Royal Couple Prince William, Kate Greeted by Separatist Protesters in Quebec
Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were met by protesters Saturday in the French-speaking province of Quebec as they visited a children's hospital.
The British royal couple was met by the protestors as they continued their nine-day journey through Canada on their first official overseas trip.
The protesters consisted of members of the separatist group Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois, or Quebecker Resistance Network.
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The group chanted, “A united people will never be vanquished,” as they waited for Prince William outside Sainte-Justine University Hospital Centre in Montreal.
They also carried signs saying: “Parasites go home,” and “Your fortune came from the blood of our ancestors.”
The protest, however, did not dampen the mood for hundreds of royal supporters that gathered to greet Prince William and Kate as they made their way in to visit cancer patients and the neonatal department.
Quebec has a long tradition of being the most active province in Canada that opposes ties with the British monarchy. Canada still officially recognizes Queen Elizabeth II of Britain as its head of state, and when new Canadian citizens participate in their swearing in ceremony, they pledge allegiance to the Queen.
On Friday, the royal couple attended events marking Canada Day and attended a citizenship ceremony near Ottawa. They presented national flags to 25 new Canadians, with Kate wearing a white dress and red hat - the colors of Canada's flag - and the Queen's maple leaf brooch.
Friday marked Canada’s 144th birthday.
