By The Canadian Press

Prince William, Kate to bring children on upcoming Canada tour of B.C., Yukon

Sep 12, 2016 | 1:05 PM

VANCOUVER — The royal couple is scheduled for a busy tour of British Columbia and Yukon, with bear watching and fishing included in the itinerary for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are also set to visit Vancouver’s infamous Downtown Eastside.

Full details of their trip have been released by Kensington Palace, which confirms that Prince William and his wife Kate will bring their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, as they arrive on the afternoon of Sept. 24.

“This visit is a chance for the duke and duchess to deepen their relationship with a country that they will visit many times over the course of their lives,” the release says.

The family is to be based in Victoria, but will spend the first full day in Vancouver at a civic welcome downtown before visiting the Downtown Eastside charity Sheway, which helps mothers fighting addiction.

The couple also plans to stop at the newly reopened Kitsilano coast guard station and at the Immigration Services Society of B.C., where they’ll meet with staff and volunteers who help thousands of migrants moving to Canada each year.

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In addition to trips to Bella Bella and the Great Bear Rainforest, the royal couple is also scheduled to spend a day in Kelowna before flying to Whitehorse on Sept. 27.

The announcement of the itinerary comes on the same day B.C. Premier Christy Clark announced the Great Bear Rainforest has been named as Canada’s commitment to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy, part of a network of forest conservation initiatives involving all 53 countries of the Commonwealth.

Before leaving the islands of Haida Gwaii off the northern coast of B.C., the royals will travel in a traditional Haida canoe, open a hospital and experience some world-class fishing on the waters of Hecate Strait.

In Yukon, they are set to stop at the MacBride Museum and its telegraph office, following in the footsteps of the Queen and Prince Philip, who toured the same office in 1959.

Events for Prince George and Princess Charlotte are also planned, with the youngsters and their parents attending a children’s party in Victoria on Sept. 29.

“They have received so many wonderful messages from Canadians since the birth of their children and look forward to having the chance to introduce their young family to the country,” the statement says.

The couple will also be attending various cultural performances, government receptions and even a wine tasting in B.C.’s Okanagan.

Organizing officials say there will be glimpses of the children, but the only official confirmed opportunities for the public to see them will be at the family’s arrival and departure.

British Columbia’s Premier Christy Clark said the tour presents a unique opportunity for the duke and duchess to learn more about the province’s diverse urban, rural and remote wilderness regions.

“I know all British Columbians will extend a warm welcome to their royal highnesses as we share the very best of our province,” she said in a news release.