It’s set to be a busy year of travel for Prince William and Duchess Catherine as they enjoy a well-deserved family holiday before heading off to Canada later this year for an official royal tour.
After a busy few months for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the doting parents have decided to whisk Prince George and Princess Charlotte off for a lovely summer holiday.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine boarded a private Cessna plane with the children to take them for a much needed break.
The plane, worth $15 million, belongs to a family friend, the Duke of Westminster.
According to a French newspaper, on their arrival, the royals were greeted by a full security detail, including royal protection officers and a group of Scotland Yard personnel.
They were apparently swiftly ushered into two waiting blacked-out Range Rovers that were registered in William’s name.
It isn’t known whether the royal nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, was accompanying Prince George and Princess Charlotte on the trip, or if it was just for the family.
Local publications reported that the family of four were visiting France to drop in on friends and relatives in the country.
The last time the couple visited France, it was a somber occasion. Watch Prince William and Duchess Catherine pay their respects at Somme, then post continues.
The French countryside has always held a warm place in Kate and Wills’ hearts, and the couple took their first holiday as a family of four their earlier this year.
The 34-year-old parents had a ball with Charlotte and George, laughing and playing in the snow of the French Alps.
Meanwhile, the well-travelled couple have just announced they’ve accepted an invitation to visit Canada for their next royal tour.
This will be their second tour of the country, with the parents of two having visited previously in 2011. The exact date has not yet been confirmed.
The palace tweeted: “The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Canada this autumn at the invitation of the Canadian Government. TRH hold very happy memories from their last visit to Canada in 2011 – their first overseas tour as a married couple.”
“The Duke and Duchess look forward to exploring more of Canada, from British Columbia to the territory of Yukon, when they return this autumn.”
In a statement, Canadian Governor General David Johnston said, “Sharon and I will be delighted to welcome Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Canada.
“Their royal tour will take them to the beautiful province of British Columbia and the scenic territory of Yukon. Once again, our true Canadian pride and spirit will shine and be at the very heart of this visit so they can feel at home.”
Speculation has already mounted as to whether they’ll bring along their two children. Although they didn’t bring George and Charlotte to India earlier in the year, George did accompany them on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014.
Check out the gorgeous footage of the royal couple’s first trip to Canada as newlyweds.
A version of this was first published on Woman’s Day.