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When you want to strengthen your political ties these days, sending a head of state to shake hands and kiss some babies might get the job done.
But a duke, a duchess and their adorable children? Now that's another matter entirely.
Royal fans in Canada were in raptures after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge touched down in their country this weekend with their tots in tow.
A photo posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on
But not all the locals were pleased to see the little family.
On the second day of William and Kate's tour, protesters gathered outside the Immigration Services Society in British Columbia, MailOnline reports. The group, wearing hoods and masks chanted and waved posters and even a makeshift guillotine. They're believed to be from the country's Youth Communist League. Thankfully, George (3) and Charlotte (16 months) weren't around for the spectacle. The pigeon pair had stayed behind with the nanny while their mom and dad took a seaplane for the 35-minute Victoria to Vancouver trip.
A photo posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on
William and Kate seemed unshaken by the protesters, who reportedly shouted, "No Kings No Landlords" and "we should not celebrate the royals".
Anti-Royalist protesters brandish makeshift guillotine as they storm day 2 of Duke and #DuchessofCambridge's tour pic.twitter.com/cUs6qCsL32 — Hans Solo (@thandojo) September 26, 2016
The parents and their children are in the country -- a a federal parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy -- to cement political ties.
Canada is on of Queen Elizabeth II's 16 realms and she is effectively head of state, even though the country became fully independent through the Constitution Act of 1982.
Despite the protests, William and Kate still managed to spent time at the Immigrant Services Society with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie Gregoire-Trudeau, on Sunday.
According to the Vancouver Sun, the centre functions as a "regional hub for transitional housing and support services", and has 16 housing units, trauma support and youth programs for immigrants.
During the visit, William and Kate spent time with some of the thousands of Syrian refuges who have arrived at the centre from the UN's refugee agency camps.
The Canadian tour marks the royals' first tour as a family of four and little Charlotte's first tour altogether.
While Prime Minster Trudeau invited the royal family to visit Canada himself, his new government caused controversy when they removed the Queen's portrait from its foreign affairs department lobby after the election.
They replaced the portrait with two paintings by a Quebec artist, which the ministry said was intended to "showcase Canada".
It seems to have had no bearing on Will and Kate's visit, and the pair seemed to be getting along swimmingly with Trudeau and his wife.
Earlier in Victoria, the duke spoke to the thousands who had gathered outside the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia.
"When we were here last time, we had been married only three months. The warm welcome that you gave us at that important moment in our lives meant a lot to us - and we have never forgotten it." he said.
That is why we are so pleased that George and Charlotte can be with us in Canada this time round, beginning their own lifetime of friendship with this wonderful country."
The couple and their children are expected to stay in the country for eight days.
''The tour will see them take in everything from the bustling global city of Vancouver -- population 2.5 million -- to the emote and beautiful Bella Bella, home to less than 2 000 people, "a Kensington Palace spokesman said.
"Along the way they will meet as many Canadians as possible, and will help celebrate Canada's First Nations communities, its arts and culture, pristine and beautiful environment, and its compassionate and innovative charitable sector."
Sources: MailOnline, The Sun, Vancouver Sun
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