10. New Responsibilities

William and Kate embark on their first major royal tour to Canada and California, where Kate faces intense global scrutiny as she debuts on the international stage. The new Duchess's natural warmth and impeccable fashion choices win over crowds from Ottawa to Los Angeles, while palace officials monitor her successful performance with relief. Hollywood royalty meets actual royalty at glamorous receptions, but the couple's most meaningful moments come during visits with disadvantaged communities. As they return to Britain, William and Kate have established themselves as the monarchy's new golden couple, ready for the responsibilities that lie ahead.

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app which says UNINTERRUPTED LISTENING. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed! You also get 20+ other shows on the network ad-free!

Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed!

Subscribe now for exclusive shows like 'Palace Intrigue,' and get bonus content from Deep Crown (our exclusive Palace Insider!) Or get 'Daily Comedy News,' and '5 Good News Stories’ with no commercials! Plans start at $4.99 per month, or save 20% with a yearly plan at $49.99. Join today and help support the show!

We now have Merch!  FREE SHIPPING! Check out all the products like T-shirts, mugs, bags, jackets and more with logos and slogans from your favorite shows! Did we mention there’s free shipping? Get 10% off with code NewMerch10 Go to Caloroga.com

Get more info from Caloroga Shark Media and if you have any comments, suggestions, or just want to get in touch our email is [e-mail]

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Calaruga Shark Media. The Royal Canadian air Force plane touched
down at Ottawa's MacDonald Cartier International Airport on June thirtieth,
twenty eleven. As the door opened and the Duke and
Duchess of Cambridge emerged at the top of the stairs,

(00:25):
a new chapter in their royal story began. This was
no longer about wedding pageantry or honeymoon privacy. This was work,
the business of representing the Queen, projecting British soft power,
and establishing their own identity as working royals on the
global stage. This is Crown and Controversy, Episode ten. New

(00:54):
responsibilities for Catherine, barely two months into her role as
Duchess of Cambridge, the pressure was immense. Every word, gesture
and outfit would be scrutinized by the world's media. The
nine day tour of Canada and California would involve more

(01:16):
than forty separate engagements, multiple wardrobe changes daily, and endless
receiving lines, all while maintaining the perfect balance of dignity
and approachability that defines successful royal visits. This tour represented
Catherine's true initiation into royal life. Noted one former Palace official.

(01:37):
The wedding was a single day of carefully managed ceremonial
This was the real work of monarchy, day after day
of meeting people, navigating protocol, and representing the institution while
never showing fatigue or frustration. William, having undertaken several royal tours,
previously understood these demands, But even for him, this tour

(02:01):
carried special significance. It was his first official overseas visit
as a married man and heir to the throne. More importantly,
it was his opportunity to show the world the working
partnership he and Kate were establishing a vision of monarchy
that balanced tradition with modernity, duty with genuine human connection.

(02:24):
The Canadian government had planned an ambitious itinerary, spanning seven
cities across five provinces and territories. From the moment they
stepped off the plane in Ottawa, where they were greeted
by Canada's Governor General and a nineteen gun salute, the
young royals were met with enthusiasm that surprised even veteran

(02:44):
royal watchers. What we witnessed in Canada was something extraordinary,
recalled one senior diplomat who accompanied the tour. It wasn't
just polite interest or traditional respect for the monarchy. There
was genuine excitement about this new generation of royals. People
connected with William and Catherine in a way that hadn't

(03:05):
happened since the early days of Diana. This connection became
evident during their first full day, July one, Canada Day,
when they appeared on Parliament Hill in Ottawa before a
crowd of more than five hundred thousand people. The sea
of red and white Canadian flags was interspersed with Union
jacks and homemade signs welcoming the royal couple. When William

(03:30):
began his speech with a few sentences in French, acknowledging
Canada's bilingual heritage, the crowd's response was rapturous. Kate, wearing
a cream dress by London designer Rice, topped with a
red maple leaf fascinator by Sylvia Fletcher, embodied diplomatic dressing,
honoring Canadian symbolism while showcasing British fashion. This thoughtful approach

(03:54):
to wardrobe would become a hallmark of her royal style,
using clothing as a form of violent diplomacy and cultural respect.
Throughout the Canadian tour, the couple's schedule balanced formal ceremonial
duties with more relaxed, interactive engagements. They laid a wreath
at the National War Memorial, attended a citizenship ceremony for

(04:16):
New Canadians, and met with veterans and military families. But
they also participated in activities that showcased their youth and accessibility.
A dragon boat race on Prince Edward Island where they
competed on opposing teams, a street hockey game in the
Northwest Territories where William took a shot on goal, and

(04:37):
a cooking workshop with culinary students in Quebec. What distinguished
this tour from previous royal visits was the genuine interest
William and Catherine showed in everyone they met, observed one
Canadian official involved in the tour's planning. They weren't just
going through the motions. They listened, asked questions, engaged in

(04:58):
real conversations. People responded to that authenticity. Behind the scenes,
the reality was more complex. Kate was undertaking a crash
course in royal duty, guided by a small entourage that
included Private Secretary Jamie Lowther Pinkerton, who had previously served

(05:18):
William and former ambassador Sir David Manning, who provided diplomatic advice.
Each evening included detailed briefings for the following day's engagements,
reviewing names, issues, and protocol requirements. According to those traveling
with the couple, Kate approached these briefings with characteristic diligence,

(05:39):
taking notes and asking insightful questions. Despite the intense scrutiny
and demanding schedule, she remained composed in public, exhibiting a
natural grace that belied her newcomer status. What people didn't
see was how hard the Duchess was working, revealed one
staff member years later. She was studying briefing papers late

(06:02):
into the night, practicing names of people she would meet,
absorbing the history and cultural sensitivities of each location, all
while managing multiple wardrobe changes and maintaining a perfect public face.
For William, watching his wife navigate these challenges brought both
pride and protective instincts. Having witnessed his mother's struggles with

(06:25):
the relentless demands of royal duty, he remained acutely conscious
of the pressures Kate faced. Throughout the tour, Observers noted
small gestures of support a guiding hand on her back,
a private smile of encouragement, a protective positioning between her
and over eager crowds. By the time the couple reached

(06:57):
Prince Edward Island on the fourth day of their tour,
a pattern had emerged. Crowds were consistently larger than expected,
media coverage was overwhelmingly positive, and the caate effect was
in full force. Items of clothing she wore sold out
within hours of being identified. The couple's easy rapport with

(07:18):
each other and with the public created an impression of
accessible royalty without sacrificing the dignity of the institution they represented.
This balance was tested when they arrived in Quebec, where
a small but vocal Republican protest awaited them. Unlike previous
royal visits that had sometimes been met with significant anti

(07:40):
monarchist sentiment in the French speaking province, the protests were minimal,
a testament to the couple's popularity even in traditionally skeptical regions.
Perhaps the most revealing moments came during their visit to
the Northwest Territories, where they spent time with indigenous communities
in remote settlements. Here, away from the formality of capital

(08:02):
cities and official receptions. William and Kate demonstrated the approach
that would come to define their royal work, genuine engagement
with social issues, respect for diverse cultures, and a willingness
to participate fully in local traditions. In Yellowknife, they joined
a DNAE Nation drum dance, watched demonstrations of traditional sports,

(08:25):
and heard from community leaders about the challenges facing northern
and Indigenous communities. Kate's attentiveness during these discussions impressed observers,
suggesting a depth of interest that went beyond ceremonial requirements
to genuine concern. What struck me was how well they listened.

(08:45):
Remembered one Indigenous leader who met with the couple. Many
dignitaries come through, shake hands and move on. The Duke
and Duchess asked thoughtful questions and seemed to truly care
about understanding our perspective. That's rare. After seven days in Canada,
where they had been guests of the Canadian government and

(09:07):
representatives of the Queen in her role as Canada's monarch,
the couple shifted to a different type of royal duty
as they arrived in California for the final leg of
their tour. Here they were representing Britain rather than the Crown,
focusing on diplomatic, cultural, and charitable connections between the United

(09:28):
Kingdom and the United States. There three days in California
were carefully crafted to balance high profile events that showcased
British interests with charitable engagements that reflected the couple's values.
They attended a UK ti UK Trade and Investment event
promoting British businesses in the United States, a charity polo

(09:49):
match supporting American Friends of the Foundation of Prince William
and Prince Harry, and a BAFTA British Academy of Film
and Television Arts reception celebrating British talent in Hollywood. This
BAFTA event at the Belasco Theater in Los Angeles became
one of the tour's most photographed moments, as Hollywood royalty,

(10:11):
including Nicole Kidman, Tom Hanks, and Jennifer Lopez lined up
to meet actual royalty. Kate, wearing an Alexander McQueen Lilac gown,
navigated the red carpet with the same composure she had
shown throughout more traditional royal engagements, yet amid the glamour,
the couple maintained their focus on substance. Their final engagement

(10:35):
in California involved visiting Inner City Arts, an organization providing
arts education to children from disadvantage communities in downtown Los Angeles. Here,
away from the Hollywood spotlight, they participated in painting and
ceramics workshops alongside children from some of the city's poorest neighborhoods.

(10:56):
That final day really encapsulated what makes William and Cathy ineffective.
As royal representatives noted one British diplomat, they can handle
the glamour and ceremonial when required, but they're at their
most authentic when connecting with people around causes they genuinely
care about, particularly involving children, mental health, and providing opportunity

(11:19):
to the disadvantaged. As the tour concluded on July tenth,
the couple boarded a flight back to the United Kingdom,
having completed what Royal correspondents unanimously declared a triumph. Over
nine days, they had undertaken forty five separate engagements, met
thousands of people, and generated global media coverage that portrayed

(11:43):
both them and the monarchy in an overwhelmingly positive light.
For Kate, the tour represented a critical milestone in her
transition from private citizen to working royal. She had navigated
the demanding schedule without a single mistep, demonstrating both the
poise required for ceremonial occasions and the warmth needed for

(12:05):
public connection. Pallas officials, who had watched nervously as she
took on this first major test, expressed private relief and
admiration at her performance. Upon their return to Britain, William

(12:29):
and Kate retreated briefly to their anglesy home, processing the
experience away from public view. William resumed his duties as
an RAF Search and rescue pilot, while Kate began the
work of reviewing the tour with her small staff, responding
to correspondence it had generated, and considering which charitable areas
she might focus on as she developed her royal role.

(12:53):
The success of the North American Tour had significant implications
for the monarchy itself. After decades marked by scandal, divorce,
and periodic questions about the institution's relevance, William and Kate
had demonstrated the Crown's capacity for renewal and connection with
contemporary society. They had preserved the dignity and tradition essential

(13:16):
to monarchy, while bringing a more relaxed, authentic approach to
royal duty. In the weeks that followed, senior royal household
officials engaged in detailed analysis of what had made the
tour so successful and how those lessons might inform future engagements.
Kate's wardrobe strategy, mixing accessible high street brands with British

(13:39):
designers incorporating symbolic nods to host nations became a template
for royal tours. The couple's willingness to participate actively in
events rather than simply observing them, was noted as particularly
effective with younger audiences. Perhaps most importantly, the genuine partnership
evident between Willimam and Kate offered a new model of

(14:02):
royal representation. Neither the traditional monarch and consort division of
roles nor the sometimes competitive dynamic that had characterized Charles
and Diana's joint appearances. Their approach suggested a more equal
modern marriage, while respecting the constitutional realities of William's position
as future king. What we witnessed on that tour was

(14:25):
the emergence of a working model that could carry the
monarchy forward for decades. Observed one longtime royal adviser. They
managed to be simultaneously traditional and contemporary, ceremonial and accessible.
That balance is extraordinarily difficult to achieve, yet they seemed
to do it naturally. For the Queen, watching from London,

(14:47):
the tourists success confirmed her decision to allow William and
Kate time to develop their royal roles gradually. Her Majesty
had deliberately shielded the couple from excessive demands in their
early married life, recognizing that a solid foundation would serve
both them and the institution better than immediate immersion in
full time royal duty. In late July, William and Kate

(15:11):
made their first post tour public appearance in the UK,
attending the wedding of the Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips to
rugby player Mike Tindall. The relaxed family event allowed them
to reconnect with the royal family while maintaining the lower
profile they had established upon returning from North America. As

(15:32):
summer turned to autumn, the couple began carefully selecting UK
engagements that would allow Kate to develop her royal role,
while William balanced these appearances with his military career. They
opened a Children's Cancer Unit at the Royal Marsden Hospital,
visited communities affected by riots in Birmingham, and attended a

(15:52):
few carefully chosen ceremonial events, including Remembrance Sunday. During this period,
they also worked with advisers to establish the framework for
their long term charitable focus. The Royal Foundation of the
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry would become
the primary vehicle for their philanthropic work, concentrating initially on

(16:15):
areas including young people, conservation and mental health. This methodical
approach reflected a clear strategy building Kate's confidence and experience
through gradually increasing exposure while protecting the couple's private life
and William's military career. Unlike Diana, who had been thrust

(16:36):
immediately into full time royal duties despite her youth and
limited preparation, Kate was being allowed to grow into her
role at a more sustainable pace. By the end of
two thousand eleven, as the couple prepared for their first
Christmas as husband and wife, they had successfully navigated the
critical transition from newlyweds to working royals. The North American

(17:01):
Tour had established their public identity. Subsequent engagements had built
on that foundation, and they had maintained the balance between
public duty and private life that William considered essential to
their happiness and effectiveness. Looking ahead to twenty twelve, significant
challenges awaited. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee would place the entire

(17:25):
royal family in the spotlight as Britain celebrated Her Majesty's
sixty years on the throne. William and Kate would play
a central role in these celebrations, undertaking an overseas tour
to Malaysia, Singapore, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu as part
of the jubilee year. Decisions about William's military career, their

(17:47):
future living arrangements in London, and the inevitable questions about
starting a family would all need to be addressed. Yet,
as their first year of marriage concluded, the couple had
as established a solid foundation for facing these challenges. They
had demonstrated their capacity to represent the monarchy effectively on

(18:08):
the global stage. They had shown how traditional royal duty
could be fulfilled with contemporary relevance, and perhaps most importantly,
they had maintained the connection and mutual support that had
characterized their relationship from its earliest days. What William and
Catherine achieved in that first year was remarkable, reflected one

(18:31):
senior Palace official. Years later, they transformed from university sweethearts
to international representatives of the monarchy without losing themselves in
the process. They established their approach to royal duty engaged, compassionate, accessible,
but dignified that continues to define their work today, and

(18:53):
they did it while preserving their relationship. As the bedrock
of everything else. For the monarchy, an institution always balancing
continuity with adaptation, William and Kate represented the promise of renewal,
a vision of how ancient traditions could remain relevant in
a rapidly changing world. For the couple themselves, the successful

(19:16):
navigation of these new responsibilities confirmed what they had long believed,
that together they could fulfill their unique destiny while maintaining
the personal happiness and normal family life they both valued.
As twoenty twelve dawned, bringing the pageantry of the Diamond
Jubilee and the global attention of the London Olympics, William

(19:37):
and Kate stood ready to build on the foundation they
had established. The learning phase of Royal Duty was giving
way to increasing confidence and clarity about their role within
the monarchy and their contribution to the institution's future. The
newlyweds had become working royals. The honeymoon was over, but

(19:58):
the journey, both personal and public, was just beginning. Next season,
on Crown and Controversy, the Duke and Duchess navigate their
first Christmas at Sandringham amid centuries of royal traditions. Prince

(20:22):
Harry's military career takes him back to the danger zones
of Afghanistan. The queens celebrate sixty historic years on the
throne as the royal family gathers on the Thames, Kensington
Palace makes a joyful announcement that will change the line
of succession forever. Kate faces a serious health crisis as
the world's media camps outside her hospital. The planet waits

(20:46):
with bated breath outside Saint Mary's Hospital as a new
royal generation prepares to enter the world. Prince George makes
his debut on the steps of the Lindo Wing. William
and Kate faced the challenges of royal parenting in the
modern age. The Duke makes a crucial decision about his
career as royal duties increase and Harry's Las Vegas escapades

(21:08):
create a crisis that forces the Prince to reconsider his
role within the royal family. While no one truly knows
what happens behind closed palace doors, This entertainment series uses
news sources on the record, quotes, and some artistic license.
Some moments have been dramatized for storytelling effect. A I

(21:30):
narration was used in creation of this series. To keep
up with the modern day Royal family. Follow our sister podcast,
Pallace Intrigue, a seven day a week, ten minute update
on the Royals, crown and Controversy, is a production of
Calaroga Shark Media Executive producers Mark Francis and John McDermott