Blog: The Royal tour of Canada is certainly hitting the headlines, with in-depth coverage on what William and Kate are getting up to on their trip.

In minute detail, we can follow what they are doing, who they are talking to and, of course, examine Kate’s carefully chosen outfits and immaculate hair.

But for the every day Canadian, the Royal visit is just something happening in the background.

Nobody I’ve spoken to here is particularly bothered, although they all admit to having caught some of the news.

One colleague commented that Kate hasn’t worn many hats and even said he liked her casual ponytail.

But perhaps the lack of interest is because the couple hasn’t chosen to visit Saskatchewan.

William and Kate in Yellowknife

I’m sure if they had planned a visit to Moose Jaw or even nearby Regina, the atmosphere here would be electric, as I’ve witnessed in the eastern provinces the couple has already visited.

The Globe and Mail, Canada’s National newspaper, used the visit to write a feature about Anne of Green Gables, which is apparently the reason the couple chose to visit Prince Edward Island, where the novel is set.

The paper declares that the “irrepressible redhead of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s century-old novel will occupy her (Kate’s) thoughts as she takes in dragon-boat races, smudging ceremonies, culinary demonstrations and all the other well-ordered activities a tiny province throws at visiting grandees”.

The couple were certainly in Canada on the right day. July 1 is Canada Day and is an occasion celebrated across the country as families gather together for a barbecue and towns organise parades and fireworks.

With the extra bonus of the Royal couple in Ottawa for July 1, the city was awash with red and white flags, matched by Kate’s fetching outfit with maple leaf red fascinator.

The news coverage has been quick to point out that the Reiss dress she wore was the one chosen for her engagement pictures. They also mentioned her makeup melted in the heat.

While Prince William and Kate have been welcomed by thousands of people in most of the cities they have visited, a few protesters gathered in Quebec City to protest at their visit.

The Globe and Mail said an estimated 300,000 people greeted the couple in Ottawa but in Quebec City the visit attracted at best, a few thousand while in Montreal, the crowds were apparently only in the hundreds.

A poll published in the Montreal daily newspaper La Presse found that 58 per cent of Quebeckers think Canada should sever ties with the British monarchy, compared to only 33 per cent in the rest of the country.

But several comments from people in Quebec City have pointed out only a small minority protested and the welcome for the couple from the rest of the city was sincere.

In general, the visit must be doing good for the monarchy and showing Prince William and Kate as a vibrant and fun-loving couple. All the commentary says how relaxed they are when talking to people and that they truly seem in love.

The caring couple has also added a visit to Slave Lake, Alberta, which is in the midst of rebuilding itself after wildfires ravaged the town.

They will make the stop today, Wednesday, between Yellowknife and Calgary, where their tour ends.

As a search and rescue helicopter pilot, Prince William is keen to talk to emergency crews.

The couple’s visit to Calgary is the closest they came to me, but it’s about a six hour drive from Moose Jaw and, unfortunately, we weren’t able to make it.

I’m sure they’ll enjoy the Calgary Stampede, which I certainly hope to visit in the future.

Of course, the other inevitable result of their visit is the talk about babies. Kate has sparked a media frenzy by apparently saying she hopes to start a family.

There are rumours that the family planning may have begun already.

In fact, all she said – in response to a comment from a man wishing her well in her efforts to start a family – was “Yes, I hope to,” which, realistically, is exactly what she would say. She didn’t say “Yes, I hope to soon” and she was hardly likely to say “No, I don’t want to.”

No doubt people will be on baby watch until the moment the newest member of the Royal family is officially announced by the palace.

But, as my colleague said, if the child is conceived in Canada, that surely means the baby will be Canadian and should certainly increase the monarchy’s popularity in the country.