Royals to spend just three days in U.S. on tour
The official schedule for Prince William and Catherine's trip to North America next month has been released.
It's the first to the continent together for the new royal couple. It's also the first time Kate Middleton's been across the pond. But they're only spending a short time in the U.S.
Why is that?
CBS News Royal Contributor Victoria Arbiter said on "The Early Show" it's surprising the only place they're visiting in the U.S. is Los Angeles, but it's because of the jam-packed trip's scheduling and the city's location.
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The couple will arrive in Ottawa on July 1 to celebrate Canada's Independence Day, then go to Montreal the next day for its annual jazz festival. On July 3, they head to Quebec City and, as the U.S. is celebrating its independence from Britain on July 4, Prince William and Kate will be in Yellowknife, the capital of the Northwest Territories. On July 8, they visit Calgary, then go to Los Angeles for three days of charity and business-related appearances.
"They're coming from Calgary, almost all the way over to the West Coast," Arbiter said. "But als,o Harry was in New York last year and the year before, and we've just had Charles in D.C. It's time to show the West Coast a little love and a huge British presence in L.A. -- whether it's creatively, William is president of BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts). He's going to be attending a black tie gala dinner in support of BAFTA and also, just in terms of British industry over there, so I think it's a good starting point for them, and with only three days, it was a good place for them to be."
Through the whirlwind of traveling and press appearances since their extravagant wedding in April, Arbiter said,Kate Middleton has remained a press darling in her new role as the Duchess of Cambridge.
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In recent weeks, Middleton, Arbiter said, has been "thrown in the deep end in terms of royal commitments."
"They had their very first foundation dinner, which was last Thursday, Trooping the Colour (parade), the queen's official birthday, Prince Philip's service at Thanksgiving for his birthday, she slipped in a private wedding, William slipped in a polo match and then, Monday was the Order of the Garter Service. It was a lot of stuff all in one fell swoop. She looked fabulous. She recycled her fashion."
Arbiter added, "She wore British fashion. She wore the (black) hat twice. Also, the blue brocade coat she wore to Philip's birthday Thanksgiving service, that's been seen before. Also, the dress underneath was what she was wearing the day after the wedding when she left. ... We're seeing Kate really being concerned with making sure she's reusing fashion, but keeping it British."
This trip will be "all about business," Arbiter said, but it's also a chance for the couple to be together and have fun as they promote the best of everything that's British.
"Early Show" co-anchor Erica Hill noted the couple is only bringing seven staff members with them on the trip. She asked, "Is that a lot or a little?"
"It's very few and surprising group as well," Arbiter said. "Charles and Diana would take 20, 22 people. Diana on a solo visit would take seven, but that would include a lady in waiting, a dresser, someone to handle the bags, a hairdresser. William and Kate's service is pretty much made up of press secretaries and private secretaries, just to make sure everything's running smoothly. The only person there to assist Kate is her hairdresser. So it is a very slim line group."
Hill said, "It's a very tight-knit group, which is keeping who they are, like to keep a tight circle."
Arbiter replied, "Yes, they do."