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Royal Visit 2016 Day 1: Will and Kate arrive in Victoria, B.C.

Click to play video: 'Prince William and Kate along with Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive in Victoria'
Prince William and Kate along with Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive in Victoria
WATCH ABOVE: Prince William and Kate along with their two children, George and Charlotte, step off the plane in Victoria, B.C. to begin their royal visit to Canada – Sep 24, 2016

For a look ahead at Day 2 of the Royal Visit click here

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, arrived at Victoria Airport on Day 1 of the Royal Visit 2016 amid the excitement of thousands of royal fans.

The Royal Family was met by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, B.C. Premier Christy Clark and her son, Hamish, and Governor-General David Johnston and his wife, Sharon.

Watch below: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte, arrived at Victoria Airport on Day 1 of the Royal Visit to Canada. Keith Baldrey has a recap of their day.

Click to play video: 'Day one of the Royal Visit to Canada'
Day one of the Royal Visit to Canada

READ MORE: Full coverage of the royal visit

Prince William walked out of the plane holding Prince George hand while Kate carried Princess Charlotte down the stairs to the tarmac.

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PHOTOS: Will, Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte land in Victoria

Kate wore a blue Jenny Packham ‎dress and blue hat by Lock and Co. along with the Queen’s maple leaf brooch, according to Kensington Palace.

Scroll down to see a photo gallery of royal fans 

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Premier Clark was ready to greet them when she arrived just before 3 p.m. and weighed in on selfie etiquette and fashion in a personal interview with Global News.

Click to play video: 'What Premier Christy Clark wants Prince William and Kate to remember about B.C.'
What Premier Christy Clark wants Prince William and Kate to remember about B.C.

Crowds of people surrounded the blue gates on the lawn of the legislature, holding British Columbian and Canadian flags. The first fans arrived at 4:30 a.m.–almost 12 hours ahead of the royals’ scheduled landing.

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The royal couple travelled to Victoria with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Their next stop was Government House – where they will be based throughout the tour – for a very brief stop to drop off their children.

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PHOTOS: Will, Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte land in Victoria

Watch below: Will and Kate arrive to cheers at the B.C. legislature in Victoria, lay a wreath at the Cenotaph and walk the red carpet

Just after 5 p.m. they visited the B.C. legislature where they officially opened the tour by paying their respects at Victoria’s Cenotaph and unveiled a plaque paying tribute to the veterans of Canada’s involvement in the Afghanistan conflict.

Gallery below: Photos of the royal fans ahead of Will and Kate’s arrival at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria

This official welcome was open to the public and featured an honor guard and speeches.

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“Catherine and I are delighted to be back in Canada,” Prince William said in his address to the crowd.

“We are so pleased that George and Charlotte can be with us…beginning their own lifetime of friendship with this wonderful country.”

Watch below: Prince William jokes about his rusty French, Justin Trudeau offers parenting advice and Christy Clark goes back in history

He said they have asked to meet “as many people from as many walks of life” as they can while on their tour.

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, seen in the crowd at the B.C. Legislature Sept. 24, 2016. Jamie Forsythe / Global News
The Duchess of Cambridge on the red carpet on Day 1 of the 2016 royal visit to Canada. Sonia Deol / Global News

Following the event, Their Royal Highnesses returned to Government House, where they were set to meet with senior Canadian leaders.

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Watch below: Turns out not everyone in the large crowd at the B.C. Legislature in Victoria was waiting to see Prince William and Kate…

Click to play video: 'Royal Visit: Who are you excited to see? Justin Trudeau!'
Royal Visit: Who are you excited to see? Justin Trudeau!
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