Commonwealth trip on cards for royal couple

Prince William and Kate Middleton are likely to visit a major Commonwealth country such as Canada in the months following their wedding.

By The Newsroom

Published 1st Feb 2011, 07:46 BST

Updated 1st Feb 2011, 07:46 BST

The couple are expected to fly out to the country in the summer where Miss Middleton – the future Queen of Canada – will be introduced to the nation.

The North American country is a realm, meaning it has the UK monarch as its head of state and sovereign, and William is not a foreign royal but a prince of Canada in his own right.

In recent years, the monarch and the Prince of Wales have visited the country to maintain links with its people.

The Queen toured the nation last July and in 2009 Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall spent 11 days in the country.

William and his fiancee are said to be planning to travel to Canada in July for a two-week visit that will take them right across the country, according a Sunday newspaper.

The trip would be Miss Middleton's first official overseas tour as a member of the Royal Family.

A St James's Palace spokeswoman declined to comment.