Prince Edward and Princess Sophie visits Ditidaht First Nation | Ha-Shilth-Sa Newspaper

Prince Edward and Princess Sophie visits Ditidaht First Nation

Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex attended Ditidaht First Nation today to open the new community library. After the ribbon cutting, Prince Edward, the youngest son of Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Sophie toured the facility and then shared a meal with the community and their guests. Here's our story http://www.hashilthsa.com/news/2014-09-16/ditidaht-receives-british-roya...

Photos by Debora Steel

A helicopter brings Prince Edward and Princess Sophie to Ditidaht lands

Off the helicopter and onto Ditidaht territory

Prince Edward jokes with Ha'wilth Paul Tate as they greet each other at the helicopter

A crown of cedar for Princess Sophie

After greeting the Prince and Princess, Jack Thompson, Paul Tate and Phillip Edgar lead the way to the community

Elders, dignitaries and guests watch on as the Prince and Princess take to the stage

Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon accompanied the Prince and Princess to the community

Children watched as the Ditidaht community welcomed the Prince and Princess

Chief Jack Thompson sings a Welcome to Prince Edward and Princess Sophie

Watching over the Paddle Song, the welcome dance for the Prince and Princess

Ditidaht Singers welcome Prince Edward and Princess Sophie

Princess Sophie watches the singers during the welcome song

A Paddle Dance to welcome Their Royal Highnesses

The students of Ditidaht School present Their Highnesses with a paddle through speaker Phillip Edgar.

Ditidaht Paddle Club members are called forward so Prince Edward could congratulate them on their accomplishments

The Prince and Princess present Ditidaht with graphite paddles for their paddle club.

Princess Sophie speaks with children before she opens the new library

Princess Sophie speaks to a girl holds one end of the ribbon

The Earl and Countess of Wessex, Prince Edward and Princess Sophie, join dignitaries to cut the ribbon of the new library at Ditidaht

Princess Sophie reads a story to some of the children in the new community library

The library committee with the Earl of Wessex

Chief Jack Thompson shows Prince Edward community member's photos on the walls of the library

Having a good chat with the Earl of Wessex

Princess Sophie and Debra Foxcroft, NTC president

NTC President Debra Foxcroft with the Countess of Wessex, Princess Sophie

The Rotary Club of North Delta was critical to the development of the library. Dot with the Rotary reads with the kids.

A surprise for the kids of Ditidaht... A recreation room. Prince Edward watches over the action

Speaking about canoes with Princess Sophie

Princess Sophie poses with the Ditidaht Paddle Club and the canoe named Princess

Watching the skills of the Ditidaht Paddle Club

A paddle with the Ditidaht Paddle Club

Princess Sophie in the canoe named Princess

Princess Sophie with the paddling competitors from Ditidaht that went to North American Indigenous Games

Entering the school gym for a lunch with the community

A dinner song, dance

Prince Edward and Ha'wilth Paul Tate

Luncheon with royalty

Gifts for royalty

Artist presents a paddle to their Royal Highnesses, saying it's the only carving that I've ever finished.

Teacher Eva Clarke who had the dream to build a community library at Ditidaht

Hereditary Chief Paul Tate receives a gift from Prince Edward

Princess Sophie, hereditary chief Paul Tate, the Earl of Wessex Prince Edward, and speaker Phillip Edgar

Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon presents elected Chief Jack Thompson

Gifts were happily and gratfullly received

The Princess and Prince spent the time to pose for photos with community members

NTC President Debra Foxcroft and Vice President Ken Watts presents Princess Sophie with a gift from the tribal council

A goodbye wave from the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward.

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