Prince William displays chopper flying skills

Britain’s newly married royal couple continued to wow Canadians during their nine-day official visit to different provinces. Prince William amazed them with his helicopter-flying skills, while Kate was admired for her fashion sense on Monday.

Crowds cheered when the Duke of Cambridge displayed a gentle landing of the Sea King on the lake as part of their Prince Edward Island visit. His other helicopter tricks include water taxiing and landing and taking off with one engine shut down.

The prince acquired his helicopter flying skills from his training at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell and the Royal Air Force where he is a member of No. 22 Squadron performing co-pilot duties on a Sea King search-and-rescue chopper.

Later the couple joined in a dragon boat race with the prince and his wife riding different vessels. Prince William’s team won the race.

Kate appropriately wore a nautical dress while visiting the Maritime province. She had a cream colored knit dress made by Sarah Burton of Alexander McQueen, the same designer of her wedding gown. The dress had a necktie with an anchor and navy trim, and navy stripes around the sleeves and waistband.

The duchess also wore diamond and sapphire earnings, and blue pumps.

She later changed into a black and grey Nike windbreaker, slim navy trousers, navy-belted trenchcoat, red scarf and beiege and white deck shoes for the dragon boat rice, while William put on a checked shirt.

William and Kate begin Canadian tour

Prince William and wife Kate started on Thursday their nine-day Canadian tour by visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The British royals were greeted by a crowd estimated at about 6,000 people lining the fence of the memorial. They were greeted and escorted by Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his wife, Laureen, and Governor General David Johnston.

The newly wed couple laid a wreath and floral spray at the base of the tomb, which contains the remains of a Canadian soldier killed in World War I. After the rite, William and Kate met with Mabel Girouard, a mother, who represented all mothers who lost their children in military service.

Girouard, from New Brunswick, lost her son, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Michael Girouard, in a 2006 mine explosion in Afghanistan.

Prince William, who addressed the crowd, said he hoped he will improve his ability to speak the French language during his stay in Canada. French is one of the two official languages of Canada.

It is the first official overseas visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge since their royal wedding in April. While in Ottawa, they are staying at the Government House, which is also known as Rideau Hall.

Shanghai Expo Opens To Expected Millions

Shanghai Expo Opens To Expected Millions. The Shanghai World Expo opened Friday, with pavilions and exhibitions from more than 192 countries and 50 international organizations on display to wow the expected millions of visitors.
It is estimated the government spent some $58 billion for the event, rivaling Beijing’s 2008 Olympics. Spokesperson Xu Wei described the exposition as “a big platform, a big event for cultural exchanges.” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Jiang Yu said foreign leaders visiting China will attend the opening ceremony

Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday voiced confidence of Shanghai hosting an “unforgettable” World Expo, which he said would bridge China and the world. Hu addressed a welcoming dinner for foreign dignitaries who would attend the opening ceremony of the Shanghai Expo on Friday evening. Hu and his wife Liu Yongqing shook hands with visiting foreign guests before the dinner. “I am confident that, with concerted efforts, people around the world will witness a successful, splendid and unforgettable World Expo,” said the President, giving a toast at the dinner. In the past eight years, China has mobilized resources throughout the country and pooled the wisdom of the world, he said. As the first registered World Expo hosted by a developing country, the Shanghai Expo will be “an opportunity for China and also for the world,” Hu said. At this Expo, China will present to the world a country with 5,000-year history, which is enjoying fast development and changes through reform and opening-up, he said. The Expo will serve as a bridge for China to learn the good experience of other countries and engage in exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world, he said. A record number of 189 nations and 57 international organizations participate in the Expo in Shanghai, China’s business hub. In next six months, 70 million visitors are estimated to tour the Expo venues. “The World Expo is a grand event to showcase the best achievements of human civilization. It is also a great occasion for people from around the world to share joy and friendship,” he said. It will offer a platform for all countries and regions to fully exhibit their achievements in urban civilization, share best practices and spread advanced ideas on urban development, he said. “We will learn from each other, draw on each other’s strengths and explore new models of housing, living and working for mankind in the new century,” he said. Hu said he believed this Expo would contribute to interactions and mutual learning between Chinese and people of other countries, as well as among different civilizations. Hu pledged that China would make continued effort to improve the livelihood of its 1.3 billion people and make greater and new contribution to the world peace and development. The country would remain committed to the path of peaceful development and a win-win strategy of opening up, he said.

Hungarian pavilion

Australian pavilion

Austrian pavilion

Belgium & European Union pavilion

Brazil pavilion (PDF)

Chilean pavilion (NEW)

Canada pavilion

Canada pavilion press

Croatia pavilion -press release

Czech pavilion press release

Czech pavilion offical press release

Danish pavilion