Ottawa: Newlyweds Prince William and Kate Middleton's upcoming visit to Canada, their first official tour abroad, is attracting strong interest from around the world.
The Canadian government said on Tuesday that journalists from China, Japan, India and Qatar are among the 241 foreign media representatives who have been accredited to cover the June 30-July 8 visit of Prince William and Kate, now known officially as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The government, however, may be wary that the royal couple may not get a warm welcome from some Canadians, especially in French-speaking Quebec, where many are uneasy about having a British monarch as the country's head of state.
When asked about such opposition, Heritage Minister James Moore said on Tuesday: "The question of the crown is always a subject of debate, especially in Quebec... All I'm asking is that people in Canada who have opinions about it be respectful."
Prince William and Kate's visit will be the third royal visit to Canada in the past 18 months.
"The royal couple's decision to visit Canada first as newlyweds is a testament to our country's close relationship with the royal family, and is a chance for all Canadians to take pride in our institutions," Moore said.
The visit is attracting 12 times more foreign journalists than covered Queen Elizabeth's last tour of Canada in 2010. Approximately 1,300 journalists in total are accredited, compared with 848 for the Queen's tour.
Prince William and Kate will arrive in Ottawa on June 30. They will join Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill on July 1.
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