Calgary - Prince William and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, risked upsetting their Western Canadian hosts by declining to try on the white cowboy hats presented to them by Calgary's mayor.
The royal couple, on their first official overseas tour since their April wedding, landed at Calgary's airport on Thursday where they were scheduled to take part in the city's time-honoured tradition of having visiting dignitaries try on white cowboy hats.
But William and Kate opted out. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation commentators said it would be viewed as a snub.
Miguel Head, a spokesperson for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, told The Associated Press they are looking forward to wearing the hats later on Thursday and Friday and “in no way are they snubbing what is a very honoured gift”. - Sapa-AP