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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - "He shook my hand. He's beautiful. Oh, he's so handsome," swooned Joyce Sklapsky of Grimshaw, Alta., after Prince William passed by the throngs of cheering people from both near and far who came to catch a glimpse, and perhaps a handshake from the royal couple.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent an afternoon at Blachford Lake July 5 to learn about the land-based university Dechinta program, see a demonstration from Canadian Rangers, take part in a canoe ride and feast on Arctic char and bannock. - Heather Lange/NNSL photo

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stopped in Yellowknife on Monday night, taking part in a full day of activities and events Tuesday before leaving Wednesday morning. The NWT was the couple's sixth and penultimate visit on their eight-stop, nine-day Canadian tour. The fire-devastated town of Slave Lake was put on the itinerary last week so the royal couple could meet with residents.

The tour officially wrapped up on Friday in Calgary, when the couple headed south for Los Angeles.

Although the skies were grey as the duke and duchess took their first steps North of 60 on Monday, the skies cleared and temperatures soared under a bright sun on Tuesday as the official welcoming took place outside city hall in the capital city.

People in Yellowknife, and those throughout the territory, across the country and around the world couldn't take their eyes off the glamorous pair as the couple immersed themselves in the moment, a change from the more ceremonious and formal visits of previous members of the monarchy. Whether it was Catherine Middleton and Prince William taking the time to shake hundreds of hands and spark conversation with the crowds lining the walkways, the duchess light-heartedly dropping a ball for a game of ball hockey or Prince William taking a few shots on Calvin Loman of Fort Liard, the pair seemed real, personable.

Prince William said a few words to the captivated crowds in Yellowknife's downtown.

"It's great to be North of 60," he said to resounding cheers.

"This place is what Canada is all about: vast open beauty; tough, resilient, friendly peoples," he continued, finishing his remarks with a "mahsi cho" to the crowd's delight.

Premier Floyd Roland also addressed the crowds and the duke and duchess spoke of the "special relationship and long history" the NWT has with the royal family.

"I hope you feel confident not to just observe our culture, but to experience it," Roland said to the pair.

There was a bit of both as the day's events continued.

The royal couple saw Arctic sports such as Alaskan high-kick, the reverent sounds of an opening prayer and intricate drum dancing from the Paulatuk Moonlight Drummers and Dancers, moose hide traditional clothing and colourful beading, handgames, a lighthearted game of street hockey and a debate by youth parliamentarians.

Emily Sturgeon of Fort Smith returned to the legislative assembly to debate in front of a special audience on Tuesday. The same 19 youth parliamentarians from across the NWT sat back in their seats to discuss what courses should be mandatory in Northern schools.

At a reception in the Great Hall after the debate, Sturgeon had a chance to speak with Prince William.

"He asked me what it was like speaking publicly and I said it was nerve-wracking and he said, 'Tell me about it,'" said Sturgeon. "It's definitely a moment to remember."

The royal couple, along with a cluster of security and hundreds of accredited journalists toured the city but also took a break from the hustle and bustle of Yellowknife to slow down at Blachford Lake Lodge, a 20-minute plane ride to the east of the capital. The duke and duchess learned of the land-based university Dechinta program, took a private canoe ride with elder Francois Paulette and saw demonstrations from a group of Canadian Rangers from across the NWT.

The territory is no stranger to royal visits. Queen Elizabeth visited in 1959, 1970 and 1994 while Prince Charles was here in 1970, 1975 and 1979. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, however, seem to have instilled a new wave of royal excitement as the young, glamorous couple, who graciously shook hundreds of hands on Tuesday, brought a new wave of royal excitement.

The GNWT estimates the media exposure of the visit is worth at least $1 million in global advertising, allowing the territory to showcase what it has to offer.

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