Kate to Trace Grandfather’s History in Canada

As part of their first official visit overseas, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will spend nine days visiting Canada, part of which will be spent tracing Kate’s grandfather’s roots in Western Canada.

Kate’s grandfather, Flying Officer Middleton, served in the RAF and was responsible for training British pilots during his time stationed in the No. 37 Service Flying School in Calgary, Alberta.  In 1942, when the senior Middleton was just 22, he spent over two years as an instructor, training Spitfire, Hurricane, and Lancaster pilots.

Kate, who is said to have been close to her grandfather prior to his death, delayed by several days her engagement announcement last Winter when her grandfather took ill and passed away at age 90.

During WWII, Officer Middleton was among a group of elite RAF top guns who were used to nudge the wings of unmanned German flying missiles off course from their London destination.

During their trip to Canada, the Royal newlyweds will also visit the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Ottawa in Ontario, before continuing on to California in the United States.