Kate Middleton and Prince William captivated by dancing children in Yukon

Captivated: William and Kate were treated to an elaborate welcoming ceremony in Carcross Commons in the Yukon
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Robert Jobson29 September 2016

Prince William and Kate were today captivated by tiny Tagish dancers as they visited Carcross Commons on their Canadian tour.

The royal couple enjoyed a 'raven' and 'wolf' dance from a troupe of four to seven-year-olds dressed in traditional Tagish First Nation cloaks and headdresses.

The Duke and Duchess clapped and cheered as they experienced the ceremonial welcome beneath an elaborately carved totem pole.

They were welcomed to the town by Carcross Tagish nation chief Andy Carvill and wife Corrine who led them to a seating area in the Main Street for an arranged ceremony.

Royal visit: The couple visited as part of their eight-day Canadian tour
PA

Earlier, the couple were mobbed when they were given a rock star welcome as thousands lined the streets of remote Whitehorse, also in the Yukon.

Mr Carvill said: "We are honoured to have you here as our honoured guests.

"We'd like to open with our Dakhka Khwaan dance group who are world renowned."

Spellbound: A troupe of children performed a welcome dance for the couple
PA

The troupe danced down the street, banging drums on their elaborate button cloaks, masks and moccasins.

At one point the lead dancer, his face elaborately painted, apologised to VIPS at the front as they got so close.

"Sorry guys, didn't know you were going to be there," he laughed.

Kate and William laughed and smiled as a male dancer with a crow's head and another with a wolf's head had a pretend fight as feathers flew out of the 'crow's' mouth

Honoured: Officials said they were honoured by the royal couple's visit
PA

Then it was the turn of the children.

Ten "pre-schoolers" held crow and Raven wings as they performed a "Raven dance".

At one point William pointed out a little boy at the back who was 'crowing' at his friend and Kate giggled.

They sung in their Tlingit First Nation language before starting a "wolf" song where they all roared, much to the royal couple's delight.

Chief Carvill then appealed for the couple to help getting First Nation governments recognised.

He said: "I know you're going to love the view on Montana mountain and meet the youth.

Meet and greet: The couple earlier received a rapturous applause in Whitehorse, also in the Yukon
PA

"We're honoured you're here to meet the elders. We have struggled as a nation but we're coming out the other side, with our culture, songs and dances.

"We ask that you assist us and help us to build that relationship with the crown.

“We're still looking for recognition, protection of our land and our peoples. We need to protect this land and this beauty.

"We're optimistic that we can do that for the children who were dancing and singing here. We want the recognition as a government."

Greetings: William and Kate meet residents in Carcrass Commons
PA

Then he presented the couple with a 22 inch killer whale totem pole, created by master craftsman Keith Wolfe-Smarch, whom the couple met later.

One fan was granted a dream wish when she was hugged by the couple.

Gwen Wally, 48, from the Carcross Tagish First Nation shouted out to Prince William, interrupting as he and Kate were chatting to her son, Shane Wally.

"I love you. I loved your mum. I've been watching you since you were little," she shouted.

"Is that your mother?" William asked, laughing.

William and Kate walked across to a group of parents and grandparents involved in the project, including Mrs Wally.

They hugged her and another member of the Carcross First Nation band, Susan James.

Mrs Wally told the royal couple: "You just made the top of my bucket list. I've been following you since the days of Diana."

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