British Royals Head Home after Visit to Canada

Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate left British Columbia's capital Saturday to the cheers of a crowd as they headed home after weeklong visit.

The royal couple and their small children George and Charlotte boarded a hydroplane -- the capital city Victoria is on an island in the Pacific -- to head to the mainland and take a Canadian government jet back to Britain.

The family has spent a week touring nature sites in British Columbia and the Yukon territory, meeting with everyday Canadians, some of them enduring hard times.

The government, criticized for hosting the costly visit -- the couple's previous visit in 2011 cost 1.2 million Canadian dollars (800,000 euros) -- gave the couple a going away gift.

It was a donation of 100,000 Canadian dollars that will go to two charities in Canada, benefiting indigenous people and immigrants.

"Canadians have a real affection for the royal family, which was once again very much on display during this tour," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.