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The Duke of Cambridge heads toward a Sea King helicopter in Dalvay by-the-Sea, P.E.I. Monday, July 4, 2011.Paul Chiasson

The crowd let out a cheer as the lumbering helicopter, with Prince William at the controls, settled to a gentle landing in the lake.

The visiting royal is a search-and-rescue pilot and jumped at the chance to undergo so-called 'waterbird' training, which is done only in PEI

He later went head-to-head with his new bride, the Duchess of Cambridge, in a dragon-boat race on the same lake. It was a close-fought battle that ended with his crew edging to victory. The rivalry was forgotten moments later, though, as he put his arm around her in the pelting rain.

A large invited crowd, unfazed by the gloomy weather, watched the series of events from the shores of the lake.

The royals had lunched with the chopper crew before Prince William emerged in a green, Canadian military uniform and approached the Sea King, donning his helmet.

Amid grey skies and blustery winds, he repeatedly brought the helicopter down in a maelstrom of spray. He was shown various techniques, including water taxiing and landing and taking off with one engine powered down, before testing them himself.

His wife looked relaxed as she watched the demonstration. Catherine had changed from a designer outfit earlier to more casual clothing: dark skinny jeans, a navy belted trenchcoat with a bright red scarf and beige and white deck shoes. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

Major Patrick MacNamara, who was on the helicopter with Prince William, said the visiting pilot's form was "fantastic." He was good enough to pursue additional procedures in which he was interested, the officer said.

"I would suggest he was having quite a bit of fun," Major MacNamara said.

Earlier Monday, periodic drizzle couldn't dampen fans' mood in Charlottetown as the royal couple was welcomed officially to PEI.

Globe reporters tweet about the Royal Visit

The crowd screamed as Prince William's flag was unfurled and then again as he and his wife walked out of the provincial legislature.

"Here, in the crucible of Canadian nationhood, we look forward to meeting many of you," William said in brief remarks as a light rain fell. "Thank you for this wonderful and generous welcome."

The royals were introduced by Premier Robert Ghiz, who riffed off the name of his wife, Kate Ellis Ghiz, to offer a piece of marriage advice. "It's very important to remember that Kates are always right," he said.

There was no address by the Duchess. At that point she was wearing a cream pencil dress with dark accents, designed by Sarah Burton at the fashion house Alexander McQueen.

The pair climbed into the state landau, shipped from Ottawa for the occasion, and off through adoring crowds that lined the damp streets five to ten deep. Some had been waiting overnight to secure a good vantage point.

Early this evening the royal couple will depart from Summerside, PEI, bound for Yellowknife.

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