William and Kate visit Great Bear Rainforest on Canada royal tour

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge braved a bumpy plane ride to a remote part of Canada, to praise the Queen and a new commonwealth project designed to protect the world's forests.

High winds and heavy rain made for a turbulent journey to Bella Bella, a tiny rural community on the Central Coast of British Columbia, and meant that William and Kate only managed to have a tiny glimpse of the Great Bear Rainforest, the primary reason for their visit.

Due to the bad weather, boat trips and an aerial tour over the forest had to be cancelled, leaving the couple largely stuck indoors.

Stretching over 250 miles, the Great Bear Rainforest is the world's largest intact temperate rainforest.

It is known as the 'jewel in the crown' of Canada and the only place in the world where you can see the Kermode bear, also known as the spirit bear, which is known for its white fur.

The region is also famous for whales, sea otters, dolphins and sea lions.

Part of the purpose of the royal visit was for William to recognise the importance of the forest in a project called the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy.

In a speech, the Prince said: "An appeal has been made to all 53 Commonwealth nations to contribute areas of indigenous forest, to be preserved in perpetuity, in the Queen's name, marking Her Majesty's service to the Commonwealth."

He added: "When we protect our rivers, oceans, atmospheres or, like today, our forests, we are telling our children that their future prosperity cannot be disconnected from the health of the natural world."

They received a very warm ceremonial welcome from the small Heiltsuk First Nation community, that live in Bella Bella, whose claim to the lands in the area was recognised by Queen Victoria in the form of a staff, presented to the people by a representative of the monarch.

More than 200 First Nation groups live in British Columbia.

Prince William and Kate will meet more communities when they travel on to Whitehorse and Haida Gwaii in the coming days.