Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave to the crowds in Calgary (Pic: Getty Images)
A sleeping bag, snow goggles, a papier-mâché doll and a jar of Vegemite were just some of the unusual gifts given to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last year.
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The bizarre items were on an official list released by St James’s Palace yesterday of items given to the royal couple on their first foreign trip to Canada and the US last summer.
The newlyweds returned home with mosquito traps, cowboy hats, hockey jerseys, stuffed toys, wine coasters and bread board among the hoard of gifts.
Kate, who celebrated her 30th birthday earlier this week, seemed to win in the popularity stakes, receiving more gifts from members of the public than her husband.
A jar of Vegemite was among the bizarre gifts given to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
She was also given a knitted prayer shawl, a wicker flower basket and a rag doll, although William wasn’t left out as he bagged a flying helmet and a tartan waistcoat.
The gifts weren’t all random, as Kate was also presented with a 302-diamond brooch and William received a pair of platinum cufflinks.
The jewellery, listed simply as ‘brooch’ in the document, is actually a specially-commissioned platinum piece by Hollywood jeweller Harry Winston, with diamonds in the shape of a polar bear.
Prince William and Kate Middleton smile as they receive Team Canada hockey jerseys
The items together include a total of 692 sparklers. They were handed over by Floyd K. Roland, Premier of the Northwest Territories in Canada, as the royals visited the town of Yellowknife.
The couple also received an iPad from the Governor of California as listed on the 14-page rundown of gifts.
Clarence House spokesman insisted last night it would be “discourteous to highlight whether a gift was valuable”.
Kate Middleton given sleeping bag, goggles and Vegemite among bizarre royal tour gifts
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