Ottawa (CNN) -- Britain's Prince William and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrived Thursday in Canada on their first official foreign trip since their wedding in April. The royal couple landed aboard a Royal Canadian Air Force jet during the afternoon in Ottawa, the Canadian capital. "Merci beaucoup," William told a throng of well-wishers. "Catherine and I are so delighted to be here in Canada. Instilled in us by our parents and grandparents, we love this country. We have been looking forward to this moment for a very long time. And before we were married, we had a longing to come here together. The geography of Canada is unsurpassed and is famous for being matched only by the hospitality of its people."
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NEW: "We have been looking forward to this moment for a very long time," Prince William says
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Prince William and Catherine arrive in Ottawa, the first stop on their tour
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The 9-day visit includes stops in Ontario, Quebec, the Northwest Territories, and Alberta
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It is the couple's first official trip since their wedding in April
Royal enthusiasts can buy a wide range of souvenir merchandise, such as "I love Kate and @placeholder" T-shirts featuring the Canadian flag.