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Landing in Canada on Saturday on a weeklong official visit
with parents Prince William and Kate Middleton, George, holding
his father's hand, ignored Trudeau when he squatted down to the
toddler's level to offer a high-five variation, the low-five.
Trudeau then switched his palm for a high-five and subsequently
offered a handshake, both of which were seemingly rebuffed,
creating an awkward moment on the airport tarmac in the western
province of British Columbia.
Canadians felt the princely snub acutely, accustomed as they are
to seeing their young premier win over millions of fans around
the world and attain social media star status.
"My heart broke 15 times for trudeau in this," said a Twitter
user with the handle @OhAlexaandra.
"Justin Trudeau getting denied a high five by a toddler (even if
it was the son of the prince) is a great analogy for modern
global affairs," said a Twitter user with the handle @EmMcCon.
George did shake hands with Barack Obama on his visit to England
in April, when the prince was allowed to greet the U.S.
president dressed in natty pajamas and a robe before he went to
bed.
George and his year-old sister, Princess Charlotte, are in
Canada for the first time but it is the second trip for their
parents, who visited in 2011.
On Sunday, William and Kate were to visit the Immigration
Services Society of British Columbia to meet staff and
volunteers who help recent migrants to the area. The couple also
is scheduled to meet young leaders of various industries in
Canada and some of Vancouver's first responders.
Before leaving Canada on Oct. 1, the couple is expected to have
more than more than 30 engagements, including with aboriginal
Canadian communities.
William is second in line to succeed his grandmother Queen
Elizabeth, who has been Canada's head of state since she
ascended to Britain's throne in 1952.
(Reporting by Ethan Lou in Toronto; Editing by Bill Trott and
Mary Milliken)
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