Leader: Royal tour a triumph for us all

AFTER years of doubt and difficulty for the royals, few can doubt the enormous uplift that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have achieved in their North American visit for the institution of the monarchy and its role in promoting the UK world-wide.

To judge by the coverage in Canada, the United States and here, the tour has been an unqualified success. Central to that has been a studied informality, sensitivity to regional lifestyles and customs, and a disarming willingness to partipate in activities ranging from street hockey to boat racing.

The affability and humour won over millions of hearts. Arguably the clearest evidence of the couple's popularity and allure was the warm welcome bestowed in Los Angeles. Even by the standards of Hollywood, so used to mega-occasions, this was a visit that brought not so much glamour and glitz but something more rare and valuable: a young couple with an extraordinary monarchial history. Little wonder the world's biggest celebrities seemed over-awed when it came to meeting "Will and Kate". Few will doubt now the value that the Royal Family can represent for the UK in promoting this country and its values overseas. We may be struggling with austerity and a shadow of the nation we once were. But we can all be uplifted by this.