Prince William and Kate Middleton will visit Canada to shore up support for the monarchy

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today (February 16) that Prince William and Kate Middleton will make their first official visit to Canada.

The royal couple will touch down in this country for an nine-day visit on June 30, which means they'll be here for Canada Day. The visit will come two months after their marriage.

The visit is no doubt intended to shore up support for the monarchy in Canada.

A 16-day Canadian visit by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla in 2009 did not attract huge crowds.

CBC News reported at the time that a survey showed that most Canadians felt that the monarchy was out of step with the times.