N.W.T. diamond gift donated, says former premier
Harry Winston-crafted gifts didn't cost taxpayers
CBC News
Posted: Jan 12, 2012 10:36 AM CST
Last Updated: Jan 12, 2012 11:20 AM CST
Former N.W.T. premier Floyd Roland is seen here giving the diamond-encrusted brooch and cufflinks to the Royal couple when they were in Yellowknife last summer. (CBC)
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Yellowknife is being recognized in British tabloids, but not for the scenery, northern lights or a reality television show.
Instead, it’s getting attention for giving lavish gifts to Prince William and Kate Middleton.
Buckingham Palace released a list Wednesday of all the gifts the couple received during their Canadian tour. The gifts included hockey jerseys, moccasins and cowboy hats. But it’s the gifts presented by former Northwest Territories premier Floyd Roland that have the press buzzing.
The Royal couple was given diamond-encrusted polar bear cufflinks and a brooch when they visited Yellowknife last summer. The tabloids say these were the most expensive gifts the couple received during their Canadian tour.
While the actual cost of the gifts is unknown, it has left some northerners wondering who picked up the bill for the pricey souvenirs.
“The particular gifts being discussed, the diamonds that were prepared by Harry Winston and the company, did not cost tax payers any money,” said Floyd Roland, who was the territory’s premier at the time of the Royal visit.
Roland said the diamonds came from the Diavik diamond mine. They were flown to New York and crafted by Hollywood jewelry designer Harry Winston.
A spokesperson for the Territorial Government says Harry Winston then donated them back to the GNWT.
Harry Winston representatives told CBC they had no comment about the gift of diamonds to the Royal couple.
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