Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, and his wife Sophie, Countess of Wessex, arrived in Iqaluit Wednesday night. It’s the first royal visit to Iqaluit in 10 years.

Nunavut Premier Eva Aariak said it's another opportunity to teach visitors about the territory and people who live there.

"I'm always talking about, in my travels outside of Nunavut, to inform the people about who we are, where we come from, what we are all about and about our vibrant, wonderful new territory,” she said. “I am so very glad they will be able to see it firsthand."

Aariak said Nunavut was the royals’ first choice of places to go when they were planning their visit to Canada.

On Thursday morning the Earl and Countess of Wessex will attend an RCMP awards ceremony at the legislative assembly.

They then will take a tour of the newly rebuilt St. Jude's Anglican Cathedral and have tea.

Tonight they'll attend a reception at the Nunatta Sunakkutaangiit Museum followed by a community feast at St. Jude’s Parish Hall at 6:30 p.m.

On Friday morning, the countess will tour the nursing program at Nunavut Arctic College.

It’s the first royal visit Commissioner Edna Elias has hosted and she’s made sure to brush up on the formal titles and etiquette.

"When you greet them, men give a little nod and the ladies give a little curtsy or a little bow," she said.