People could not get enough of the royal newlyweds' visit to Canada this year, with coverage of the Canadian adventures of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, among the top stories across the country.

A couple who found time for romance in the midst of the violent post-Stanley Cup riots— a kiss immortalized by one of the many photographers documenting the Vancouver chaos last June — also captured many readers' interest on CBCNews.ca.

But many of the most popular stories in Canada on CBCNews.ca this past year dealt with loss. The death of NDP Leader Jack Layton after a second battle with cancer was one of the most-read stories, as well as a story on the Ontario Liberal party's loss of its majority status.

Top stories from Canada in 2011 on CBCNews.ca:

• Ontario's McGuinty re-elected, but loses majority
• Vancouver riot's 'kissing couple' tell their story
• Jack Layton remembered as 'courageous'
• Apple co-founder Steve Jobs dies at 56
• Will and Kate warmly received in Ottawa
• Canadians with mental illnesses denied U.S. entry
• May 21 is Judgment Day: Christian group
• William and Kate take canoe ride on N.W.T. lake
• William says Canada 'far exceeded' expectations
• Tories prepare to end Canada Post labour dispute

January:

• Canadian flight from Cairo reaches Frankfurt
• Canada's military mission in Afghanistan
• Atlantic forecasts improve after storm
• Canadian alleging rape in Mexico back in Toronto
• Frigid air settles on Central, Eastern Canada

February:

• CRTC must reverse internet usage ruling: Clement
• What Wiarton Willie sees
• Obama proposes travel tax for Canadians
• Border talks 'not about sovereignty:' Harper
• Oda admits she had CIDA document altered

March:

• Debate sets stage for government's defeat
• Earth Hour: Making a difference?
• Seven missing in explosion at Ont. apartment
• Government's defeat sets up election call
• A history of residential schools in Canada

April:

• Biker gangs in Canada
• Man dies after falling into pasta machine
• Prairie flood picture worsens
• A history of residential schools in Canada
• Harper to create government-run media centre: report

May:

• May 21 is Judgment Day: Christian group
• Slave Lake evacuees complain of little warning
• Tories kill access to information database
• Biker gangs in Canada
• Controlled spill slows river's rise

June:

• Vancouver riot's 'kissing couple' tell their story
• Will and Kate warmly received in Ottawa
• Tories prepare to end Canada Post labour dispute
• FAQs: Handy facts about the postal dispute
• Canada Post workers could strike at midnight

July:

• William and Kate take canoe ride on N.W.T. lake
• William says Canada 'far exceeded' expectations
• Canada bids adieu to royals
• William and Kate thrill Canada Day crowds
• Kate and William head to Quebec City

August:

• Jack Layton remembered as 'courageous'
• Jack Layton's 'passion, civility' honoured at funeral
• Searchers hunt for Quebecer swept away by Irene
• Schedule: Jack Layton's funeral
• Bank of Canada faces interest rate dilemma

September:

• Canadians with mental illnesses denied U.S. entry
• Swissair crash may not have been an accident: ex-RCMP
• Harper says 'Islamicism' biggest threat to Canada
• Russell Williams' victim sues police over 'betrayal'
• 6.4 magnitude quake shakes southwest B.C.

October:

• Ontario's McGuinty re-elected, but loses majority
• Apple co-founder Steve Jobs dies at 56
• Scouts failed to stop sexual predator: CBC investigation
• 'Racist' Halloween costumes stir debate
• Occupy protesters camp out in Canadian cities

November:

• Remembrance Day: Lest we forget
• The fight for the right to die
• Attawapiskat finances put under 3rd-party control
• Lottery agency tries to recover $12.5M insider win
• Don Cherry turns down honorary degree

December (first week):

• Attawapiskat leader threatens civil disobedience
• Stop building junk on reserves, says Mike Holmes
• Attawapiskat crisis sparks political blame game
• Harper wants 'accountable' First Nations self-government
• Ottawa offers Attawapiskat evacuation plan