VICTORIA – The RCMP says it spent about $2 million on policing costs during last year's eight-day visit to British Columbia and Yukon by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their two young children.

The total bill was released following a federal Access to Information request for RCMP costs during the visit that began Sept. 24.

The records show the largest expenses were connected to pay, overtime and travel costs, which totalled about $1.9 million.

The B.C. government is expected to release its final costs for the tour on Jan. 13, while the federal government has yet to release its final tally.

Ottawa released a budget estimate of $855,800 last October.

Prince William and Kate visited several communities in B.C. and Yukon, including Kelowna where they greeted people at the Okanagan campus of the University of British Columbia before watching some volleyball and meeting some selected players. Later in the day they attended a private reception at Mission Hill Winery in West Kelowna.

Another highlight of the visit came when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended a garden party at Government House in Victoria with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.