They came, they inspired and now they’re gone, but the visit from the future king and queen of the British monarchy will not soon be forgotten. With what seemed like 24-hour T.V. coverage and royal images splashed on the front pages of dailies all week, the gaga media lapped up the visit.
Part of the royal appeal seems to be the ability to appear quite normal in attitude and attire, and the willingness to take those unscheduled detours through crowds to shake hands, receive flowers and gifts and spread the goodwill of the Commonwealth. Duchess Kate Middleton appeared at ease and comfortable through the multiple wardrobe changes each day, as did Duke of Cambridge William along the tour, giving those who waited the memory of a lifetime.
The British monarchy is an important institution embodying and upholding the values of the British parliamentary system, from which the Dominion of Canada took its inspiration and grew into the model example of the free country it is today. So it is no wonder why so many thousands flocked star-struck to see the Royal couple as not only emblems of celebrity and monarchy, but as people who are also part of what we are and stand for as a country.
Sure, a few sour-faces in Quebec put up a fuss, but such nonsense can only be expected from the descendants of those defeated on the battlefield by the British before the formation of Canada. And, as a free country modelled on the British system, dissidents have every right to express their distaste if they so choose.
The royal stop in Slave Lake of course did not go under-appreciated, with many disaster-weary residents flocking to welcome the unplanned visit. The Royal couple’s decision to stop showed the keen sense of duty to lift the spirits of the affected people, a good PR stop, but one which showed the loyalty of the people to the crown and the crown to the people.
The decision to hold the last leg of the visit in Calgary to open the Stampede was a good one. Mayor Naheed Nenshi presented custom cowboy and girl hats. By the time they made it to the bull riding demonstration held in their honour, the William and Kate sported full western gear. While perhaps the impersonation made a cowboy somewhere cringe, the two appeared to look the part, and as per the many costume changes upon the tour, did so with grace and as much tact as possible. With some tips from Kelly ‘the King’ Sutherland, called so from his many wins on the chuckwagon circuit, on how to throw the stove in the back of the chuckwagon before a race, William participated in the sport’s tradition. To be a future king meeting what many would consider a living chuckwagon king must have been a humbling experience for William.
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