The Royal Blog: Huge crowd on hand as William and Kate arrive in Vancouver

Royal fever moves to Vancouver as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge bring their royal caravan to the B.C. Mainland. Check back here regularly throughout the next week as we follow the Will and Kate Show.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 25

The British Royals have moved on from Jack Poole Plaza to the Downtown Eastside where they are touring Sheway, a pregnancy outreach program for women with drug and alcohol addictions who are pregnant or parenting.

They are here!

They came, they saw and they conquered the hearts of thousands.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the float plane terminal in Coal a Harbour Sunday morning, greeted by crowds of Royal watchers and well wishers.

Many waved Canadian flags, and many more brandished iPhones and selfie sticks eager to get a glimpse of the glamorous young couple.

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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Viviana at Jack Poole Plaza after arriving in Vancouver, BC, September, 25, 2016.

A cheer arose from the people lined up along the seawall railing, about five to six deep in the most coveted spots, when first, Will, then Kate, disembarked from the plane docked at Burrard Inlet.

“She looks like a painting,” exclaimed Natasha Cadieux of the Duchess, radiant in a high-collared red and white Alexander McQueen dress and red pumps.

A wave and a smile from the young royals — sans children — and the crowd roared louder.

The couple was greeted at the end of the dock by Premier Christy Clark before making their way through the throngs at Jack Poole plaza

Royal watchers started lining up as early as 3:30 a.m. to get the best seats in the house.

I couldn’t sleep. I was so excited. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the royals.

“I couldn’t sleep. I was so excited. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the royals. They don’t come to this part of the world often,” said Kate Williams, who looked warm and cozy sitting on a lawn chair and covered by a blanket despite the grey and drizzly weather.

Williams and two cousins drove in from Langley in the middle of the night, determined to get the best spot.

“She’s a great role model,” she said of The Duchesss. “She’s a princess but she’s also a mother and seems like a regular relatable person.”

Anastasia Leshchyshyn, 24, got a prime viewing spot against the metal railings.

Coming from a family of royal watchers, Leshchyshyn, who is visiting from Toronto, wasn’t going to miss the opportunity for a glimpse of the young couple credited with reinvigorating the British monarchy.

“It’s a great chance to see them,” she said. “They have an interesting perspective of taking the monarchy into the future but also paying heed to the traditions of the past.”

They draw the young back into the monarchy

Isabella Metcalfe, 19, came prepared with a Union Jack flag and hat. She has plenty of family in the UK and feels a connection to the monarchy, despite living an ocean away.

“Being Canadian, I think it is part of our heritage,” she said.

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are escorted down to Harbour Air Terminal in Victoria, B.C., Sunday, Sept 25, 2016 where they departed on a float plane on their way to Vancouver for planned events.

Many of her friends and people in her generation don’t know the royals or don’t care, she said. But if anyone can change their minds and reenergize the monarchy, it’ll be Will and Kate, suggested mom Joanne Lucchesi.

“They draw the young back into the monarchy.”

The tour will also take the royal couple to Bella Bella, Haida Gwaii and Kelowna in British Columbia as well as Whitehorse and Carcross in Yukon. The royals are making their homebase at Government House in Victoria during the seven-day visit. Their young children, Prince George, 3, and Princess Charlotte, 1, will remain in the capital for the entire trip.

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Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge after they arrive by sea plane at the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre during their Royal Tour of Canada on September 25, 2016 in Vancouver, Canada.

Alexander McQueen was a British fashion designer to the stars. Among those who have worn his clothes include Nicole Kidman, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.  He committed suicide in 2010. He was 40 years old. His funeral at St. Paul’s Cathedral was attended by 2,500 invited guests including fellow designer Stella McCartney, actress Sarah Jessica Parker and fashion model Naomi Campbell.

William and Kate are expected to greet onlookers in the plaza before heading out for a full day of official activities.

• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will pay a visit to the Downtown Eastside and tour Sheway (533 East Hastings St.), a program that provides health and social service support to pregnant women, and women with infants who are dealing with addiction issues.

• Will and Kate will then tour the Immigrant Services Society’s new 58,000-square-foot Welcome Centre (2610 Victoria Dr.) a facility that provides settlement, education and employment services to more than 25,000 immigrants and refugees each year. They will be accompanied by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire.
• The royal couple will next attend a reception at Telus Gardens (510 West Georgia St.) where they will meet “young Canadians who are helping to build Canada and making a difference in their communities.”
• Will and Kate’s final public reception in Vancouver will be at the recently reopened Kitsilano Coast Guard Station for a first responders showcase. The Trudeaus will join the royals at the station. They are scheduled to discuss mental health issues with first responder organizations and ride a hovercraft. That visit is scheduled at 3 p.m.

For anyone wanting to get a close glimpse of Will and Kate in Vancouver, the Downtown Eastside was the place to be Sunday morning.

Unlike in Jack Poole Plaza, where a crowd of thousands awaited the royal couple, it was easy to get a front-row spot in front of the Sheway pregnancy program on Hastings Street.

Syd Benjamin said she’d seen Queen Elizabeth on multiple occasions, but always from afar.

“Most time when you come to these events, people use binoculars,” Benjamin said as she waited for the big arrival.

“We’re very lucky.”

For obsessive royals watcher Tamara Gardner, Sunday will be the 10th encounter with the British monarchy. Her 15-year-old daughter Victoria was holding a bouquet for Kate — this would be the fourth sighting.

“Last time when William was here, Charles came over and talked to my kids and then shook my baby’s foot, because he’s named after him — Charles William,” Tamara said.

She was planning to follow the Duke and Duchess to Whitehorse on Wednesday.

Expect some traffic mayhem today as the royals make their rounds. Whyte Avenue will be closed to all but local traffic from noon to 2 p.m., and from 2 to 4 p.m. will be fully closed. There will also be seawall delays or closures at Vanier Park from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.

According to the city, there will be temporary road closures throughout the day related to the movements of the motorcade, but they cannot be shared for security reasons.

What the British tabs are saying:

• The Daily Mail fawned over Canada’s “royal couple”, Justin and Sophie, in its account of Saturday’s activities in
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  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge arrive at 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron on September 24, 2016 in Victoria.

  Victoria.  The Daily Mail wrote: “Fashionistas are eagerly looking forward to comparing and contrasting the two women. At 41, Mrs Trudeau is seven years older than Kate, 34, but with her instructive sense of style, love of home-grown Canadian designers and yoga-honed body will make her more than a match for the glamorous and super-slim Duchess, whose sell-out choice of outfits has been dubbed ‘the Kate effect’.”

• The Guardian also paid attention to the PM and his wife — and what the women were wearing: “Waiting at the bottom of the plane’s steps to greet them was Canada’s young, charismatic leader prime minster, Justin Trudeau, who last summer invited the Cambridges to visit, and his wife, former TV presenter Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. The politician’s spouse looked stylish in a purple outfit and a trilby-style hat worn at jaunty angle. Kate wore a blue Jenny Packham dress, the Queen’s diamond maple leaf brooch and a hat by Lock & Co.”
• The Sun directed its coverage towards the royal toddlers, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. “Princess Charlotte stole the show with a cheeky wave on her first official Royal tour – although the toddler appeared to have recently taken a tumble, with a small graze visible on her right knee as the family touched down in Canada last night … The future king was dressed in a jumper, shirt and shorts – similar to the outfit he wore when he was taken by William to see his sister soon after she was born – while Charlotte wore a floral dress and clip in her hair.”
• The Mirror was impressed with how at ease the little royals were in front of the big crowd in Victoria: “Charlotte was as good as gold in her mum’s arms the entire time and Princess George didn’t seem at all fazed by the crowds. They’ve certainly been taught well.”

Hands out of pockets, Hamish

Premier Christy Clark’s teenager Hamish Clark took got schooled on Twitter following Saturday night’s arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Victoria.

The 15-year-old stood alongside his mom in the Royal receiving line, along with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his wife Sophie and Governor General David Johnston and his wife Sharon.

Looking slightly awkward, as only teenagers can, Hamish Clark stood with his hands stuffed into his pants pockets, much to the dismay of the Twitterverse.

See how the young man was given a brushing up of polite behaviour on Twitter:  

SATURDAY, SEPT. 24

A solemn ceremony at the cenotaph in Victoria marked the official arrival of Prince William and his wife Kate on Saturday as they embark on a week-long tour of British Columbia and Yukon.

Standing alongside Gov.-Gen. David Johnston, the skirl of the bagpipes and a lone bugler preceded the royal couple laying a wreath at the war memorial near the B.C. legislature.

The couple’s children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, were not part of the official welcome and they are not expected to feature prominently during the visit.

The duke and duchess stopped to speak to three Canadian forces veterans after laying the wreath. 

“It was nerve-wracking but he made me feel he was interested in what I was saying,” said Cpl. Mireille Poulin, an Air Force officer from CFB Comox who has six medals in the Invictus games. “He asked me about helicopters.”

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The veterans who spoke with the Duke of Cambridge at a wreath ceremony Saturday.

The two chatted about Sea King helicopters. The duke is a helicopter pilot. 

World War II veteran George Quan was unfazed at the encounter and told the duke about meeting his grandmother the Queen in 1939. 

“He started to laugh,” said Quan, who was in a military uniform with numerous medals. The duke spent considerable time with Quan but afterwards he brushed off questions about meeting royalty. 

“We are all human beings,” he said. 

The royals said they appreciated the service of the veterans.

“He said it was nice to meet you and thank you for your service,” said Petty Officer Wayne Clarke. 

“It was definitely an honour to meet them,” said Clarke, who is based on HMCS Calgary, adding they were “definitely interested” in what he had to say. “I’m just absolutely thrilled.”

The three veterans were then greeted by the prime minister, governor general and Premier Christy Clark.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thanked the royals for bringing their children on the trip, during a speech at the legislature. 

“I know you’ve visited Canada before but as any parents who have travelled with children knows, it’s a whole different experience when you bring your family with you.”

As the Duke and Duchess were leaving the legislature, the Duchess stopped to meet Monique Girard, 23, who was carrying a baby named Scarlett.

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The Duke of Cambridge greets onlookers with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in front of the Legislative Assembly in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, September 24, 2016.

“She was very nice, she asked me how old my baby was. She’s six months. So she said, ‘Is it my first baby?’ I said yes. She said, ‘It only gets better after this.”

The experience surprised Girard, who lives near Victoria, because she was at the end of the red carpet line off on the side near the media pen when the duchess approached.

“That was really cool,” she said.

“I’m shaking right now, I’m starstruck. It’s the coolest thing that ever happened.”

Nearby, Colleen Noble, 52, said the duchess asked her how long she’d been waiting and that she hoped it wasn’t too long. “We were blessed,” Noble said of the experience.

Beside her, Brenda Hobor, 60, gave Premier Clark a bag with some Thomas the Tank Engine toys inside and asked her to give them to young Prince George.

On the other side of the red carpet, William Rithaler, 13, met the duke. “He asked me if I was a sports guy,” said Rithaler, who proceeded to rattle off the sports he played, including soccer and cross country.

“He said, ‘That’s cool,’” said Rithaler. Then he found out they shared the name William and spoke about that, and returning to school.

PHOTO GALLERY: THE ROYALS IN B.C.

His grandmother, Rita Dods, 85, described meeting the duke as “wonderful.”

Loretta Rithaler, William’s mother, gave the duke flowers with a card that had copies of pictures of her daughter giving Queen Elizabeth II flowers during a stop in Victoria years ago.

“He said, ‘Oh my goodness,’” said Loretta, while taking the flowers. “Hopefully he’ll see (the pictures).”

The royal couple left to waves and screams as they entered their motorcade and sped off to Government House for the evening.

Organizers had expected more than 30,000 people at the legislature and in the inner harbour, though it appeared the final crowd may have been smaller.  

The legislature lawn was not fully packed, perhaps because a heavy police presence cut off access almost an hour early. People did gather along the road but the crowd did not extend through the inner harbour, where, a block away, people were mulling about and shopping normally. 

It’s official. The royal couple, Prince George and Princess Charlotte — face it: we’re all most excited about the kids — are on Canadian soil.

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The Duchess of Cambridge holds her daughter Princess Charlotte as the family arrives in Victoria Saturday, while Prince George (right) holds dad Prince William’s hand.

The royal family arrived at CFB Esquimalt to a tarmac packed with international media, including dozens of photographers jostling for position, waiting for the moment they would descend from the RCAF jet, everyone wanting only one thing: a photo of the rarely seen young royals, three-year-old Prince George and 16-month-old Princess Charlotte.

They did not disappoint. The family descended the staircase slowly, with Prince George, holding his father’s hand and looking a little unsure, or possibly grumpy, and Princess Charlotte nestled in her mother’s arms, one tiny finger in her mouth. All eyes were on the family as first the Duke of Cambridge leaned over to whisper something to George, and then Kate crouched, in five-inch heels, to reassure him.

He hung back as his parents greeted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, who stood alongside Premier Clark and her 15-year-old son Hamish. Although George famously loves to wave, he wasn’t up for it today. But after a long flight, the children did a remarkable job. There was just enough time for photographers to snap that rare royal family photo before a dozen black vehicles pulled up to whisk them away. 

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and Princess Charlotte of Cambridge arrive at the Victoria Airport on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 in Victoria, Canada.

The royal couple and their children will be based in Victoria for the duration of their tour.

Throughout the day, hundreds lined blue gates criss-crossing the legislature lawn, many sporting small Canadian and British Columbia flags in their hands, hats or hair. Many had been waiting since noon, more than five hours before the royal couple’s scheduled arrival.

Victoria native Katherine Pitt, who describes herself as a “big fan” of the royal family, turned up before sunrise to snag a front-row seat to the event, armed with a picnic blanket, food and an iPad loaded with the last season of the historical drama “Downton Abbey.”

“It’s a great opportunity,” said Pitt. “Probably a once in a lifetime chance for most of us here in Canada anyway. We’re just happy to be here.”

Not even homework from her English literature class could keep Sara Kidd, a 20-year-old student at the University of Victoria, away from the festivities.

She and two friends spent the hours before the royal arrival sitting on the legislature lawn, heads burrowed in textbooks, sustained by chips and dip.

“We brought our books because we don’t have three hours to not be studying,” she said, laughing. “We’re mostly excited to see Prince George.”

After the Saturday festivities in Victoria, Prince William and Kate will also make stops in Kelowna, Bella Bella, Haida Gwaii, Whitehorse, Carcross, Yukon and Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, won’t be province-hopping with them. As The Canadian Press noted, the royal toddlers will spend the entire trip in Victoria while their parents conduct official duties.

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No Whitehorse trip for Charlotte and George. Kate Middleton will leave the kids in Victoria while she and William attend to official duties across B.C. and Yukon.

Not everyone attended the event just for the royal family.

Mathu Jeyakumar, a 23-year-old Polish exchange student, said the prime minister was the main draw for her and her friends.

“Personally, we like Justin Trudeau a lot,” she said, giggling along with three fellow students.

“He’s cute. He’s cool. He’s so friendly.”

“Canadians have tremendous affection for the Royal Family, and are excited to welcome The Duke and Duchess to our nation for their second official Royal Tour of Canada. Sophie and I look forward to showcasing beautiful British Columbia and to promoting awareness of both youth and mental health issues alongside Their Royal Highnesses,” Prime Minister Trudeau said in a government press release.

Trudeau will later have a private audience with the Duke and Duchess.

The Victoria Times Colonist reports that William and Kate will lay a wreath at the cenotaph to honour Canadian military service and acknowledge a plaque commemorating the Afghanistan mission. Prince William will address the audience.

SECOND TOUR OF CANADA

This is the second official tour for The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Their first visit took place in 2011 as newlyweds when William and Kate made stops in Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Northwest Territories and Alberta but not British Columbia.

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The Cowboy and Cowgirl of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate, attended the Calgary Stampede in 2011.

The 2011 tour cost $1.2 million, while the Queen’s nine-day tour in 2010 came in at $2.79 million, according to the Ottawa Citizen. “Most Royal tours cost one to three million dollars,” said Robert Finch, dominion chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada. One of the biggest misconceptions Canadians have about the monarchy is how much it costs us, said Finch. The League does a study on “the cost of the crown” every few years, and it comes out to about $2 per person, per year. 

The trip garnered international headlines when the Duchess suffered a wardrobe malfunction in Calgary when the wind blew the back of her skirt up exposing what was was called “The Royal Hiney” on the front page of the Toronto Sun. Many readers were not amused. 

“I think “Her royal hiney” (July 9) and the accompanying photo was disgusting. To point out someone’s embarrassing moment, especially a guest in our country was extremely rude and tasteless. You should try wearing a skirt sometime. Shame on you.,” read one letter to the editor.

With files from Rob Shaw, Denise Ryan, Cheryl Chan, Bethany Lindsay, and The Canadian Press.

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