Everyone in Victoria is talking about the upcoming arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, William and Catherine, and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Click here for full coverage of the Royal Visit to Canada 2016
Even those who won’t be in town when the royals arrive in British Columbia on Saturday are still excited they are coming.
At Gala Fabrics on Douglas Street, the owner has set up a display welcoming the Duke and Duchess to her city.
“I think the display in the window is just part of the excitement the Victorians have,” said Bruce Hallsor, past chair of the Victoria branch of the Monarchist League of Canada.
“We’re hosting two future kings here. These people are two international celebrities and they’re Canada’s Royal Family.”
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For Ardis Lawrence, it’s the chance of a lifetime.
“I haven’t ever been around when they’ve been here, so this is very special,” said Lawrence, who flew in from Grande Prairie, Alta, on Thursday. “They take their role very seriously. They love their people and they love their citizens — they love Canada. We’re just so privileged to have them here.”
Lawrence plans to be at the legislature early Saturday morning, for a chance to see the royal couple when they arrive.
“It’s very exciting and even just being down here and catching the vibes and the excitement and everybody saying, ‘what’s going on?’ and watching how they set it up and learning about the protocol and all that. Wow! It’s a chance of a lifetime.”
Watch below: Visitors to Victoria and Vancouver may catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during the Royal Visit.
Preparations have been underway at the B.C. Legislature for days and the final touches are now being put in place ahead of the official celebration on Saturday.
Hallsor has also been part of preparing some contingency plans, in case there’s an issue with an event on the tour or the weather is bad.
“There’s not only an official schedule but a back-up schedule,” Hallsor said. “If there’s an issue flying into Bella Bella or Sandspit, there are some locations that have been identified as back-ups.”
“Those groups would have been sworn to secrecy, of course.”
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Security is also tightening up ahead of the Royal visit, according to Dr. Kenneth Christie, a professor at Royal Roads University in Victoria.
“I expect they will have their own security here,” he said. “What we know about their security…there’s always ‘no comment’ on that.”
“I’m sure there’s an entire royal protocol from a security standpoint.”
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Victoria police said temporary cameras will be set up “in the immediate vicinity of the event” on Saturday, Sept. 24.
But for now, the anticipation of the royal visitors is all that’s on anyone’s mind and the Royal Family appears to be well-liked in this royal city.
“You won’t find many people in Victoria who are not excited for this trip,” Hallsor said.
With files from Nadia Stewart
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