“I love the fact that the Royal visit is coming to Victoria. It makes us feel like we’re connected, a part of the wider world out there and it’s going to showcase Victoria to the world as well. It’s also a bit surprising how many lives a visit like this touches. I have a friend whose 13-year-old daughter is going to have a chance to meet them. I’m sure she’ll remember that for her whole life.”
– Karoline Roessler, Victoria
“I like the continuity of the Royal Family. I love the pomp and circumstance and the parades, no one does it better. I love the Queen and her commitment to the Commonwealth is outstanding. Better than Hollywood royalty”
– Pauline Rittenhouse, Oak Bay
“For me it’s a memory of my mom … she held the Royal Family in high regard.” Bodman’s mother grew up in England and often shared stories of the Royal Family with her own family once she moved to Canada. When Bodman was a small child, she used to look at pictures of the Queen hanging in her school and would find herself thinking of her mother. “It’s a feel-good memory … It’s a way to remember mom.”
– Dori Bodman, Colwood
“I like that they’re bringing back the name George - lots of old, Victorian names are coming back. When the prince was born, my aunt’s boss was like, “Who names their kid George?” But actually, there’s my brother and there are tons of famous Georges. The name’s just skyrocketing again.”
– Ruby Champagne, Saanich
“I’m from the UK and we just moved here in March so we’ve kind of followed the Royal Family in the UK anyway. The Royals are coming to visit and Will and Kate are my age really so I guess I’d say that’s what interests me and they’ve got little ones too.”
– Stacey Campbell, Sidney
“I like the way Prince William and Kate engage with people, they seem a lot more down to earth and easier to approach.”
– Teresa Whittaker, Sooke
We also asked the community ‘Celebrate the Royals visit by telling us what you think they should see and do on their visit to Victoria’ and you responded by the hundreds! Here is a sample of what readers said.
They should go whale watching of course!! Everyone who comes to Victoria does this!!! – Helen Newton
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge can’t leave Victoria without strolling through the gorgeous Butchart Gardens – a must-see! – Kathleen Prince
High Tea at the Empress Hotel, with a walk about in the Inner Harbour – Albert Marks
Visit Red Fish Blue Fish! – Erika Walter
I would love to see the Royal Family visit Heritage Acres in Central Saanich. The children would have such fun riding the miniature trains through the lush forest and over the bridges and trestles. – Arlene Antonik
Visit the Royal BC Museum to see all the wonderful exhibits, then enjoy a stroll around the Inner Harbour. – Richard Reid
A bicycle ride on the Galloping Goose. – Laurie Robb
Take George and Charlotte on the Victoria Hippo Tour because it’s unique. The children would love the idea a bus can become a boat! – Lesley Machan
I think the royal family should go for a lovely Inner Harbour boat ride. – Linda Sutcliffe
I suggest they go zip lining in Sooke and while there visit the Potholes. – Marta Kuzma
Visit a (First Nations) reserve. – MK Ross
No trip to Victoria is complete without a visit to Rogers’ Chocolates! The beautiful interior of this little shop and the delicious treats inside make this a must visit Victoria tradition. – Cheryl Clifford
While the children play among the goats and animals at Beacon Hill Park Farm, both Kate and William can walk across to enjoy a game of lawn bowling or William could opt for cricket. – Norma Alison
Tour the grounds and have tea at Abkahzi Garden. It is a beautiful spot with a romantic story behind it. It would be great exposure for this hidden gem. – Rachel Samson
Feed the seals at Fisherman’s Wharf. – Tansy Bronny
They need to let the children see the goat stampede at the petting zoo in Beacon Hill Park. – Patricia McNaughton
Definitely whale watching with the Prince of Whales tours. – Justine Cooper
They should preside over a ceremony for new Canadians, who recently passed their citizenship tests in the Victoria area. – Robert (Bob) Rayner
Walk up Mt. Douglas for the view. – Signe Nielsen
I believe one of the places the Duke and Duchess should visit while they are here is Woodwynn Farms. This farm is very rich in heritage and has previously been visited by the Queen herself. – Carol Candlish
Attend the Victoria Royals hockey game against Prince George and let Prince George drop the puck. – Erin Bowers
William, Kate and the kids should come to my house! I’ll cook them some wild caught local salmon on the barbecue and corn grown on the peninsula. – Robert Blazek
The Royals should visit the Emily Carr House (as well as The House of Small) and the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria to see Emily Carr’s work. – Susanne Postill
They should do a tasting tour at one of our local breweries – Terry Stewart
Let them have a taste of our great food trucks in between visits – Dianne Blouin
Visit Craigdarroch Castle, watch the street performers by the harbour and end the day with a pizza picnic from The Joint. – Jennifer Wittrup
Since they are an athletic couple I would like to see them try out a dragon boat at the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club. – Jo-Ann Zador
The Victoria Inner Harbour is beautiful both in the day and at night. With small children, they would probably love a horse and carriage ride all around the whole harbour and downtown. – Linda Young
Visit Miniature World, a fun place for kids of all ages! – Caryl Bregman
They should visit the Bug Zoo & Butchart Gardens. The Royal kiddies would love it and their folks would find it fun too. They can ALWAYS have tea at home! – Lucie Mathieu
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