There’s a first time for everything. And hefting a 27-pound putting stone probably fit the bill for Prince Andrew, Duke of York during Saturday’s Heavy Events Challenge at the 150th Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival.
Andrew contemplated the great stone that huge men wearing enormous kilts were keen to hurl about. Then he told bystanders: “I took one look at it and thought, ‘No thank you.’ ”
It was one of many laughs the affable 53-year-old royal, fourth in line to the throne, shared with those attending Canada’s second-oldest Highland Games, which drew thousands of people.
Andrew then stayed for the entire round of the ancient game of Braemar Stone, which eventually led to a new field record of more than 40 feet, set by American Andrew Vincent.
It is the prince’s second foray to this city — he visited the Victoria Yacht Club in June 2003.
Langford’s Gayle Gold wasn’t going to miss her chance to see him.
“I’ve lived in Victoria for 30 years and I’ve never been to the games. I had to come to see him,” she said. “We can still call him Randy Andy — that was his name when he was a young bachelor and he’s still charismatic and charming and handsome.”
Earlier, Andrew, a naval officer for 22 years, told the crowd it was “a great pleasure” to inspect the 100-person guard from the Royal Canadian Navy.
After opening the day’s events, he stood ramrod straight as massed bands played Highland Laddie and Hail to the Chief.
When someone yelled “Thank you” as he hied to another part of Topaz Park, he waved and flashed the huge grin often in evidence.
Andrew also unveiled a marble plaque commemorating Victoria’s Scottish settlers, who first shared their sports, music, dance and culture in 1864.
Modern Highland games still feature many auld events, from sheep shearing to stone-wall building and caber tossing.
Lexie Henderson, 23, an Edinburgh lassie currently living in Vancouver, came to Victoria after her Scottish friend texted her about the games.
“I was hoping for some haggis but there isn’t any — but they do have square sausage,” she said.
In Canada, only the Highland games in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, are older than Victoria’s, said kilt-wearing Randall Stewart, the event’s culture chairman. He accompanied the prince around the park, pronouncing him “quite a gentleman.”
But the prince’s grey suit confused Jasmine Wagner, 11. “Is he the one with pants?” she asked, not sure if Andrew looked the part of a prince. “He looks like a businessman or a lawyer.”
Earlier in the day, the prince gave certificates to nearly 100 youth at the 50th anniversary celebration of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards in Canada. He said he hoped the stellar qualities they’ve already displayed would help later in life. “Because, actually, most of life is about solving problems.”
The prince will open today’s games at noon, and will close the festival at 4:30 p.m. with a Massed Pipe Bands Finale.
