They’re polishing the silver and placing ornaments beyond the reach of tiny hands at Government House this week in preparation for the arrival of Prince William, Kate and their two young children.
The Rockland residence of Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon resembled the set of Downton Abbey on Tuesday as staff in black-and-white uniforms shined door knobs, buffed candelabras and generally whipped the place into shape.
“We just want to make sure that everything is ready for them,” said Thandi Williams, director of operations. “Not unlike when you have a house guest, you know?”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George, 3, and Princess Charlotte, 1, will use Government House as their home base during an eight-day visit to British Columbia that begins Saturday.
They’ll have their own suite at the 57-year-old gated residence and will host a children’s tea party there next week.
Guichon’s grandchildren have visited Government House before, so the house is surprisingly well equipped for young guests, Williams said. “Most of the items were already here, because we try to be prepared for any eventuality. We have a high chair. We have some toys.”
Still, she said, staff have added wooden toys, rain gear and other items with George and Charlotte in mind, though she denied rumours of a sandbox.
“In the interest of maintaining their privacy, I wouldn’t divulge all of the pieces that we’ve put together,” she said.
“Trust me, we’re just trying to think what might they like to do while they’re here and what would be amusing to children of that age.”
The staff have also worked to child-proof the residence to keep George and Charlotte safe from electrical outlets and other hazards.
“Some of the trinkets, and so on, that we might have around on display on a regular basis might be removed just in case little hands want to touch,” Williams said.
In terms of the meals for the Royal Family, executive chef Aleks Kornat declined to disclose details of the menu except to say that it will showcase B.C. beer, wines and fresh produce, including some that are grown on the Government House grounds.
Whether Kornat will indulge George’s rumoured passion for spaghetti and meat sauce, the chef wouldn’t say.
“I’ve heard rumours from family members saying that Prince George loves his bolognese, but we’ll have to see,” he said. “It’s something that may or may not be on the menu.”
Kornat said preparing for the visit is the nerve-racking part. “Once you start cooking and getting everything ready, you kind of get into a bit of a zone.”
Government House hosts up to 150 events a year, so staff are used to putting on a show. But Williams admits that this visit is “extra special.”
“You can feel the excitement,” she said. “You can feel the desire from the team to really put their best foot forward.”
