If you want a chance to see royalty up close, head to Government House on Friday.
Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie — the Earl and Countess of Wessex — begin a five-day visit to British Columbia, with a two-day stop in Victoria.
Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon will welcome the couple at Government House in a special outdoor ceremony open to the public. Prince Edward will receive a royal salute and review an honour guard before he and his wife walk the perimeter of the crowd to greet visitors.
“We’d love to have people come out to greet their royal highnesses,” said Adrienne Dunton, communications and events co-orindator at Government House. Other events are by invitation only.
On Saturday, Prince Edward will attend events with the Royal Canadian Navy and then present Duke of Edinburgh’s awards to young recipients during a ceremony at Government House. The countess will visit Jeneece Place, Our Place Society, and the University of Victoria. In the evening, the lieutenant-governor will host a dinner for the royal couple and First Nation leaders.
On Sunday, the couple are off to Vancouver. On Monday, they head back to the Island, where they will stop at the Ditidaht First Nation in Nitinat Lake to officially open a new library. They will also attend community events at ‘Namgis First Nation in Alert Bay. The royals wrap up their tour with a visit to Kelowna next Tuesday.
