Monarchy supporters, opponents make most of upcoming royal visit
Posted July 27, 2016 5:06 pm.
Last Updated July 27, 2016 6:13 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – BC supporters and opponents of the British monarchy want to make the most of Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton’s royal visit.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit British Columbia and Yukon this fall during their second royal visit to Canada.
“It’s exciting for everyone in British Columbia. A royal tour brings people together, bring people out into the community and highlights important social issues,” Monarchist League of Canada’s Keith Roy says. “We’ll be able to showcase all that is British Columbia.”
Meanwhile, Citizens for a Canadian Republic director Tom Freda says a royal visit helps reignite debate on whether the monarchy is still relevant or needed.
“They’re famous celebrities, how do we fight that? Why would we bother? And that’s the whole point. They’re just celebrities. Why does that make them good candidates for our head of state?” Freda says.
By retaining power in an unelected Queen as a head of state, Roy says Canada “isn’t subjected to the political whims of if it’s Clinton or Trump.”
Freda says his biggest concern about a visit is that Canadian tax payers shouldn’t be on the hook for the bill for relatives of the Queen.
“The President of the United States or the President of Portugal, they visit here, as hosts we cover the costs, but we don’t cover their family member’s costs,” Freda says.
Roy says he believes the throng of international media that follow the royal couple will also show off B.C. tourism and scenery and the economic benefit will outweigh the cost to host them.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invited the couple to Canada earlier this month. This will be their first Canadian visit since the birth of their two children, but it’s not known if little Prince George and Princess Charlotte will come along.
A detailed itinerary will be released at a later date.
