Prince County fit for a Prince

Prince William and Kate to stop in Summerside

Ryan Quigley

Journal Pioneer

The royal couple visit to Summerside will be meaningful for its Veterans, said George Dalton, President of the Summerside historical society.

The world famous newlyweds will be in Summerside on July 4^th. Dalton said he hopes to get the pair to stop by and present a stone at the Memorial Park they are working on at the former air base in Slemon Park.

Dalton said the visit will be great for Veterans who served under the Union Jack and in the British Commonwealth Air Training Program, which is celebrating it’s 70^th anniversary and included Kate Middleton’s grandfather, during World War two and for war brides who immigrated to Summerside with their husbands they met during the war.

“I think the Veterans should be certainly on the frontlines of any greeting that takes place,” he said. “Especially the ones we have living here who flew in the British Air Training Program.”

Dalton said though the visit will be good for the older generation, it was also exciting for the younger generations.

“The buzz that’s centered around them is not just a historical buzz but symbolism of hope for the future. A celebrity type appeal,” he said. “You have to have positive influence in the world today.”

Dalton said that Summerside has also been partial to the Royals in his experience. From the royal exhibit held at Eptek, to the royal wedding celebrations.

“There’s great respect for Royalty here.”

Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart said he is delighted to have the Royal’s come to Summerside.

“We’re to try and find out what their location will be. These plans are all made by their crowd. Now that we’ve got an official word that they’re going to be here we’re going to try and contact the people who make the decisions to see what the visit will include in Summerside.”

Stewart said they had sent out invitations and Monday was the first time they had heard anything official.

“As soon as we heard they were coming to the Island we sent out an invitation to Buckingham Palace, to the prime minister, to premier and the MLAs and the lieutenant governor.”

The regal pair is also planning to visit Charlottetown on July 3^rd. They are going to be starting in Ottawa and the region from June 30 to July 2, then traveling to Montreal and Quebec City. Yellowknife and Calgary will be the last stops on the tour.