Royal Watchers

CAPTION: The crowd at the Summerside Wharf greeted the royal couple’s helicopter with cheers while waving miniature British and Canada flags Monday afternoon.

Royal Watchers

Summerside Wharf visit gets mixed reviewers from spectators

By Ryan Quigley

Journal Pioneer

Mixed reviews came from the thousands attending the royal visit at the Summerside wharf Monday afternoon.

When people began to filter into the wharf parking lot, Spinnakers and the boardwalk, it was with great anticipation. Royal watchers from Summerside to Nova Scotia to Oklahoma to the Bahamas gathered in celebration of the regal pair’s long awaited visit to the Western capital grew closer and closer.

Members of the grade four and five College of Piping band marched up and down the lot performing while Keith Broderick could be heard playing classic rock tunes.

Kids were seen running around, delivering British and Canadian flags to those who wanted them.

One spectator, Brenda Benson said, she like many people, was interested in the royal family and remembered watching Charles’ and Diana’s wedding when she was young.

“My heritage is British so I wanted to see what it was all about. I brought my two little kids down,” she said. “They’re really excited too.”

Hazen Mellish was excited to see the couple having previously attended visits from William’s grandfather Phillip, father Charles and brother Harry during his tenure at the Canadian Forces Base in Suffield, Alberta, before returning home about four years ago.

“I think it’s good to have them (come here). We’re still connected to them and it’s good publicity.”

Others such as Marvin Minns, from the Bahamas in Summerside attending the Holland College Marine training centre, just wanted to see what the came down to see what all the attention was about.

“I was in the area and I heard it was going to be something big to see.”

Emily Schurman was handing out flags with the P.E.I. Segway tours was excited for the opportunity for Summerside.

“We are the centre of the universe for 35-minutes.”

As the helicopter landed with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on it, the crowd welcomed the famed couple with a warm reception of cheers. Those on the boardwalk and at Spinnaker’s Landing stood tip toed with camera flashes lighting up the grey-skied day.

While the couple watched the coast guard’s search and rescue simulation, the crowd hoped for just one more glimpse of the Prince and Princess.

While some eventually left, most gathered chanting “Will and Kate” near the exit of the wharf.

Unfortunately for those who waited until the end, the couple zoomed through on their way to the airport.

Some of those that stuck around were disappointed leaving with only a peak at the future King and bride, not an up close look they desired.

Others such as Laura Apblet from Oklahoma, were happy with the experience. She had watched the Royal wedding in class and got a photo of the couple.

“I’m here visiting my grandmother and I wanted to see Will and Kate so I came to the Waterfront,” she said. “I never seen them before and really wanted to see them.”

Samantha Gui-Turchan, of Summerside, said it was a cool experience seeing the couple on P.E.I.

“It kind of sucked we weren’t actually able to see them at the waterfront other than that it was neat to see them on the Island and come to a small Island like this.”

Susan Newcombe and her husband Michael, of Port Hill, were part of the lucky few to have a close encounter with William and Kate after receiving an invitation to attend from Gail Shea’s office.

“We shook hands with William first and (Kate) asked if we were cold. They were very polite and very nice,” she said. “I didn’t think we’d get that close to them. It was exciting.”