‘Precious’ levee a brush with royalty for families

Dressed in their best, people of all ages queued Monday to meet Lt.-Gov. Lois Mitchell at Government House for the annual New Year’s Day levee.

While they waited, members of the public signed a postcard of thanks and encouragement to Canadian soldiers serving overseas, and oohed and aahed at the holiday decorations and Downton Abbeyesque building.

“We are in a world where having accessibility to the government is becoming harder and harder,” said James Smibert, who moved to Edmonton from Ontario.

It was his second time at the levee, and Monday, he brought his five-year-old granddaughter, Ryann Smibert, with him.

“To be able to go up to the lieutenant-governor and wish her a happy new year and have her ask how my granddaughter is doing — that’s something that’s precious.”

Ryann, he said, practised her curtsy because she was coming to see a representative of the Queen.

“The institutions like the monarchy and the lieutenant-governor add a great bit of stability to the country,” he said, as Ryann held his hand.

Mitchell welcomed guests with a handshake and took pictures.

The levee is a “wonderful” way to meet families, many of whom she recognized because they come back every year, she said.

Thomas Banks, who described himself as a lifelong Edmontonian, said it was his fourth time at the levee. “The Queen serves as an important symbol of Canadian values and connects us all together — united — heart to heart, person to person, in mutual benefit,” he said.