A thank you would have been nice

As a North Saanich resident, I was, like almost every sentient being on the Peninsula, aware of the royals’ stay here. The Times Colonist reminded us that even if we knew where they were staying, to leave them alone. I think we did as requested.

And I know of people who had fun directing the hapless paparazzi to far-off sites when they asked for directions.

We were all in on this one.

Again, the Victoria Times Colonist reported that Captain Miles Arsenault, owner of Bay to Bay Charters, refused a nice chunk of change to take a few American and Japanese reporters over to get a good shot from the water of Mille Fleurs, the estate where the Sussexes were staying.

He was just starting a business and could have used the money. He said of the couple, well, “Maybe they’ll call and say, ‘Hey let’s go for a ride’.” Don’t think they did.

Deep Cove Market posted a “press-free zone” so that media from Italy, Japan, the U.S. and Britain would leave her customers alone. She thought the British reporters had been “very nice” to her staff as well.

Notice that these are not just British media making life difficult.

And finally, thanks to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and the CBC, we finally learned that we (the taxpayers) were responsible for nearly $334,000 in security protection for Harry and then Meghan, covering his trips to see her in Toronto and their short stay here in North Saanich, a Christmas gift from us to Harry and Meghan for a cool $93,000.

I don’t remember them thanking us. They left as quickly as they came. Virginia Watson-Rouslin North Saanich