A chance to shine,
The royal visit to B.C. and Yukon is more than a series of photoops and a chance to rub elbows with future kings. It offers a chance to shine a light on the selfless work of ordinary Canadians and create awareness of great causes, according to an expert on the British aristocracy.
Mariel Grant, a history professor at the University of Victoria, said the visit of Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and their two children is not just a symbolic trip to the colonies.
“They are not coming as tourists or coming as celebrities. They are coming here to represent the Queen, who is our head of state. I think it’s important to emphasize this is an official visit … a visit of future kings,” Grant said of Prince William and his son, Prince George.
While some will question the point of such a visit and the cost associated with it — paid for by the governments of Canada, B.C. and Yukon — Grant said the royals play a significant role in the country’s affairs.
She said their status can make things happen, whether that be getting the ear of decisionmakers on behalf of non-profit groups or bringing disparate groups to bargaining tables.
“These people are in a position to bring all sorts of different people to the table. People take their phone calls,” said Grant, noting this visit will include a reconciliation meeting with First Nations leaders.
“They facilitate connections and are in a very strong position to use their position for the betterment of communities. That’s why some historians have called the modern monarchy the welfare monarchy.”
Grant said such visits offer a chance to celebrate the sacrifice of military groups, first responders and ordinary Canadians who do extraordinary things.
“Because they are apolitical, they can represent all Canadians regardless of their political affiliation or background. And they can play a role then in recognizing, on behalf of all Canadians, the service of people who give back to our communities,” she said.
While that happens through interactions with governors general and lieutenant-governors, Grant said the kind of scrutiny the royals receive “ramps up that attention to a huge degree.”
Citizens for a Canadian Republic, a non-profit group pushing for the country to become a parliamentary republic rather than a constitutional monarchy, is not against royal visits per se, but is concerned about the cost.
“We don’t really object to the royals visiting, mainly because their presence automatically triggers questions and debate of the relevance of the institution in Canada,” said director Tom Freda. “However, royal visits are very expensive.”
Freda noted that William and Kate visited Canada as recently as 2011.
“Many Canadians would probably agree that the millions the royal visit is going to cost could have been better spent applied directly to First Nations issues instead, where it’s very much needed,” he said.