TOUR DRAWS CROWDS IN KELOWNA
Crowds come from far and wide as duke, duchess stop by UBC campus
The Duke of Cambridge solicited a little advice from a science student on how to manage gut bacteria Tuesday during a visit to the University of B.C. Okanagan campus.
Nishat Tasnim, an international masters student who served as a student greeter to the couple, said she fell into the unexpected conversation with the duke and duchess after they queried her on her field of study.
“I study bacteria in the gut and as soon as I mentioned that, William asked me if probiotics are good for us or not,” she said.
Before proceeding, Tasnim asked if they wanted the long answer or the short answer.
William requested the short answer, so she gave it to him straight: “Maybe.”
The UBC Okanagan campus, nestled in the rolling hills of the Okanagan Valley, is a stark contrast to Bella Bella’s Great Bear Rainforest, where the royal couple toured Monday in driving rain.
UBCO student body president Blake Edwards said the royal couple were enjoying the balmy temperatures.
“The duke said that in Bella Bella there was a lot of rain, and he was really glad to be able to experience the sunny weather which we are known for here,” Edwards said.
The crowd that lined the pathways of the campus to greet the duke and duchess was modest compared with that in Victoria and Vancouver, but no less enthusiastic. Some had travelled from northern California, others from Calgary, to catch a glimpse. Many turned up before dawn. Joel Koette showed up with a 1981 issue of People magazine that featured a newly engaged Diana Spencer on its cover, a gesture that expressed what many in the crowd felt — an enduring connection to Prince William through his late mother.
“William is so much like his mom, and I think Kate will grow into that position, to be a lot like Princess Diana, and I really love Princess Diana,” said Montana Gibson, who came from Logan Lake, near Kamloops, to see the couple.
Although the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge represent a deep tie to tradition, and to Canada’s position as a constitutional monarchy, the nostalgia for Diana may also be a longing for something this royal tour has not yet had: a breakaway from the strictly choreographed.
Arthur J. Edwards has photographed the Royal Family for 40 years and is part of the U.K. contingent documenting this trip. Edwards has taken many of the most famous photos of the family, including the one that introduced Shy Di to the world: Diana with her kindergarten students, sunlight shining through her sheer skirt. He said that magical moment simply hasn’t happened on this tour yet.
Although Kate and William have not strayed too far from the strictly planned walkabouts on this visit, Kate has performed some style magic. The crowds at UBCO erupted in cheers when she appeared wearing a deep emerald-green Dolce and Gabbana dress with a flared skirt and a puffed sleeve that would have satisfied Anne of Green
Gables. And, of course, everywhere she goes, Diana’s ring goes with her, the deep blue sapphire that Charles gave to Diana, which Kate now wears on her left hand.
The duke and duchess were hosted at UBC Okanagan by UBC’s new president and vice-chancellor, Santa Ono, and accompanied by Premier Christy Clark and UBC chancellor Lindsay Gordon. The official business included unveiling a plaque to commemorate the 10th anniversary of UBC’s Okanagan campus, an aboriginal welcome song and a gift of food from Grand
Chief Stewart Phillip, as well as the dedication of a piece of artwork by Les Louis that was commissioned to honour the partnership between UBC Okanagan and the Okanagan Nation Alliance.
The royals then went on to watch the UBCO Heat women’s volleyball team in an intersquad game. Ono told the duchess she was welcome to join the game, but the duchess begged off — she said she and William had both forgotten their trainers.