The balancing act of William and Kate
Their arrival was referred to as a “charm offensive,” but frankly, that is an understatement. The Royal visit to British Columbia and Yukon captured the hearts of Canadians as soon as Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, walked off the plane with their young children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
It was a study in contrasts from the beginning: British media had a field day when little George — adorable in his skyblue sweater and knee socks — gravely refused to reciprocate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s welcoming offer of a highfive or even a handshake. Instead, he shook his head, ignored Trudeau and waved to the crowds.
Perhaps not, but this family has nevertheless earned rave reviews from commoners everywhere who appreciate the couple’s interest in folks from all walks of life. One of the first places Prince William and Kate visited after arriving in Canada was the Downtown Eastside section of Vancouver, a lowincome, high-crime neighbourhood whose population struggles with addiction issues. There, consistent with their interest in mental health advocacy, they visited Sheway, an outreach program for pregnant women who struggle with drug and alcohol dependency.
As they continued on their tour of British Columbia and Yukon, with its stunning mountains, shimmering waterways and forest-covered Haida Gwaii islands, it is impossible not to admire this young couple who have, along with the stalwart Queen herself, pulled off a complete turnaround in the way the Royal Family is regarded.
William and Kate are simply exemplary. Their personal dignity is beyond question. They work hard, but always with a warm smile of greeting. They are figureheads, guided by high ideals, yet they seem genuinely interested in connecting with as many people as possible. Like William’s late mother, Diana, they understand that the value of their celebrity lies in the way it can be used to bring attention and compassion to pressing social concerns. The scandal-plagued embarrassments of royals in decades past have drifted into distant memory. William and Kate plan to keep them there.
Every now and then, we in the Commonwealth might question the reason for continuing to support a royal family. Where does their special status belong, in an age when all citizens are regarded as equals? Perhaps the answer lies in understanding the balance between respecting centuries of tradition on one hand; and recognizing that a healthy society must be open to constant innovation and change, on the other. It is a delicate task, but William and Kate have got it right. Bravo to them.