Kate Middleton impersonator hopes to meet the real deal
Karen Brelsford has never been accused of being a “princess” — until now.
“I’ll take it,” Brelsford said with a laugh.
The actress and comedian also works as a Kate Middleton impersonator. She’s gearing up for next month’s royal visit, when the Duchess of Cambridge and her husband, Prince William, arrive in Victoria to begin their second royal tour in Canada.
Brelsford, now based in Cupertino, Calif., is best known for her work with the Victoria improv troupes Sin City, Broad Theatrics and Atomic Vaudeville, and in movies and TV shows filmed here.
She began impersonating the Duchess of Cambridge in 2012 when her agent got her a gig in Banff.
“It was the first time I heard that was even a thing,” recalled Brelsford, who returned to Banff a year later with Carolyn Sadowska, a local Queen impersonator she met through Winnie Cooper, who was then doing impersonations of Diana, Princess of Wales.
It marked the beginning of a succession of comedic gigs pairing Brelsford and Sadowska at private, public and corporate functions.
“It’s one of those jobs you don’t imagine you will ever get,” Brelsford said.
She also showcased her Middleton impersonation on She Kills Me, a comedy series that aired on the Aboriginal People’s Television Network.
When she appears in public as Middleton, she said, “people usually do a double-take and then they start to giggle” — a reaction she anticipates when she comes home to Victoria during next month’s royal tour, scheduled for Sept. 24-Oct. 1.
“I did tweet Kate. I invited her to meet me for tea,” said Brelsford, admitting she’s as excited about the expected Trudeaumania when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomes the royal couple.
“I don’t want to confuse Justin, though.
“He might think I’m Kate,” she deadpanned.