It won’t just be spectators and security swarming the grounds of the B.C. Legislature on Saturday, more than 500 members of the media will also flood downtown Victoria.
Journalists from across Canada and around the world will be in Victoria this weekend to cover the royal visit.
The eight-day tour through B.C. and the Yukon will have cameras, microphones and notepads detailing every move of the world’s most-watched couple.
“It’s the first time we’ll have seen Princess Charlotte on her first royal tour. We haven’t seen much of her back in the U.K., so we’re all very excited,” said Emily Andrews, a royal correspondent for London’s newspaper The Sun.
Andrews is one of about 70 British journalists in the capital city covering Will and Kate’s tour of the west coast.
It’s the first official foray into B.C. and the Yukon for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday that he and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau will also be at Saturday’s ceremony.
“Two very photogenic families. You’ve got the rockstar Prime Minister, the beautiful British Royals. It’s a photo made in heaven really isn’t it,” Andrews said.
More than 25,000 people are expected to pack the grounds of the Legislature on Saturday, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family.
“You know there’s going to be thousands of people down here, but if you’re not going to be down here, this is why we work so hard,” CTV camera operator Steve Colterman said.
Media personnel have been busy preparing for the visit.
A 53-page document that sets out the history and context of the places the Royals are going was sent out to the press.
Over the eight days Will and Kate are scheduled to attend over 30 events, shedding light on social causes, the environment and First Nations issues.
Fashion is also expected to be a hot topic.
“Of course William’s got to up his game hasn’t he,” Andrews said. “He’s been wearing these snazzy new jackets. We have all been wondering within the press pack whether he’s been having to jooj it up because of the Prime Minister.”
CTV will cover the welcoming ceremony live at 5 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a live recap of the Royal’s first day at 6 p.m.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island's Robert Buffam