Being stalked by paparazzi is a way of life for the Royal Family in England, but there are concerns the sideshow will follow them on their B.C. trip that kicks off next week.
Media from around the world, including the U.K., will descend on Victoria when the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, arrive Sept. 24.
The trip is expected to generate worldwide headlines as it’s the first time both Prince George and Princess Charlotte will make an international trip with their parents Will and Kate.
A federal government official said the children will only make two – possibly three – public appearances during the week-long trip, and won’t travel with their parents to places like Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside or Haida Gwaii.
Asked about concerns that media will be trying to stalk the children while their parents are away, officials said they’ve “selected a location that makes that quite unlikely.”
The chair of Victoria’s chapter of the Monarchist League of Canada said it is a “massive” deal that the kids are coming, and the media spotlight will be unlike anything Canadians have seen.
“You’re going to see just how different media is from all over the world, and how here in Canada we understand a bit of etiquette and protocol, respect for space. That might not be the case,” said Monique Goffinet Miller.
But it’s nothing the Royals aren’t used to.
In 2014, Kensington Palace expressed concern over some of the dangerous tactics media used to obtain images of his son.
In a statement, it said photographers hid in sand dunes and car trunks to get valuable shots of Prince George, and even used other children to draw him into view on playgrounds.
During the trip, Goffinet Miller said she expects a massive security detail to accompany the Royals to prevent similar occurrences.
“We can expect to see hundreds of hotel rooms gone right away because of security, and we will see that security 24/7 within our community here in Victoria,” she said. “Look for all of the people wearing the earpieces and talking into their cufflink. It’s going to be fun.”
The paparazzi problem in the U.K. is notoriously bad, and Gossinet Miller evoked a tragic example as a reason why Canadians need to give the family their space.
“I don’t think I need to say anything more than Princess Diana. We have a problem as a culture, as a society, that we’re constantly egging on these paparazzi to get that photo, to get closer, because we want to see their eyes, we want to see their imperfections,” she said, clarifying that she wasn’t speaking on behalf of the monarchist’s league. “This has to be a comfortable environment. I think every person can do their part to make sure that that isn’t what we’re demanding.”
Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s two confirmed appearances are during their arrival on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Victoria’s 443 Maritime Helicopter Squadron.
The best opportunity for the public to see them will be on Saturday, Oct. 1 when they officially depart on a from Victoria’s Inner Harbour.
The children may make a third appearance at a children’s tea party at Government House on Thursday, Sept. 29.
Read about the Royal Family’s full schedule here.
With files from CTV Vancouver Island's Yvonne Raymond
