When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make their much-anticipated visit to Victoria next month, they should feel right at home.

There’s always been a special connection between B.C.’s capital and the Royal Family that stretches back generations, according to the Victoria chapter of the Monarchist League of Canada.

“That’s why there are white lights on the BC Legislature, for the queen’s Diamond Jubilee,” said league spokeswoman Monique Gossinet-Miller. “Still to this day, we really talk about flying the royal flag, or standard. Here we are in Victoria, and it’s part of what we have become, because it’s part of how we became what we are.”

Gossinet-Miller said Monday’s announcement that Prince William and Kate are coming to visit Vancouver, Victoria, Bella Bella, Haida Gwaii and Kelowna between Sept. 24 and Oct. 1 is already whipping up excitement on the island.

“I can only fathom how many hats are going to be flying off the shelves for women’s fashion,” she said. “We’ll probably see an increase in media exposure, but I think what it does is motivates people to look into the Royal Family as a whole.”

A special welcoming ceremony will be held Sept. 24 in Victoria, according to Heritage Canada.

It’s expected the pair’s children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, will accompany them on the trip.

It’s their second visit to Canada, having travelled to cities in Quebec, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Alberta and the Northwest Territories following their wedding in 2011.

The then-childless couple drew massive crowds at all of their stops, and Gossinet-Miller expects that with George and Charlotte, even more people will clamour for a chance to glimpse the young family this time around.

“If people are looking to see the Royal Family or be close to the family, I imagine that there will be opportunity,” she said.

She expects the family will pay a visit to Government House, the office of Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon, or possibly take in some turn-of-the-century history at the Royal BC Museum’s Century House.

Of course, no visit would be complete without a trip to the BC Legislature.

“What an ideal moment it would be if a double-decker bus was driving past the BC Legislature as they’re walking past the steps,” Gossinet-Miller said.

The Royal Family’s itinerary also includes trips to Whitehorse and Carcross in Yukon.

Full itinerary below:

  • Sept. 24: Victoria, B.C.
  • Sept. 25: Vancouver, B.C.
  • Sept. 26: Bella Bella, B.C.
  • Sept. 27: Victoria and Kelowna, B.C.; Whitehorse, Yukon
  • Sept. 28: Whitehorse and Carcross, Yukon
  • Sept. 29: Victoria, B.C.
  • Sept. 30: Haida Gwaii, B.C.
  • Oct. 1: Victoria, B.C.