Leave your lawn chairs at home.

That’s one of several recommendations the City of Victoria is making to residents hoping to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family upon their arrival Saturday.

With thousands of people expected to flood the capital city’s downtown core to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, people are predictably being urged to plan ahead and expect road closures and delays.

Because of the massive crowds, the city is asking the public not to bring “unnecessary items” like backpacks, bags and lawn chairs when Will and Kate make their first appearance on the lawn of the B.C. Legislature at 5 p.m.

Driving will be next to impossible in the core with several street closures, and those coming downtown are urged to take transit, walk, cycle and get dropped off a few blocks from the Inner Harbour.

“Transit users should be aware that transit routes and times may be impacted by higher volumes and road closures downtown,” the city said in a release.

Those closures will take effect Saturday beginning at noon, and include:

  • Wharf and Humboldt Streets between Courtney Street and Gordon Street
  • Government Street from Wharf to Superior Street
  • Belleville Street from Oswego Street to Douglas Street
  • Menzies Street from Belleville to Superior Street

Traffic access will be limited to local traffic only on:

  • Wharf Street between Fort and Douglas Streets
  • Oswego Street between Belleville and Superior Streets
  • Sections of Quebec, Kingston, and Superior Streets close to the Legislature Buildings

Multiple parking restrictions will also take effect at 6 a.m. Saturday, turning stretches of Government Street, Belleville Street, Menzies Street and Superior Street into no parking zones.

The city is also taking steps to remind drone enthusiasts that the use of drones in the Inner Harbour is strictly prohibited by Transport Canada.

The Saturday event will be one of the only opportunities for the public to see the Royal couple, the city said.

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps, Esquimalt Nation Chief Andy Thomas and Songhees Nation Chief Ron Sam will represent the city at the event. 

You can read about the Royals' full itinerary for their B.C. visit here.