When my mother learned that the Prince and the Duchess of Cambridge are going to visit Yellowknife as part of the Canadian tour, she said to me that it is a must that I see the Royals. My mother is a fan of the Royals. She loves the Queen Mom, her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth and the late Princess Diana. Just like many others, she stayed up late to watch the Royal Wedding of Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and she was heartbroken and was bawling when the news of Princess Diana's death was announced. So I know how much it would mean for my mother that I see the Royal Highnesses Prince William and Duchess Catherine. She told me so anyway.
I do not know why am I not a Royal fan as my mother. I truly do not know. Upon hearing that the Royals were coming to Yellowknife, I did not feel as enthused as I should be. But then the day of their arrival came, and it was a rainy day. The more I got discouraged of going. However, on the day that they will grace Yellowknife with their presence at Somba K'e Civic Plaza, the sun came out and gave us a perfect weather for the Royal event. And I did not have any more excuse. So I went.
City Hall path to the Legislative building
View in front of me. That's Great Slave Lake
This is little Emma and err.... (I forgot her name.) I took a photo of them because I overheard her talking that she forgot her camera. So I said to her if she like I could take a photo and send this to her by email. She said yes. I am standing right beside them.
This is me waiting for the Prince and the Duchess.
I was standing under this post getting a bit bored of the long wait and tired.
Anxious and tired people but the enthusiasm was there and infectious
They are coming! I could not see. Pointing and shooting at this moment with my right arm extended.
And there he is
Sorry guys, he was talking on this shot saying," Oh I wish we can stay longer but we can't."
And at this point I quickly took my camera off because he came to me and said, "Oh hello," right on my face, took my hand, and I said, "Welcome to Yellowknife." He said, "Thank you", and then off to the next person beside me... actually to two people.
Candace and her baby girl.
He says, "Oh this is a sweet one right here." He shook the baby girl's hand. This photo reminds me of his mom Lady Diana.
And then swoosh! smoothly but swiftly he was already there talking to the lady with a pretty hat who dressed up for the occasion.
The Prince is almost out of sight but I caught him one last time.
There she is.
Nice smile and nice outfit!
pointing and shooting. At this moment, this security just told her not to go any further. He showed Kate the wires and the barricade stand that is obscuring her way which could cause her to trip.
There, my neighbor was the last one she shook hands with as the security beside her took her out of the way. She looked at me and the people at the back and to the people to the other side of the barricade and said, "I'm sorry I've got to go." Remember that Prince William went all over, she did not because she could not.
And there she was.. They are told what to do, so in a way, they are restricted.
One last shot. People talking about what just happened, sharing photos. I went by myself so I just decided to go home, still surprised as I did not expect to get that close to a real life Prince.
I was not giddy or anything but I felt it was an extraordinary experience. It was unlikely and yet possible at the same time. One lady came to me and said, so did you get close? I said yes. She said, "Aww lucky." And the woman went and stood at my spot hoping to get a glimpse of the Royals.
Earlier on the day of the event, I was getting bored and anxious and I said to Candice, the woman with a baby, " I hope this is going to be a life changing experience for me." She said, "Of course it is. Wait you mean after this?"
"Yes, after this."
And I guess she was right. I could not help but to think of the opportunities I had in terms of meeting people since I came to Yellowknife. I met a lot of fascinating people: poets, storytellers, writers, famous and award winning authors. Who knew I would meet a real life Prince in my lifetime? I didn't. But this experience taught me this: Surprises do happen if you just let it and they do happen in the most unexpected places and circumstances. The key is to appreciate the moment and let it teach you its lesson. In his speech, Prince William said, "This place is what Canada is all about - vast, open beauty, tough, resilient, friendly peoples, true nature, true humanity," the prince said with Kate seated beside him. "We've already sensed the extraordinary potential of this region and the irrepressible spirit of adventure that marks the people of the territories and defines the land. We are so excited to be here."
You know, the universe talks to us in mysterious ways... and I am thinking, that maybe.. just maybe, the universe talked to me through Prince William that day.
