This weekend, royal watchers will be on the edge of their seats as William and Kate (that’s the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to you) and their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte touch down in B.C. for an eight-day tour.
Like all royal tours, it’ll be part theatre and part diplomacy, plus some heavy brand promotion (both ours and theirs).
Is the world really ready for photo ops featuring both the royal family and the Trudeaus? Consider that a win-win in the realm of image marketing.
Of course, every royal visit prompts questions of whether the monarchy has outlived its usefulness. One letter writer recently suggested Canada needs the monarchy like a frog needs a pogo stick.
There are some – perhaps many – who believe the monarchy has no point in our modern world. Logically, they are probably right.
Yet the royals have endurance and weight of history on their side. It’s not hard to see why a country that chooses to value “peace, order and good government” might be content with that.
It’ll also be hard to ignore the fact that Canada’s own political dynasty will be front and centre with the royals this week.
At its best, a royal tour can shine a light on particular causes, just as celebrity ambassadors do.
Mostly, though, there’s a fascination in seeing storybook characters in the flesh and seeing a small bit of our own lives reflected back at us.
For that, we’re willing to roll out the red carpet for a royal welcome.
Quite literally.
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