Canada loves its Royals…mostly
Canadians have a love affair with the Royals. Well, let me qualify that; some Canadians have a love affair with some Royals.
I am one of these. My only excuse is that my last name is Buckingham.
On June 30 and July 1, Ottawa was abuzz with Royal fever. Every hotel room in the city was booked. Huge crowds thronged wherever William and Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, were scheduled to appear.
And the Royals did not disappoint. They engaged with the crowd, shaking hands, accepting flowers and chatting with young and old alike.
While technically I was within 10 metres of their Royal Highnesses as they passed by among the throngs of Canadians, I couldn't really see William and Catherine. But just being on Parliament Hill on Canada Day was a great experience. Prince William's speech was all that it should be, warm and gracious. Duchess Catherine wore a little red fascinator (hat) adorned with maple leaves.
They are our own celebrities. Well, sort of.
William is, indeed, our future king. We are, after all, a constitutional monarchy. The Governor General represents her, but Queen Elizabeth is our Head of State.
The role of Head of State is limited, but important. The Head of State ensures that there is always a Prime Minister. Twice, we have had a Prime Minister die in office. In the unlikely event that this happens, don't panic. The Governor General will have someone in office in a jiffy. There is, in fact, a handy list prepared by the Prime Minister's office. So, today we don't have to worry about the Governor General appointing willy-nilly as happened the last time when Sir John Thompson died of a heart attack at Queen Victoria's luncheon table.
The Head of State is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Canadian Forces. Prince William did a fine job reviewing the troops at Rideau Hall on June 30, just to reinforce this aspect. The Royals are prepared for this role in Britain as all princes have military training. Our Governors General have had to learn on the job.
The Head of State gives royal assent to all bills of Parliament before they become law. This is a check on Parliamentary power as it ensures that laws are properly passed. The Governor General ensures due process is followed by Parliament. He also reads the Speech from the Throne, and dissolves and recalls Parliament.
While in Britain, the Queen is also “defender of the faith," being the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. However, we do not have a state church in Canada. Considering that there are more Roman Catholics in Canada, at least according to the census, it would indeed be an odd role for our Governor General.
From time to time, there have been suggestions that Canada should sever this last tie with Britain and become a republic. In fact, when Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla came for a royal visit two years ago, two thirds of Canadians were ready to ditch the monarchy.
The monarchy was not ready to be ditched, and the Queen visited a year ago on Canada Day.
Canadians have reconsidered and support for the monarchy is back up to about 60 per cent everywhere except Quebec.
Perhaps this also has to do with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Harper corrected former Governor General Michaëlle Jean when she referred to herself as Canada's Head of State. He has re-introduced monarchist symbols like the crown. He has shown warm support for royal visits.
The monarchy is clearly looking to Will and Kate for revitalization, both in Britain and abroad. From early indications, it seems to be working in Canada. Canada Day was a Royal love-in.
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