A Royal Encounter

Kate Bandura, 
Lookout Editor

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As I stood in the presence of Her Royal Highness, I couldn’t help but be flooded with memories of the first time I met her a decade ago. It was a crisp Remembrance Day morning when I had the privilege of escorting Princess Anne to the National War Memorial in Ottawa in her colours party. That day was marked by a profound sense of awe and formality, characteristic of a young sea cadet from an immigrant family meeting Royalty for the first time. The gap between a cadet and a princess felt enormous.

 

Fast-forward ten years to today, and I find myself in a remarkably different yet strikingly similar context. This time, the setting was an intimate gathering with the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (EMFRC), where Princess Anne’s visit was not just a formal event but a deeply personal interaction. The room buzzed with excitement and mutual respect—a testament to the shared values of dedication, service, and community between the royal family and the military community. It was a powerful demonstration of how the royal family understands and appreciates the sacrifices and contributions of our military.

 

While my previous encounter was an overwhelming impression of a distant, almost mythical figure, today, Princess Anne felt approachable and engaging. This transformation is not just a reflection of my own growth but also of the shifting dynamics in royal engagements. The Princess Royal, dressed in combat dress with a ‘Canadian Fleet Pacific’ ballcap and ‘HRH’ name tag, seemed less like the distant Royalty of my youth and more like a committed member of our Defence community.

 

Other attendees also reflected on their own encounters with members of the Royal Family.

 

“I met royalty back in the 80s during the Commonwealth Games,” said Christine Richard, EMFRC Board Member. “I’m excited to meet Princess Anne in person because of her work ethic. I think she is one of the hardest workers and one of the best representatives for the Royal Family.”

 

Princess Anne was genuinely interested in the stories of military families, their challenges, and the EMFRC’s support. She took the time to ask each person in the room insightful questions, and her ability to connect with everyone individually was extraordinary.

 

“Her Royal Highness was so gracious and spoke with everybody, and I think our people felt really appreciated,” said Jackie Carlé, EMFRC Executive Director. “Of all the places she could have visited during her visit to Victoria, she chose to spend time with our military families. And that speaks volumes to how she really understands the commitment, as she comes from a serving family herself.”

 

I found this experience to be profoundly humbling and inspiring. Meeting Her Royal Highness as a cadet was a moment of awe; meeting her now was a moment of personal connection. As I left the event, I concluded that Princess Anne’s visit was more than just a royal engagement; it was a celebration of the strategic significance of our Pacific Fleet. Princess Anne’s presence as the Honorary Commodore-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet was a powerful affirmation of our naval forces’ vital role in maintaining regional security and fostering international cooperation.

 

Captain (Navy) Kevin Whiteside, CFB Esquimalt Base Commander, echoed the visit’s significance.

 

“Seeing Her Royal Highness show up today in our combat dress I think set us all at ease, showing us that she is a person who has been doing incredible work for so many years,” he said. “This, to me, was probably the most special moment of my tenure so far.”

 

His words resonated with many of us, highlighting the profound impact Princess Anne’s visit has had on our community. Perhaps much has changed over the past decade, yet the core values of dedication, service, and community remain steadfast. These values inspire cadets like me to pursue careers supporting the Royal Canadian Navy, base commanders like Capt(N) Whiteside to lead with integrity and vision, and all Canadian Armed Forces members to work together toward global peacekeeping and maritime stability.