Edward and Sophie get royal welcome to Winnipeg

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This article was published 22/06/2016 (3709 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

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Fifty-three Manitobans got to get up close and personal with British royalty Wednesday.

The Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward, and his wife, Sophie, the Countess of Wessex arrived in Winnipeg during the morning for a brief royal visit.

The two touched down at the Royal Aviation Museum of Western Canada and were greeted by Premier Brian Pallister and his wife along with the Lt.-Gov. Janice Filmon. The Countess of Wessex, Sophie, brightened the dreary tarmac with a classic red pea coat and large pearl earrings.

The Earl presided over the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award ceremony alongside Filmon, Hartley Richardson and Manitoba president of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Tom McIlwham.

His wife toured the Deer Lodge Centre with Pallister later that afternoon. Kevin Scott, the executive director and chief administrative officer at Deer Lodge Centre, said the Countess and Pallister met with patients and residents following the tour.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s award has three levels: bronze, silver and gold. It is awarded to young adults who participate in areas of service, skills and physical recreation.

According to Lindsay Stovel, executive director of the Manitoba division of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the Gold Award ceremonies are held approximately every three to five years. Only the Gold Award ceremony is presided over by the Governor General of Canada or a member of the royal family.

“We do have his Royal Highness come as much as we can because he’s obviously our international chairman. We love to have him and his presence here to present the Gold Awards,” she said. Stovel added that the Earl’s last Gold Award ceremony in Winnipeg was in 2008.

For 20-year-old Gold Award recipient Jenelle Bogaski, the thought of meeting a royal was both exciting and nerve-wracking. “I was kind of holding my award, I was like, ‘I’ve got to wait until a royal (family) member comes,’” she said, adding that she happened to finish her award just in time for the ceremony.

Leading up to the ceremony, Bogaski said she was “super nervous.”

“When I came here I was shaking.”

But she added that he was “very friendly”, and asked whether she and the other recipients had fun completing their award.

Speaking to the 53 Gold Award recipients, the Earl said, “Feel very proud of what you’ve achieved. When you walk out of this hangar later on, walk a few inches taller. There are lots of people who go ‘Oh, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I could do that.’ Well, the difference is you know you can. Well done.”

After the ceremony, the Earl mingled cheerfully with the crowd, stopping now and again to shake hands and exchange hellos with guests.

“He seemed very nice — down to earth,” said William Walker, who spoke briefly with the Earl. His son, Teegan, and his daughter, Kiara, received their Gold Awards at the ceremony. According to his wife, Siobhan, their oldest son has waited “years” to get his award. “He completed it five years ago, but he’s been waiting and waiting and waiting for a member of the royal family to do the award,” she said.

Prince Edward is the chairman of the international council of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which was created by his father, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh in 1956. He is the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. In 1999, he married Sophie Rhys-Jones, who worked in public relations. They have two children together, Lady Louise and James, Viscount Severn.

The Earl and Countess head next to Regina and Calgary for more Gold Award ceremonies.

alexandra.depape@freepress.mb.ca