VICTORIA - It was May 1st, 1986 when Prince Charles and Princess Diana thrilled Nanaimo with an appearance on the waterfront. Thousands turned out a day earlier at Victoria's Legislature, where the Princess of Wales charmed the crowd with her warm friendly smile.
More than twenty-three years later it is Charles and his wife Camilla visiting Canada for the first time as a couple. But the crowds gathered to meet them have been smaller than expected, on the heels of a poll suggesting a majority of Canadians feel the monarchy is behind the times.
Victoria's Bruce Hallsor, a member of the Monarchist League of Canada - disagrees. "The reality is most Canadians like the monarchy, and it's part of who we are as people" he says.
Hallsor admits the world's fascination with the late Princess Diana played a role in the Royals' popularity in decades past, but says islanders are still drawn to the next in line to the throne.
"Most people are coming out today to see Canada's future King, and they might also be curious about his new wife who they've never seen before."
But Hallsor agrees the massive crowds of two decades ago, or even seven years ago when Queen Elizabeth came to town are unlikely to be equaled during the Royal Couple's weekend visit to Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
