Prince mania: William wows the girls
by Patrick Sawer
There were tears, bouquets and posters proclaiming their devotion. In scenes more reminiscent of a film star or pop group's arrival than a royal visit, Prince William and Prince Harry continued to draw a delirious response from young Canadian fans.
While Prince Charles praised Canadians for their efforts fighting racism and preserving Western Canada's beautiful coastline, the attention was really all on his two sons.
Before leaving Vancouver for a four-day skiing holiday, Prince William, 15, and Prince Harry, 13, smiled bashfully for hundreds of adoring young girls who behaved as if Leonardo DiCaprio had just flown in.
Shannon Raimondo, 14, was close to tears because she had not managed to get close enough to William to deliver a bouquet and teddy bear when the Princes arrived at the Pacific Space Centre. "I love him so much," she said. "He's royalty. He's so hot. Look at him! I've got posters all over my bedroom, but he's so much cuter in the flesh."
Caroline Carter, 14, skipped school to participate in what Canadians are already referring to as "Prince mania". She even planned to follow the royal trio to Whistler, the famous ski resort located north of Vancouver.
Harry smiled and reached out to the crowds that greeted, them shaking hands and accepting bunches of roses.
William looked rather more uncomfortable on the first stop of a one-day tour around Vancouver, constantly feeling his collar, but by the third stop he had relaxed a bit and seemed to be coming to terms with his status as teen idol. The Princes then joined their father on an additional engagement at a Vancouver high school where an estimated 10,000 girls greeted the royal party.
After completing their official duties yesterday afternoon, the trio took off in helicopters for Whistler, with Charles and William travelling separately for security reasons.
All three left with a gift that is in hot demand in Vancouver at the moment; red and white Team Canada Olympic jackets and hats. The crowd cheered as the boys shed their sober blazers to try on their sporting gear.
St James's Palace has emphasized that Charles' main purpose in making the weeklong trip is to enjoy a spring holiday with his sons and show them a part of the world he loves.
© Associated Newspapers Ltd., 25 March 1998