'Willsmania' breaks out in Vancouver PRINCE William was yesterday invested with the double-edged honour bestowed only on those who reach the highest echelons of celebrity - mass hysteria.
"Willsmania" broke out for the first time in Canada as the Prince of Wales and his sons met the people of Vancouver. Thousands turned out for a glimpse of the three Princes but the complexion of the banners and the crowds - teenage, female and very excited - made it quite clear who was the main focus of attention.
"William - It's Me You've Been Looking For", held aloft by Jessica Larochelle, a 19-year-old care worker, summed up the mood. A nanosecond's view of the 15-year-old heir to the British throne brought screams, tears and the odd swoon. Buckingham Palace's guarding of the Princes' privacy - especially after the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, - seemed all the more justified.
The boys' first engagement of the day was at the Pacific Space Centre. The planned low-key visit was anything but with a large crowd of onlookers drawn by advance notices in the local media.
High-pitched screams and a few tears broke out as the two Princes arrived. Prince William, grinning and blushing, did his best to concentrate on the formal reception line rather than the hysterics behind the crush-barriers.
It was all over in a flash but even this brief encounter left a deep impression on the largely teenage crowd. "I'm shaking but I'm OK," said Nicole Archibald, 15. Vrenda Velhuis, 14, said: "He was real cute. He had a real nice tie and he dresses really good. He's the king of babes."
Some were upset that they had been unable to shake a royal hand or, dream of dreams, give their hero a kiss. "We got up at 6.30 to get here and he didn't even talk to us," sighed Caille Hayes, 14. "Still, he's still Your Royal Hunkiness." Others had spent hours in the cold waiting. "We've missed school but so what? My Dad said this should be a public holiday," said Tara Woodman, 15.
Together with her friend, Erin Hochstein, she had decided not to bombard the Prince with posters and gifts. "We just want to look," said Erin. Nor had she forgotten Prince Harry. "I think one day he'll be just great for my 11-year-old sister, Bethany."
Meanwhile, Prince Harry is rapidly developing his own fan club. "Everyone's after William but I love Harry," said Adriana Richmond, 13, clutching a red rose.
The boys' father had a much quieter day, visiting an old people's home before moving on to an anti-racism awards ceremony. He was due to meet up with his sons later in the day for a reception at a secondary school.
Robert Hardman
kittywinky@yahoo.com