Blink and you might miss the royal visit to the North Shore this Sunday.
But at least one group of volunteers will get to hobnob with members of the Royal Family as the Queen's youngest son and his wife attend a reception with them following a walk along the Trans-Canada Trail in Capilano Regional Park.
The whirlwind royal visit on Sunday afternoon will also include a tour of the Capilano River Hatchery.
Prince Edward and his wife Sophie - known formally as their Royal Highnesses the Earl and Countess of Wessex - are in B.C. for a brief five-day tour, beginning Friday with a reception hosted by Lt.-Gov. Judith Guichon in Victoria. While in the province, Prince Edward will present the Duke of Edinburgh Awards for youth volunteers.
Edward, now 50, is the fourth and youngest child of the Queen, who for the most part conducts his royal duties out of the limelight.
Edward and Sophie aren't as well known as other members of the Royal Family, said Carolanne Reynolds, West Vancouver monarchist and chair of Heritage West Vancouver, who hosts a tea to celebrate the Royal Family every summer.
"They don't have the charisma of Will and Kate," she acknowledged, "But there is such a thing as quietly fulfilling your role well, which deserves respect."
Reynolds described Edward as "a complex character who's had some problems" - ranging from his decision to quit the Marines to a failed film production venture.
He married Sophie Rhys-Jones in 1999 and the couple has two children.
Reynolds said while some people don't see the value in the monarchy, "I consider the monarchy our insurance policy. If things get really bad we can appeal to the queen or the king and they can halt our political leaders."
"It's great to have the head of your country who is not a politician," she added.
Despite the wealth and privilege of the Royal Family, Reynolds said she doesn't think its members have an easy life.
"There's immense pressure on them," she said. "You don't have time of your own. You don't have privacy."
This year, at her royal tea event, Reynolds had a large birthday card on hand for the public to sign for Prince George - the son of Kate and William - who celebrated his first birthday in July, and is now third in line for the throne.
She added that monarchists have recently been given another boost by the news Kate is pregnant with the couple's second child.
Edward and Sophie will wrap up their visit in Kelowna on Tuesday.
