A Royal Encounter

As I stood in the presence of Her Royal Highness, I couldn’t help but be flooded with memories of the first time I met her a decade ago. It was a crisp Remembrance Day morning when I had the privilege of escorting Princess Anne to the National War Memorial in Ottawa in her colours party. That day was marked by a profound sense of awe and formality, characteristic of a young sea cadet from an immigrant family meeting Royalty for the first time. The gap between a cadet and a princess felt enormous.

Fast-forward ten years to today, and I find myself in a remarkably different yet strikingly similar context. This time, the setting was an intimate gathering with the Esquimalt Military Family Resource Centre (EMFRC), where Princess Anne’s visit was not just a formal event but a deeply personal interaction. The room buzzed with excitement and mutual respect—a testament to the shared values of dedication, service, and community between the royal family and the military community. It was a powerful demonstration of how the royal family understands and appreciates the sacrifices and contributions of our military.