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VANCOUVER — As William and Catherine leave Calgary Friday for California, Canadians are left to ponder the significance of their wildly successful royal visit.
Sure, they were a hit. The two impressed with their informality, approachability, sensitivity, glamour and gentility.
But what did the meticulously planned nine-day jaunt really mean to the monarchy and to Canada?
For the palace strategists who put considerable care into the planning of this venture, the potential payoff will be huge.
Indeed this trip could mark the start of the salvation of the monarchy, says Benoit Pelletier, University of Ottawa constitutional law professor and a former Quebec cabinet minister.
Canadians lately have been lukewarm to the notion that Britain's monarch is Canada's constitutional head of state.
A May Angus Reid poll revealed 36 per cent of 1,005 online respondents want an elected head of state while 33 per cent support retaining the current system. Fully 32 per cent are indifferent or undecided. The poll's margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
In previous polls, respondents expressed an interest in Canadianizing the head of state post when the less popular Prince Charles succeeds Queen Elizabeth.
Pelletier says the visit by William and Catherine could reverse such sentiments.
"There will be less negativism about the British monarch because of the visit, and because the sovereignty movement (in Quebec) is weaker."
Quebecers, he noted, were impressed by the sensitivity exhibited by Prince William, who spoke some French whenever he delivered public remarks. He also spoke Dene in the North.
The showcasing of William and Catherine will prompt both Britons and Canadians to be less fretful about the succession of Charles and his controversial consort, Camilla.
"In my view," says Pelletier, "they have rescued the monarchy for many years and maybe a couple of generations."
The tour had significance from the perspective of the Conservative government as well.
Michael Behiels, who teaches political and constitutional history at the University of Ottawa, says Prime Minister Stephen Harper used the tour to "undermine the strong and accurate perception that he and his Conservative party are merely a pale replica of the U.S. Republican party."
Harper, says Behiels, is determined to derail a trend established by Liberal prime ministers toward promoting the Governor General as Canada's head of state.
High-profile Liberal appointees such as Adrienne Clarkson and Michaelle Jean tended to reinforce that notion.
Harper's recent naming of David Johnston as Governor General demonstrated his own determination to have a low-key player in that role so the Queen would be reaffirmed as this country's head of state, asserts Behiels.
The Toronto-based Citizens for a Canadian Republic, meanwhile, is condemning William and Catherine for jetting to California Friday to promote British film stars there.
"Of course, the royals' priority is to put Britain first. That's because they're British, not Canadian," says group director Tom Freda. "We believe it's time for a Canadian head of state who not only represents Canada exclusively but promotes our interests abroad as well."
Many who either actively condemn or support the monarchy tend to hold strong, emotional positions, as online blogs revealed this week.
Blogger Tony Seed writes: "Who are these people? What have they ever done?"
Blogger Donna Kay Madsen writes: "I just adore both of you and what you stand for. I can't wait until you become King and Queen of Canada."
With William and Catherine in the front window, the constitutional questions surrounding the head of state will become less pressing.
Fewer Canadians are apt to push for change or bother to even form an opinion on the subject. And that means no Canadian politician will care to touch the thorny issue for the foreseeable future.


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Jancis Robinson reviews Bachelder Wines – Pinch me!
When we dreamed these wines, part of the dream was seeing them in the UK. But the London Wine Fair and Jancis writing about them? Pinch me!
The most geographically energetic example of this is the new range of three Chardonnays made by Canadian Thomas Bachelder. The debut range of 2009s made in Ontario, Oregon and O…, no, just kidding, Burgundy is reviewed below. He is coy about exactly where his grapes come from but those Burgundian ones seem to be pretty special to me – or perhaps it is just the spell that Bachelder, widely admired ex winemaker at Lemelson in Oregon and Le Clos Jordanne in Ontario, has woven on them.
~ excerpt from Jancis Robinson's May 14th story "North Americans and their Burgundian Ways"
Here are Jancis' reviews:
Bachelder, Oregon Chardonnay 2009 Willamette Valley 16.5 Drink 2013-2018
Funky, almost earthy nose. Surely there is no selected yeast in involved here! A certain richness to the fruit here, without superficial sweetness. Bone dry on the palate – hints of baked apples and distinctly 'natural'. Relatively low acidity. Very firm and still a little chewy. A slow burner in terms of likely evolution. So different from the Oregon norm.. but I wouldn't object to a little more freshness. 13%
Bachelder, Niagara Chardonnay 2009 Niagara Peninsula 16+ Drink 2012-2015
Pale honey gold. Minerally, almost salty nose. Sweet and slightly simple nose. Nice crystalline fruit but not that much complexity. Fades rather fast. But it has a lovely texture and finishes appetising and dry. It may well evolve into something more stimulating and important. 13%
Bachelder, Bourgogne Chardonnay 2009 Bourgogne 17 Drink 2011-2014
One of the most attractive Bourgogne Blancs I have smelled. Very bright fruit with some real breadth of fruit before a dry, emphatic finish. Lovely clean, fresh, rewarding wine. Such confidence and beautiful balance. Quite evolved but delightful. 13%

subset: commoncrawl