The whirlwind visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge William and Kate to Alberta has come and gone. I’m glad that they cared to visit Slave Lake where 40% of the town had been destroyed by wildfire in May, but has now come under another disaster, flooding.
Arti is also impressed by the royal couple’s secret hideout July 6 near Lake Louise. Well, maybe it’s not totally their choice, but kudos to whoever that was responsible for the arrangement, they opted for the historic and secluded Skoki Lodge:
Rather than the grand and monumental Chateau Lake Louise facing the world famous Lake:
At first sight, the Chateau is more fitting for a royal than the little rustic log cabin that’s Skoki Lodge. But this may well be a statement clearly transmitted … William and Kate are as unassuming as their down-to-earth mountain abode.
A day after the royal couple has left Lake Louise by helicopter to the Calgary Stampede, Arti drove a couple of her own visitors to the Lake. We encountered strong winds and drizzles under an overcast sky. But I hope William and Kate had had a brighter view of this magnificent natural beauty, and saw the glacier that was shrouded in low mystic clouds when we were there:
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As for their Calgary arrival for the Stampede, it’s quite a moving story. The bright yellow dress that Kate was wearing as she got off the helicopter could well be the most appropriate attire (rather than Western wear), for she represented a real-life princess Diamond Marshall had wished to meet in person. Six year-old Diamond has stage 4 cancer. Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she was chosen to present flowers to Kate. Here’s her letter written to the Duchess of Cambridge:
The most authentic moment, Diamond dashed out to hug Kate and presented to her a bouquet of flowers and her own hand-made friendship bracelet in a heart-shaped box. What did she think of the other half of the royal couple? “He was a little bit handsome,” she said.
CLICK HERE to read the story of Diamond Marshall.
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Kate and William did have their chance to don a white cowboy hat (Calgary’s honorable gift to distinguished guests). On July 7, Wednesday night, two members of Arti’s household had the invite to a reception organized by PM Stephen Harper. Arti’s own CS (turned CG in June) had the very close encounter of extending his long arm to shake both the hands of William and Kate. In the frenzy, CG’s iPhone photos were a bit blurry. But here’s a sharper view of the two royals at the Calgary Stampede:
Kate and William will have their all dressed-up, glamorous red carpet reception with the celebs, the rich and famous of Los Angeles at their next stop after Calgary. But I’m sure only here in Alberta can they relax in a Rocky Mountain log cabin, dressed in jeans and plaid shirts, and where Kate can receive an impromptu hug from a six-year old cancer patient who dashes out to show her excitement, and where sincere authenticity can be freely expressed and cherished.
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Key: CS=College Student, CG=College Grad
Photo Source: Skoki Lodge from Travel Alberta, Calgary Herald; Diamond Marshall & Kate Middleton, Todd Korol, AP; Kate and William at the Calgary Stampede, Reuters Phil Noble; Diamond Marshall’s letter from this site; Chateau Lake Louise and the fog-shrouded Lake Louise, Arti of Ripple Effects.
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Ripple Effects 
Well written, Arti! That was awesome! I’m glad they got to see Alberta, the best province in the world! 🙂
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D,
Agree… a beautiful place with a big heart!
A.
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Breathtaking, the picture of Lake Louise. Some of my biz friends have occasion to get there while on trips to our Calgary office. I haven’t yet. It’s just too exceptional a vista for (my) words.
As for the Kate and William info, thanks for that. They are a couple that have engaged everyone, from young to old(er) and I love hearing about their their voyages into the real world.
And I have a soft spot for fashion, and Kate’s is faultless. (now I sound like a tabloid magazine…)
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oh,
Hope you’ll have the chance to see Banff/Lake Louise first-hand one day. As for Kate and her first ‘official’ trip as a royal, I think she’s handled it marvellously… in jeans or designer dress!
Arti
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I would have chosen the cabin, too…Lake Louise & the glacier are beyond description. Thank you for sharing the story of Diamond; it is lovely, if sad. Kate clearly felt at ease with her & like all good princesses whispered a secret wish that I hope comes true…
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ds,
The story of Diamond Marshall is indeed sad, considering the hereditary effect of cancer. And yet, she’s so happy and excited to be there greeting Kate and William. She herself is an inspiration… again, beauty and sadness. I credit the planners of the event and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, to put a heart in the ceremony amidst all the buzz.
BTW, I’d to borrow the initials for College Student (now College Grad) that I first read on your posts… they’d appreciate the privacy I’m sure.
Arti
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Ever the protective mothers, aren’t we? Go right ahead–actually, it won’t be long before I’ll be borrowing your CG initials…
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is an amazing organization.
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ds, I thought your CS has turned CG already last month.
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Loved this Arti! This royal couple is so adorable! I really enjoy seeing and reading about them. Love the cowboy hats!
The photos of Lake Louise are gorgeous. So sweet that little Diamond got to present the Princess with flowers!
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Ellen,
The cowboy hats and Western wear are our attire for next week. As for Lake Louise, hey, next time you’re in Vancouver, it’s only about 10 hrs. drive to the east, or 1 hr. by plane. 🙂
Arti
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I haven’t been following their various visits to N. America so I’ve enjoyed your post, a little window into their trip.
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nikkipolani,
They’ve been here since July 1, Canada Day. But of course, it’s their trip to Alberta that got me excited… especially with Arti’s own clan members encountering them up close. 😉
Arti
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Great post — I loved every minute, photo and word! (Except what is CS and CG?)
I love the fact that they were in a cabin closer to their Anglsea home and the story of Diamond nearly made me cry. You have the greatest skill at sharing such things — and the photos (Oh, Lake Louise!) are excellent choices! Missed you while I was on vacation. Catching up!
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Jeanie,
LOL… CS=College Student, CG=College Grad, but, what’s Anglsea? Anyway, glad to have you back!
Arti
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Your beautiful post reminds me that alongside of, and because of, the suffering of pain and hardship, how important beauty is, both inside and out, especially for those, like Diamond, who face inconceivable and daily routines of agony.
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Ruth,
Well put and so true… beauty often is in spite of the odds. Diamond is a true gem.
Arti
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What a gorgeous photo of the lake! And the picture of William and Kate in their hats — what a good-looking couple.
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Dorothy,
I’ve better file photos of Lake Louise… it’s much more beautiful than this. William and Kate are a fine couple indeed.
Arti
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The lake is gorgeous! William and Kate make a great couple. And what a beautiful story about Diamond.
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Stefanie,
Lake Louise is only one of many lakes in the area… breathtaking views everywhere. On top of that, the cool, crisp and fresh mountain air. I’m sure Wm and Kate had enjoyed their stay there. And, do click on the link and follow Diamond’s story.
Arti
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LOL Arti … I went Googling to work out what CS and CG were, with no success, only to read on and find you had explained them anyhow! Nice post. (I well remember our few days in Jasper, Lake Louise and Banff. Magnificent parts of the world).
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whisperinggums,
Time for a revisit… 😉 The highway from Lake Louise to Jasper has been named the most beautiful drive in the world. You can see from my photo of LL here, even on a dull day it can still look so good.
Arti
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