Princess Anne is going to be in Barrie on Tuesday, and the preparations are already underway.
The Princess Royal holds a very prestigious title with a local regiment and today the Grey and Simcoe Foresters were getting ready for their colonel-in-chief.
It’s a simple parade drill the Foresters have practised several times, but when the regiment’s colonel-in-chief arrives to inspect the guard of honour, it has to be flawless.
“It's a lot of muscle memory and the younger troops have to learn the sequences,” says Sgt. Darren Reid. “I'm sure it will be outstanding.”
Today the regiment rehearsed again and again, several times for Tuesday's royal visit. It’s a visit that has been a year and a half in the making.
“We have a lot of respect and pride for our heritage and our history and part of that is having a member of the royal family colonel-in-chief,” says Major Perry Rittershofer. “And we don't get to see her very often so it’s a very big thrill.”
Master Cpl. Lyle Painter adds it's a historical event, “not something many people in the regiment got to experience.”
“I’m very excited,” he says.
The last royal visit in Barrie was in 1901 and the last time the Princess Royal inspected the regiment was in 1979 in Owen Sound, two years after she was appointed colonel-in-chief.
“I may never be able to see this again in my career,” says Warrant Officer Dean Henley. “To me I couldn't ask for anything better to happen in my career.”
These soldiers will also have a chance to meet Princess Anne privately at the Barrie Armory.
“I'm looking forward to answering any questions she may have,” says Rittershofer. He’s one of few members of the regiment who have seen the Princess Royal before. He was part of the guard of honour that welcomed her to Toronto's Queens Quay in 1986.
“It was a thrill and something I didn't think I would ever get a chance to do again,” he says.
Princess Anne will inspect the Grey and Simcoe Foresters guard of honour once she arrives at the Southshore Community Centre Tuesday afternoon and will then participate in a ceremony at the Military Heritage Park and will then make a dedication at a monument honouring Canadians who received the Victoria Cross.
In addition to her stop in Barrie, the Princess Royal will also meet with troops at CFB Borden on Wednesday.
CTV Barrie will be covering the royal visit, including a live stream on our website and full coverage on CTV News at 6:00.
