(re-posted with permission of the National Post © 2007)
MARCH OF DIMES; The caregivers and the cared-for meet a Royal
Zosia Bielski
Weekend Post
Saturday, June 09, 2007 - Ontario played host to the most humble member of the Royal Family this week: Princess Anne came to Toronto for tea: Earl Grey, orange pekoe, party sandwiches with crusts trimmed, lemon and chocolate squares, scones and English double Devon cream, of course. A string quartet played Yesterday, among other standards.
Organized by the March of Dimes Canada, the event at the Sheraton Centre Hotel launched the Festival of International Conferences on Caregiving, Disability, Aging and Technology, which takes place June 16 to 19. More than 100 caregivers, care recipients, volunteers and disabled people got a chance to hobnob with Queen Elizabeth's only daughter, who has been dubbed "the working princess" for her tireless efforts on behalf of 200 charitable organizations. A few snapshots from the scene:
Even by royal standards, Princess Anne's life seems hectic: Fresh from engagements in Regina, where she inspected members of the Royal Regina Rifles on the unit's 100th anniversary, she has flown to Toronto for her appearance at the March of Dimes tea and dinner gala. Right after, she will fly out.
Each table has been assigned a host, responsible for introducing the princess to the guests. Dr. Mark Golding of the Ontario March of Dimes is one of them. "I don't think people of any generation get to meet royalty that often," he says, cue card in hand, and poised to deliver his best Royal bow. Princess Anne arrives, understated in a hunter-green and navy checked suit. A closer look reveals the bling: a thick gold necklace, heavy gold earrings and a glinting seahorse brooch. Black gloves separate her from the masses; they come just above her wrists. A somewhat severe updo completes the look: perfectly restrained. The former Olympic equestrian strikes a commanding figure as she visits each table. Channelling her playful father, Prince Philip, she occasionally cocks her head curiously and raises her eyebrows mischievously.
An eagle-eyed, silver-haired security guard stands behind the princess at all times. In 1974, Anne was the target of a failed kidnap attempt that left her fending off a mentally unstable man. Her private detective, chauffeur, a journalist and police officer were shot. The experience left its mark: Anne later decided against royal titles for her children, Peter and Zara.
The tea is a who's who of disability rights advocates, including Niagara-based accessibility champion and journalist Linda Crabtree, Toronto lawyer Mary Louise Dick-son and shooting survivor Louise Russo. "Everyone with a disability is extremely active within the organization. They give more than they could ever get," says Kimberly Dowds, associate director of national programs, March of Dimes Canada. Even with an ageing Boomer population in Canada who will increasingly need assistance, caregivers are still overlooked, observes gala patron Sally Horsfall Eaton, sparkling in a white Jackie O number.
As Anne moves from table to table, the proceedings start to resemble a safari. A small swarm of photographers encircles her while an assistant moves cake trays and chairs from their path. "She's moving on!" cries an anxious volunteer, dodging out of the way. "The horse is about the only person who does not know you are royal," the princess once said.
But Bistro on Two manager Vinayak Zore remains unruffled: Having worked in Dubai, he says he's served "all royals."
After an hour, Princess Anne sweeps from the room as quietly as she entered. She has taken in close to 100 abbreviated life narratives. She has not taken tea.
zbielski@nationalpost.com
© National Post 2007