British media descend on Victoria in lead-up to Royal Visit
The 'British invasion' has already begun. Even though the royal family has not yet arrived in Victoria, dozens of members of the notorious British press have landed in the capital.
Full-time royal correspondents are set to track every move the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge make as they travel through British Columbia and the Yukon. So far, their impressions of Canada have been pretty positive.
"What a place, just a great place to come," said freelance photographer Mark Stewart, who has followed the royals around the world.
"Their program looks exciting, and it will take them to some exciting places. I am sure they are looking forward to it."
A close relationship
Stewart has been to Canada before, including photographing Prince William and Duchess Catherine on their trip to Canada in 2011.
Journalists who have followed the Royals to many places have noticed something different about B.C. when their itinerary takes them here.
"There is closeness. We are in British Columbia, aren't we? We are somewhere that has huge ties, ties that go back a long way. It will show in the way William and Kate interact with the people," said James Whatling, another freelance British journalist.
But it is not just the cultural ties that bind Great Britain with Canada. For The Sun newspaper's royal correspondent, Emily Andrews, it is the weather.
"I feel very much at home here because the rain is very similar to what we have in London. My impressions are that it is a very beautiful part of the world here," said Andrews.
Trudeau comparisons
For the British press, the one thing about Canada that seems to stand out is Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau.
Canada's most high-profile couple is set to meet Prince William and Duchess Catherine tomorrow on the grounds of the B.C. Legislature. It is that meeting that will have Andrews paying attention.
"Well obviously in the U.K., there is this awareness that you have got a rock star prime minister, a very young, good-looking prime minster with a very photogenic wife and young family.
There have been quite a few comparisons between the Duchess of Cambridge and Sophie. They are both very glamorous women."
