One day with the princess

Weekender
ROYAL VISIT
Princess Anne being shown the library and learning centre of the new Vabukori Women’s Development Association on April 12.

By LULU MAGINDE
THERE are not a lot of people in this world fortunate enough to say that they were able to spend a day with a member of a royal family.
I don’t mean this in the literal sense of the word, where I had a private audience with the princess, but I was privileged to have been a part of the team that travelled around with Princess Anne during her official visit to Papua New Guinea.
Although I wasn’t one of the lucky few that had the opportunity to exchange words with her, I have first-hand accounts from the girls at Caritas Technical Secondary School, women from Vabukori village who shared their positive impressions of her.
April was to be a busy month, with the royal visit to mark the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen, elections in tow, the final sitting of the 10th Parliament and a myriad of other events that encompassed my job.
The National had a team of three reporters to cover the royal visit and we all separated accordingly for the visit so as not to overlap but also because protocol demanded for order and for media to be at the venue in advance of the Princess arrival.
I was only present at three events but spent half the day following her entourage of the second and busiest day of activities.
My first sighting of her was at Government House when she called on the Governor General Sir Bob Dadae as the head of state, directly after her arrival from the airport. She was awe-inspiring as she stepped out of her car in a pant suit, when I know that younger royals like Kate would have elected for a dress.
I’m sure she came acclimatised for the weather and the visit as she looked slightly tired (understandably) but prepared for the next few hours of engagements before she could rest after 7pm.
After a 15 minute private chat with Sir Bob, she came out to sign the guest book and then departed for Airways where she would be hosted by Prime Minister James Marape and his wife for a welcome cocktail reception.
Her first day was more relaxed, compared to the second day, packed full of activities throughout the city and only ending late in the evening.
From Caritas she went to the national hospital to open the cardiac centre, then to St John’s ambulance, then on to two different Central villages, the Bomana war memorial site, Adventure Park, the national museum, then back to Government House to knight Sir John Pundari and capped the night off with a dinner hosted by Sir Bob and Lady Emeline at APEC Haus.
Caritas Technical Secondary School, in full pomp and tradition was ready to welcome the royal with cultural groups stationed all throughout school grounds that she would be visiting.
Her entrance into the assembly hall to kick off the formalities, was grand and expected for a distinguished guest, with two rows of girls in traditional dress, representing the 22 different provinces, forming a path.
As she was unable to visit any other province, which she remarked was a shame, the students and staff went all out to put on a production bringing the provinces to her as she was told in the welcome remarks.
Watching her reaction to the performances, I could tell she was highly entertained and intrigued by a lot of what was happening and often had School Directress Sister Mazarello Choi briefly point out provinces and customs.
There were always three protocol officers behind her or securing the area which reminded you that her safety was always of the utmost importance even though she had a sergeant of arms by her side at all times and a police, defence force and even ambulance escort.
She toured the grounds of the school, escorted by the school directress, the chaplain accompanying her husband Sir Timothy Laurence behind them, followed closely by the principle, a horde of reporters as well as the various security and protocol officers attached to her escort.
Head girl and grade 12 student, Albina Bogombari, who had the pleasure of welcoming the princess with a lei and presenting her with a small bouquet when she left, described her experience as surreal.

Princess Anne remarking to school director Sister Mazarello Choi how amazing it was to watch music being produced from bamboos by a Central Bougainville bamboo band at Caritas Technical Secondary School on April 12

Bogombari explained that everyone at school had been preparing the whole month and that they were not sure at first that the Princess would visit.
Princess Anne had asked certain students who presented her with a bouquet, about their own home provinces and commented on how much hard work it must have been to prepare for her visit, thanking them personally for their preparation.
Caritas Business College student, Unifa Peiwa who had the privilege of giving the Princess a guided tour of the cooking lab, had the opportunity to share a joke with the princess and Princess Anne remarked that she had been shown the “after” (already decorated cakes) before the “before” (cake decorating station).
Departing from Caritas, she made her way to her next event but then I made my way to the Vabukori village where she would be opening the Women’s resource centre, which now serves as meeting place for the Vabukori Women’s Development Association (VWDA) and a learning centre.
Slightly behind schedule, Princess Anne was welcomed to Vabukori village from the moment she entered the turn off by small school children waving British and PNG flags, in the same fashion her mother was welcomed on her first visit to the commonwealth as regent in 1974.
Upon her arrival at the Vabukori Women’s resource centre for the official opening, she was greeted by Moresby South MP Justin Tkatchenko, members of the VWDA and Motu-Koita Assembly Chairman Dadi Toka Jr to name a few.
She greeted a small class of third and fourth generation Vabukorians, early learners studying to read and write at the learning centre, with books donated by Buk bilong pikinini.
She was then ushered upstairs, where she was welcomed by a women’s choir and heard words of acknowledgment from Vabukori Hanua Councillor Rahe Maraki Rau, as the Chieftain landowner of the land the centre was built on and had the opportunity to view an exhibit of handicrafts from local artisans.
Before her departure, she officially unveiled the plaque declaring the centre open after which she made her way to Hanuabada village for the next itinerary.
A colleague was already awaiting her arrival at Hanuabada so my events had been covered and all I could do was follow along in the convoy.
I’m not sure if it was because there were a lot of activities to get through or because it was particularly hot that day, as blessed as I was to have the opportunity to be a part of it, it felt like an especially long day.
Overall, the experience of the visit was a mix of emotions for me as a journalist. As exhausting as it was for me to run around places following her with my camera, I can only imagine what it must have been like for her to have 10 more pointed in her face, and handling it all with such grace.