Among Atlantic Canadians, hope for a King who is 'really involved,' reaches youth
CTV
Around the Atlantic region, provinces long known as friendly toward the monarchy held celebratory events in honour of King Charles III's coronation.
As she sat with her nine-year-old daughter at a coronation viewing Saturday, Mandy Chapman said she's hoping for a King who reaches out widely when he next comes to the East Coast.
"It's different, I've only ever known the Queen. That's all we've ever known in our lifetime … It's going to be an adjustment for sure," said the 49-year-old Halifax resident, who was among the winners of a lottery to attend a breakfast at the Nova Scotia lieutenant-governor's residence.
Chapman brought along her daughter Bella to enjoy the historic occasion in the ornate ballroom. The pair beamed as they enjoyed tea, scones and sweets at a table decorated with flowers.
Still, amid the pomp and ceremony, Chapman -- who works for an agency that provides fruits and vegetables to those struggling for food access -- said she hoped the new King will carry on his mother's legacy of charity work.
"They should be the King and Queen of the people," she said. "They shouldn't just be figureheads, but be really involved in what people are doing here in Canada."
A few tables away, wearing a pink fascinator that shone under the chandelier, 20-year-old Noelle Lavoie said she believes King Charles needs to be particularly attentive to connecting with young people when he visits Atlantic Canada.
The Halifax resident said she's interested to see how the King uses social media to reach out to her generation.
