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Santa Monica Locals and Ex Pats React to Royal Visit |
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By Michael Aushenker July 11, 2011 – With the arrival of Prince William and Princess Catherine, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, in Los Angeles this weekend, what better place to take the temperature of public opinion on the royal newlyweds’ visit than right here in our backyard. Santa Monica and the United Kingdom, specifically Britain, have long been kindred spirits. In the 1930s, Anglo playwright Christopher Isherwood lived in Santa Monica Canyon and frequented the local haunts here, as did the British-born, Anglo-American poet W.H. Auden. Mid-20th century, Arthur Stanley Jefferson of Ulverston, England, better known to the world as the comic actor Stan Laurel, settled down in an Ocean Avenue apartment, where he lived until his death in 1965. These days, notables such as George Harrison’s son, musician (and dead ringer for his late father) Dhani Harrison, keeps an office here. The English connection goes on and on. And then there are the pubs. Locals and visiting Brits alike are drawn to downtown destinations such as the Cock ‘n Bull British pub on Lincoln Boulevard, Ye Olde King’s Head Pub on Santa Monica Boulevard, and, a couple of blocks away, the Third Street Promenade-bordering Britannia Pub, where lately one might hear “Please Please Me” or “Love Me Do” echoing out into the summer night. At Ye Olde King’s Head Pub and and its adjoining Bulldog bar over the weekend, spirits were high among the patrons as the Royal Couple, who had arrived in Los Angeles late on Friday and had departed Sunday afternoon, executed a quickie weekend itinerary that included a stay at Hancock Park, a Saturday sprint up to Santa Barbara for a polo match, and visits to Skid Row, Beverly Hills, and a Culver City job fair on behalf of various charities. None of this really impressed West L.A. resident Enrique Rosas, 30, who has no British ties and, perhaps consequently, did not see what all the fuss was about. Then again, as Rosas pointed out, “We live in the entertainment capital. I don’t get starstruck [easily]. I’ve seen all kinds of famous people over the years Maybe if it were [Robert] De Niro or something.” Heineken in hand, British native Anna Severin is visiting this week from San Francisco, where she lives and works as a corporate consultant. “I’m excited they’re here, although they seem to be packing an awfully lot into one weekend,” Severin said. The middle-aged redhead disagreed with Rosas’ premise. “It’s not exactly like with Hollywood celebrities,” she said. “It’s not just about being rich and famous, it’s the lineage, too. It’s a whole other level of elegance and class.” Severin’s friend, Brentwood resident Arazoo Narjmajin, agreed. “Come on! Catherine’s so beautiful, so attractive! I’m not English but I follow her every move,” said the effervescent brunette. “She’s amazing!” “I’m old enough to remember when Charles and Diana were married and it still means a lot to my family,” Severin said. “There’s a touch of magic with the Royals that transcends Hollywood. It’s not so chinsy. You know, even a hot mess like Fergie [Sarah Ferguson] would probably never do a reality show [like] Sarah Palin.” Not every English native was as smitten about the Royals or the weekend L.A. fly-by. “It’s kind of annoying, to be honest,” said a scruffy-looking dart-thrower named Malcolm Fowlkes as he sat out a round. The sandy-haired 20-something Brighton resident is visiting with friends for the month. Fowlkes believed that next weekend’s freeway construction had already led to the cancellation of the annual French Festival in Santa Barbara, where his hosts had intended to take him. Many of the vendors hail from L.A., which is also where a good majority of people drive up from. As a result, that plan has been dashed. Now Fowlkes wondered if Will and Kate taking L.A. by storm might somehow create a royal pain in the, um, asphalt for drivers this past weekend, too. “I guess I can’t catch a break,” Fowlkes said, smiling. “Next time, I’ll visit in October!” Over at Britannia, another American, Joe Kelley, was altogether unaware of the hullabaloo. “I wish them luck,” he said, when informed. “Good thing they didn’t come next weekend.” |
“It’s not just about being rich and famous, it’s the lineage, too. It’s a whole other level of elegance and class.” |
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