Small businesses, artists and youth had the opportunity to meet a member of the British Royal Family, as the Duchess of Edinburgh visited Spruce Meadows for the 50th anniversary of the Masters tournament on Friday.
While on the grounds, Sophie visited the Horizons Art Pavilion, where she met artists and looked at their work.
Indigenous artist Neepin Auger had the opportunity to show her art pieces about Indigenous culture and storytelling.
One piece that caught the Duchess’ attention was called “Once Upon a Time.”
“This showcases people inside the tipi, and a connection to the stars above,” Auger said. “She liked the bold colours and the people inside the tipi.
“I’m so grateful that she chose to stop here and that I was able to share some Cree culture with her.”
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, visits with artist Neepin Auger at Spruce Meadows.
Right next door, Jessica Lennox said she had the chance to showcase her wildlife art to the Duchess.
Originally from England, Lennox said she moved to Cochrane three years ago to start working on North American wildlife.
“When I was in England, I never met any of the Royal Family, funnily enough, then you come to Canada and all of a sudden you meet one,” Lennox said with a hearty laugh. “But it was really nice, I wasn’t expecting it.”
In the Equiplex Shopping and Spirits Marketplace, small business owner Anne Corpuz-Bacalaso had the opportunity to showcase her jewelry pieces to the Duchess.
“It’s such a big honour to meet her in person,” Corpuz-Bacalaso said.
Two sisters — 17-year-old Mercedes and 15-year-old Anastasia Korngut, founders of Small Bits of Happiness — had time to speak on the importance of mental health with the Duchess.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, visits with teenage entrepreneurs Anastasia and Mercedes Korngut at the market stall for their business Small Bits of Happiness at Spruce Meadows during the Masters tournament Friday.
“She was so kind and it was wonderful to meet her,” Mercedes said. “We introduced her to ourselves, and told her about our mission and finding happiness in your life, our product, and we showed her the products in-depth,” Mercedes said.
The Duchess later made a trip to the Youth Centres of Calgary’s Ogden location. It is one of the organizations supported by the Spruce Meadows Leg Up Foundation.
Site Captain for YCC, Grace Schamber, said the Duchess played a few games and had the chance to meet with youth at the centre.
“She got to play Uno with about four of the youth,” Schamber said. “Some of the kids were kind of merciless and they skipped over her a few times, but she was really sweet and it was really nice to have her involved with the kids.”
Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie plays Uno with children at a youth centre in Calgary Friday.
The Duchess lost that game of Uno to young Miia Martynova.
“It felt pretty normal, because I never lose in Uno,” said Martynova.
Marley Lostuk and Sierra Boltwood also played basketball and took photos with Sophie.
“She seems like a super nice lady, even though we didn’t know her,” Lostuk said. “It felt like meeting someone’s grandma, without knowing somebody’s grandma. You just know she’s sweet.”
Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie plays basketball at one of the Youth Centres of Calgary supported by Spruce Meadows.
Boltwood added that after meeting her, they had the chance to take a few photos before shooting some hoops.
To their surprise, the Duchess even managed to score a bucket on the kids.
Overall, they were happy to meet a member of British Royalty.
“It’s crazy because she’s someone from royalty I’ve never met before,” Boltwood said.
dgonzalez@postmedia.com