The Royals Drive Thru Culver City

Tim and I were debating where to eat dinner when Karen, who lives near LAX, called.

“There are hundreds of helicopters hovering over my house,” she said.

“OH MY GOD! THE ROYALS!” I yelled, forgetting all about my empty stomach. “Are they on TV?”

“Yes,” she confirmed

“OK. Good-bye!” I said, dashing over to the television. I was so engrossed in my work that I’d forgotten Prince William and Duchess Catherine were flying into L.A. this afternoon. Tim and I watched as the royal couple stepped out of their plane and into one of several waiting Land Rovers. Their motorcade then headed north toward Playa del Rey. Next stop: the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.

“They’re taking Culver Blvd. to the freeway,” we both guessed. Even though William and Kate’s itinerary—including a stop in Culver City this Sunday!—is well-known, their travel route is closely guarded, so there was little chance for me to plan ahead to see them drive by. We assumed they’d take the Marina freeway to the I-405. But when they passed the onramp, we both suddenly realized they were taking surface streets to Beverly Hills. And not just any surface streets—they were taking our own Culver Blvd., only a handful of blocks from our house.

I grabbed the camera and my phone.

“I’m going to see them!” I yelled at Tim as I went running out of the house and down the street.

By now, the helicopters were flying over our neighborhood as people emerged from their homes to see what was going on.

“Where are you going?” one neighbor asked as I ran by.

“THE PRINCE!!” I yelled. I was madly trying to call Tim to see where the motorcade was.

“They just passed Sawtelle,” he informed me. “Uh oh. Now they’re crossing Sepulveda.”

I had missed them, so stopped running and jogged back home. I arrived just as the motorcade turned left at Overland.

“Why didn’t you take the car?!” Tim asked incredulously. I had gotten so carried away that I just ran out the door! The funny thing is, I can’t remember the last time I ran anywhere, let alone down the block in flip-flops. I was like a woman possessed!

Still panting, I heard the newscaster ask his colleagues, “Does anyone know what street they’re on now?”

“OVERLAND!!” we both yelled at the television. Sure enough, there was Sony Studio on the right, followed a few minutes later by Westside Pavilion mall on the left. I have to say, they were making damn good time—something every Angeleno has to admire, especially during rush hour. The motorcade then turned onto Pico.

“They’re taking our secret way!” Tim and I marveled. Even the royals know the freeway is a nightmare this time of day!

We remained glued to the TV until William and Kate were safely inside the Beverly Hilton. We then got back to the business at hand.

“So where do you want to go for dinner?” I asked.

P.S. Like I said above, the Royals are returning to Culver City on Sunday. This time I plan to be better prepared. Watch for my report early next week . . .