Folksy Fergie is their cup of tea
By Michael Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The duchess shaka'd.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
She gamely tongue-and-gummed her way through "Lili'uokalani" — twice.
Sarah Ferguson flashes a shaka sign during an appearance with Halau Hula Olana. Natalie Kamau'u, an assistant halau leader, is at right.
She even shed a tear watching Halau Hula Olana dance to "White Cliffs of Dover."
By all indications, Sarah, Duchess of York, seemed nearly as enamored with Hawai'i as the more than 300 rapt Fergie-ites who packed the Ala Moana Macy's housewares department were of her.
Sarah, now pitch-duchess for British fine china producer Wedgwood, was an overwhelming hit during yesterday's brief presentation of Wedgwood wares and the special "china signing" that followed.
"I just love her to death," said June Delaney. "I still have her wedding on video. It's unbelievable to actually see her in person."
Organizers said reservations for the 320 available seats were filled within days. At least another 100 people lined the periphery of the presentation area, craning their necks for a peek at the former wife of Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II's second son.
"I tried to get a reservation, but it was too late," said Leah Cid, who came to the store anyway with her children Joe Jr. and Jacoby. "I was so sad. I'm just hoping to get a glance."
Many in the mostly middle-aged, mostly female audience said they've closely followed the ups and downs of the 42-year-old duchess' public life, from her wedding to Andrew in 1986, through her scandalous breakup, to her reinvention as a self-described "single working mom" and "closet American."
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Sarah's down-to-earth reputation has made her an ideal spokeswoman for Wedgwood, as the 243-year-old company tries to promote everyday use of its pricey, coveted china.
It got crowded at the Ala Moana Macy’s as people tried to get a closer look or a snapshot of the duchess who used to be the daughter-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II.
And where a less charming figure might have drawn sniffs for some of the schmaltzy rhetorical tactics the duchess employed yesterday, Sarah communicated nothing but earnestness, speaking as naturally about the suffering children in Kosovo as she would describe the Crown Sapphire china set she received from Wedgwood for her wedding.
"It was inspiring to see what a natural woman she is," said 84-year-old Gil Gibson. "My father was from England, and I've always been impressed by the royal family. But most of them are so stiff. She's so natural, I wanted to put my arm around her."
Gibson bought a small Wedgwood plate for the duchess to sign.
"I think I used up my Social Security check buying it," he said. "But that's OK."
Thirteen-year-old Catherine Vericella, whose father works for the Hawai'i Visitors & Convention Bureau, got to meet the duchess on Thursday. They got along so well, Sarah enlisted Vericella to help her pick out a few gifts for her children, 13-year-old Princess Beatrice and 10-year-old Princess Eugenie.
"It was really exciting," said Vericella's mother, Dana. "She acts just like anybody else. She's touchable."
Gary and Karen Carr of Memphis, Tenn., were in Macy's cosmetics department when they found out about the duchess' appearance.
Too late to get seating for the presentation on the fourth floor, the Carrs staked a spot near the third-floor elevator and hoped for at least a fleeting glimpse of the duchess.
They got more than that.
As Sarah walked toward the elevator after a brief press conference, Karen Carr called out: "I loved you on Oprah!"
The duchess, flanked by public relations staff, stopped long enough for the Carrs to get a once-in-a-lifetime photo.
"Unheard of," Gary Carr said later. "I was really surprised she stopped for us."
