Turning Out for Princess and Country

Two centuries after Paul Revere warned that the British were coming, they were greeted with cheers and merriment here Saturday.

Marching to the strains of “Bonnie Dundee,” the Royal Highland Fusiliers pipe-and-drum band led a procession down Town Center Drive to officially start the two-day Great British Food Fest at Town Center Park.

The outdoor festival--an admission-free event ending today--is part of the monthlong celebration honoring the culture and arts of the United Kingdom.

The crowd cheered and cameras clicked as Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II and a descendant of King George V, took her seat on stage, where she watched the procession.

American fascination with royalty aside, the loudest round of applause during the parade went to a Marine Corps band. Other procession units included classic British automobiles and the Orange County Firemen’s Assn.’s classic orange fire engine.

The princess, who was accompanied by her husband, Sir Angus Ogilvy, smiled but did not address the audience after receiving proclamations and Costa Mesa’s key to the city--an omission that disappointed county resident Delpha Cadogan, who was born in England.

“I was real disappointed she did not speak,” Cadogan said. “We have a real great affection for her, and I think that it would have been nice if everybody could have gotten to see how down to earth she is.”

After the procession and a tour of South Coast Repertory, the princess quickly moved through the festival grounds, where 9-year-old Amy Terrell of Costa Mesa got what she came for: a chance to greet a member of the British royal family.

“She’s pretty,” the young girl said. “I mainly watched her say ‘hello’ to other people.”

The aroma of grilled beef patties, Indian somosas, fish and chips and other fare filled the air, while comedians and musicians entertained.

Show tunes from “My Fair Lady” and “Oliver!” were performed by Ray Cooper, a one-man band.

And on the main stage, the “British invasion” in 1960s popular music was revisited by Rain, a four-member band that performs songs by the Beatles.

A few yards away, Derk Jaeger, 3, bounced up and down to the beat of “Roll Over Beethoven” as an ice cream bar melted in his small hand.

Although enjoying the rock music, the toddler said, “I like the pipers the best.”

Newport Beach resident Mario Narro said he lived in England for three years in the 1970s but did not get to enjoy much of the culture back then.

“That’s why I’m coming out today,” he said. “I thought I would catch up on lost time.”

John Keys of Oceanside looked like any other tourist until he introduced his 13-month-old son, Johnny, who was wearing a kilt. Keys, of Scottish descent, pulled out a wallet and proudly showed a photo of his son a month after he was born, wearing a kilt and lying on a plaid blanket.

“It’s great so far,” Keys said of the festival, which he hopes will be an annual event. “We would be here every time they held it.”