The “passion for making a difference in the world” shown by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has earned a Dubbo business woman’s “enormous respect”.
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Molly’s Place owner Therese has decorated her shopfront in recognition of the royal couple’s visit on October 17.
Photos of the newlyweds together, and with their families, in one window have caught the attention of customers and passers-by.
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The other window has the theme of the Invictus Games, the sporting competition for veterans created by Prince Harry.
“I think their passion for making a difference in the world is why I have enormous respect for them and thought I needed to recognise that in each of my windows,” Therese said.
And I think [Diana] would be very proud of the fact that both Harry and William continue to do that, they find a cause and they’re passionate about it
- Molly's Place owner Therese
From her Dubbo home she has always taken an interest in the duke and elder brother Prince William.
They were a new generation and things had “certainly changed within the royal family” of more recent times, she said.
The business owner was not tempted to swap her life for theirs, but she recognised the royal family was a “big part of our society and it has been interesting seeing how they evolve over the years”.
“Once they get behind a cause, the whole world seems to get behind them and I think certainly since the days of Diana, that’s what’s happened,” she said.
“And I think she would be very proud of the fact that both Harry and William continue to do that, they find a cause and they’re passionate about it.
“They make a difference and the world gets behind them.
“Now that Meghan is on the scene as well, she’s also passionate about what she believes in and I think the two of them together should be something we all should watch and see how that develops.”
The royal couple’s impending arrival was proving a tonic for a region in the grips of drought, Therese said.
The store owner reported the dry time had been having “an enormous impact on businesses”.
“It was becoming quite depressive and the announcement sort of brought a little bit of hope and brought some joy to many,” Therese said.
“So it’s not only something to look forward to, it’s also focusing a spotlight on our area.
“So there is enthusiasm within the town again, which has been a great thing.”
Down the road from Molly’s Place the Castlereagh Hotel has installed banners and cut-outs of the duke and duchess.
Dubbo Chamber of Commerce vice-president Kerrieanne Nichols last week hailed the planned visit as a huge boon for businesses across the spectrum.