Prince William of Wales opens the Darwin Centre – answers and notes
HRH – His / Her Royal Highness – this title indicates that the person is associated with the British royal family. Not all members of the royal family use this title, however, even if they are entitled to. Some simply use titles such as Duke or Lady – and they are addressed as ‘Duke’ or ‘Lady’. The title for the Queen or King is HM – His / Her Majesty. If you are presented to a member of British Royalty remember to turn the title into ‘Your Majesty‘ or ‘Your Royal Highness‘! Eg ‘Yes, Your Royal Highness, my name is John / Mary Brown’. Prince Charles, William’s father, is the heir apparent to the throne of England – i.e. he will ascend to the throne when Queen Elizabeth, his mother, dies, or gives up the throne, because he is currently first in line to the British throne. Prince William is second in line to the throne.
1 Coming here first as a child with his mother (i.e. Princess Diana).
2 Awe, wonder and just the shiver of something more. (A (he says that) sense of awe and wonder and just the shiver of something more.)
Notice that it is the custom, in English, to put your personal pronoun last in a list. Eg Roger, Jane, Rachel and I have decided to go on holiday to Germany. John has invited Gordon, Sharon, Kate and me to his party. You will often hear English people get this wrong!
3 You step off the street(s) (and) (you step) through the door(s).
4 Beady.
beady – of an eye – small, rounded, observing things clearly. Eg The children were all playing happily, under the beady eye of their teacher.
5 Its eye-socket.
A tyrannosaurus rex is shortened to a T-Rex.
6 At the very forefront (of research). (The outstanding facilities and the dedicated staff show that they are ‘at the very forefront of research.’)
7 Privilege – it is such a privilege…. = a real privilege.
8 Enhance – improve the quality, value or extent of
9 Peerless. (This magnificent new wing will further enhance the museum’s peerless reputation.)
10 The word phase. Prince William declares the 2nd phase of the Darwin centre open.
When officials declare a place open they usually use a phrase such as ‘I declare this gallery open.’ Prince William uses another common phrase, “It gives me great pleasure in declaring (or to declare) the …. Centre open.”
11 He uses the word ‘cue‘ – ‘cue butterflies’.
A cue is a signal to an actor or other performer to enter or begin his / her speech or performance. We also use it to mean a prompt or reminder for something else to happen, as here. Eg – When the music starts that’s your cue to come up and give your speech / that’s the cue for you to close the doors.