New princess for William, Glenwood’s goose honks with joy

William and Kate. – Peggy deWitt photo

Love is in the air again for William, the grey swan goose, who lost the love of his life last month.

Prince Edward County OPP on Wednesday arrested two males – ages 17 and 18 – in relation to the shooting death of Kate, in March, who with William, lived at the pond at Glenwood Cemetery for the past 15 years. The two were donated as a gift and later were named after Britain’s royal couple.

William had stopped eating and continued to cry out for Kate, until a new princess arrived Thursday afternoon from Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in Napanee. She, too, lost the love of her life last year to a hungry fox.

Sandy Latchford, Glenwood Cemetery Board Chairman, said Sue Meech, from Sandy Pines, co-ordinated the donation of a female Chinese swan goose, from the County’s Carol Ladouceur.

“Our new princess is a two-year-old female white Chinese Swan goose. William is a grey swan goose however Sue assured us that this would not matter to William,” said Latchford. “Sue released her into the pond area. When she honked, William immediately began to swim rapidly over to her. He strutted around her and then led her out into the pond for a tour.

“Sue Meech told us that the swan goose has been bred for domestication and cannot fly very far. They also like to have a companion, so we are expecting William to be more content now. He’s not crying anymore.”

The youths are to appear in the Ontario Court of Justice in May. They face charges of killing an animal other than cattle; possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose; entering premises when prohibited to do so and trespassing.

Kate and William. – Peggy deWitt photo