Dave Kerr awkwardly waits for his chance to meet the Duchess.
The Duchess of York signs a copy of her book during McHappy Day at the Woodside Square McDonald's in Scarborough.
Canadian Idol host Ben Mulroney gets comfortable with the milkshake machine.
Updated Wed. May. 9 2007 6:14 PM ET
As he handed out burgers and shakes to surprised drive-through customers on McHappy Day, Canadian Idol roving reporter Dave Kerr took pride in knowing he'd given each customer his best in the name of helping raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC).
He didn't know there would be one guest he'd have no choice but to treat like royalty - Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, who paid a surprise visit to the Scarborough restaurant where Kerr and the gang were volunteering.
"I feel like I met royalty today -- because I did," said an overwhelmed Kerr after a chat with the Duchess that began when he awkwardly sidled beside her for a photo. "I was pretty nervous.
I wanted to address her with the respect that she is due and I found myself a bit tongue-tied.
"I mainly ended up talking about my mom, who's a big royals fan."
Ferguson made the stop as part of her duties as global ambassador for Ronald McDonald House, which once a year collects $1 from certain meals to donate to children's charities across the country.
"As a mother, I know that nothing is more important than helping children in need," Ferguson said in a McDonald's press release.
"I am honoured to be a part of the 15th McHappy Day and my hope is that McHappy Day will help inspire people across Canada -- and the world -- to become personally invested in the well-being of our children."
An active campaigner for child welfare causes, Ferguson joined Kerr, Idol judge Zack Werner, host Ben Mulroney and former competitors Rob James and Chad Doucette in showing support for McHappy Day at the Woodside Square McDonald's location.
Also on hand were CTV's Zain Meghji, Jacintha Wesselingh, Tom Brown, Monica Matys, Claude Feig, Anwar Knight and Andria Case.
While the Duchess herself spent most of her time signing copies of her recent book and chatting with young people supported by RMHC funds, the Idol crew donned aprons and visors to work the cash counter and hand out drive-through orders - except Werner, who listed his main task as "roaming around annoying people."
McHappy Day supports 170 Canadian charities and has raised over $22.
5 million since its inception in 1977.
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