Monday, June 04, 2012

Diamond Jubilee


I would be remiss if I did not pay tribute to Elizabeth II this week as the British Empire commemorates 60 years with  Queen Elizabeth as the reigning monarch. She is the longest-lived and second-longest-reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. Festivities are ongoing and included a flotilla of 1,000 boats on the Thames on June 2 with concerts, teas, and other events to follow as the week progresses. I've been enjoying televised segments of some of the festivities on BBC America, as well as timely updates from friends in the UK as they report on celebrations both on a grand scale nationally and communally.They are sharing about community lunches, colorful buntings, flags decorating the streets, and tipping teacups in tribute. It is a festive time that seems to be capturing 100% of their attention! 


In my corner of the world, I look around my own home to see what can tokens and memorabilia can remind me of Queen Elizabeth and her reign. My mother was a young Canadian girl during World War II and she looked up to the Princess Elizabeth who was a teen at the time. When Elizabeth II became Queen of England, she also became Queen of Canada, a position that my mother held near and dear to her heart. I compare it to the fondness that many of us in future generations felt for Diana, Princess of Wales. Mother's fondness and respect were rooted in loyalty and favor, both attributes that Mother passed on her her own daughters. Thus, gathering small tokens of the Queen over the years has been a natural process for me. Here are some of the mementos that I have to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II. The first (above) is a plate commemorating her coronation on June 2, 1953. I received it as a birthday present from my dad about 25 years ago. He found it in an antique store on a trip across Canada that he took with his sisters. They were visiting their childhood home in Manitoba, so for me this plate commemorates that family excursion as well. Although I was not on the journey, my aunties and father have given a full report over the years.





Three coronation teacups honoring E II R can be found in my china closet. Each was designed to celebrate her 1953 coronation and each varies in style and intensity. From the ornate to simply elegant, each implicitly expresses the joy of a nation at the crowning of their young queen.


Added to the celebratory scene are tea candles that Karleen brought home and gave to me last summer after she visited Buckingham Palace. She also brought me tea in the same beautiful packaging. I am savoring it during special times.


Congratulations to the UK as they celebrate in a style only known to royalty! It's a Diamond Jubilee!

10 comments:

  1. Very pretty china!

    ReplyDelete
  2. A nice tribute to your Canadian heritage. I've nothing so lovely as all those vintage commemorative pieces you have, though I have seriously been considering visiting a Brit shop to find something to remember this Diamond Jubilee by.

    ReplyDelete
  3. What absolutely wonderful momentos of a grand queen! Thanks so much for sharing! I'm always cheered by your posts! They brighten my day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A fitting tribute and what a gift to have such beautiful china to share and commemorate the Queen's reign.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow, La Tea Dah, you have a lot of remembrances of royalty. Long live the Queen! Susan

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous4:26 AM

    LaDonna, your mementos are absolutely beautiful, especially the teacups. When I still lived in the States and first started collecting teacups, I usually ordered them from eBay and was always amused that the most beautiful ones always seemed to be located in Canada. I am glad that you have a special connection to the U.K. <3

    ReplyDelete
  7. I keep wishing I had some English/Canadian blood in me but alas, I'm Norwegian/German. But I am an Anglophile and I feel all the love and joy that is sent to the Queen.
    Val
    PS, I have many many books of autobiographies and pictures of Elizabeth, and all the past queens of England. So it's rooted in me too.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love seeing your commemorative china. The top teacup is so very pretty. How lovely for Karleen to bring the candles and tea from her travels. Thanks for sharing more of your story and connection with the Queen.

    ReplyDelete
  9. What wonderful pieces to commemorate a special time! I will 'date' myself when I say I remember Queen Elizabeth's coronation! I was a v.e.r.y young girl, lying on my stomach on my great-grandmother's living room floor as we watched it on an old black and white TV. I remember so much of it and I know I loved every part of it. Most of all I remember the gorgeous floral carpet I was lying on!
    ~Adrienne~

    ReplyDelete
  10. LaDonna, I love your collection of royal china! So pretty!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for commenting on my blog post. I am always happy to hear from blog readers. Your words encourage and inspire me. I am glad you stopped by to share conversation, recipes, ideas, and thoughts on creating a welcoming home.