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!

A Royal Wedding Pizza

By now you have probably seen a plethora of pictures of the royal wedding pair.  So, how's this for something new and unusual?  This picture is being forwarded along via emails and I think it's quite unique.  Prince Williams' suit is created from salami and peppers, while Duchess Kate's veil is fashioned from mushrooms.  Her dress is made from cheese.  According to the chief marketing officer for Papa John's, "it tastes as good as it looks".  Now, if you would like to see some serious wedding photos, the British Monarchy's Flickr photostream can be viewed here.  

Queen Elizabeth II Teacups

Queen Elizabeth II was of my mother's generation.  As a loyal Canadian, mother had a fondness for English royalty and especially for the Queen.  Mother was proud that a young woman near her age was crowned Queen of the British Empire.  Throughout her life she retained this affection and followed happenings of the Queen throughout her life.

While on the subject of royalty, I thought I would share the rest of my collection of English commemorative tea ware.  These are teacups and saucers that commemorate the Queen's coronation and a trip to Canada a short time thereafter.

This simple teacup and saucer commemorate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.  The outside has her royal cypher.  Inside the teacup is her picture surrounded by a royal lion and unicorn.  It is Royal Albert Bone China, England.

This teacup was created to commemorate a trip that Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip made to Canada.  On the base it says it is Royal Albert Bone China, Made in England to Commemorate the Royal Visit 1959.  The word Canada is placed on the front under their picture.

Victoria C & E, Bone China, England.  Inside the brim are words that say "HM Queen Elizabeth II.  Additionally, on the front are the words Coronation June 2nd 1953.

The bottom of this teacup has these words:  A Perpetual Coronation Memento Specially EIIR Designed by Hammersby; Bone China; Made in England 1953.  Inside the brim of the cup are the words:  Long life and happiness to her majesty.

This little silver spoon is special to me because it was given to me by a tea friend.  It features a crown-shaped point, along with an embossed profile of Queen Elizabeth II and the word Coronation and the year listed as 1953.

Lastly, is a coronation plate that was a Christmas gift from my father one year.  He found this plate in an antique shop while on a trip across Canada several years ago.  There are three markings on the back of the plate.  One is of a crown with the words Johnson Bros. Made in England and the words Old English above the crown.  Beside it is a seal with the Union Jack in the center and words that designate this as an "official design".  The third marking is a crown in gold and red with Queen Elizabeth's official royal cypher below it.  The words which surround the picture of Queen Elizabeth designate this as a Coronation June 2nd 1953 plate.

The Prince of Wales Feathers for Teacup Thursday

This morning I am joining Miss Spencer and her friends for Teacup Thursday.  The teacup and saucer I am sharing today is one that commemorates the marriage of the parents of Prince William.

It is a Royal Southerland teacup that states on the base that it is fine bone china and made in England.  It features a picture of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer.  It shares the date 29th July 1981 with their names on a ribbon below their pictures.  Beautiful flowers, including daffodils and Scottish thistle surround the scene and the feathers of the Prince of Wales top the shield.  Did you know that the Prince of Wales has his own feathers?  You can read about them here.  They are a heraldic badge that represent his position.  The words "I serve" are shown at the base of the crest, but are actually written in German.

While I am sharing memorabilia related to Prince Charles and Princess Diana, I will show you two items that commemorate the birth of their first child, Prince William.  A plate, made in Canada and given to me by my father, hangs on my dining room wall.  A trinket container with a photo of Princess Diana and Prince Charles on the lid sits in my china closet among my Old Country Roses china.

It seems just yesterday that we were celebrating the marriage of Charles and Diana.  Time passes by and now we celebrate the marriage of one of their children.

Glory Crown

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom:  and with all thy getting get understanding.  Exalt her, and she shall promote thee:  she shall bring thee to honour when thou dost embrace her.  She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace:  a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

Proverbs 4:7 - 9

I was blessed by this verse today.  It speaks of wisdom and how to embrace it.  As I thought of the words in this scripture, I was reminded of a beautiful crown that is on display at Maryhill.  Sometimes an object helps reinforce words, and this crown does that for me.  This is the crown of Queen Marie of Romania.  She was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England.  If you haven't read about her, I think you might enjoy learning about her life here.  And may you be blessed by this verse as well.  Get wisdom.