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Things in Everyday Life With Surprising Royal Connections: Hanami

7/31/2026

Hanami, 2005

Hanami, or flower-viewing, is a common tradition in Japan
that has spread around the world. The tradition of picnicking
under blooming cherry blossoms is ancient with it possibly
starting in 710 AD. The Japanese imperial court would move
outside and sit on mats composing poetry, eating food, and
socializing among the flowers.

Originally, it was not cherry blossoms that were being viewed
but instead plum blossoms. This had its origin in Chinese
practices which the early Japanese court tended to imitate.
However, cherry blossoms over time displaced plum blossoms
in status. The beautiful, but short-lived, flowers reflected a
cultural value placed on the ephemerality & impermanence of
life. Emperor Saga (784-842) put his support behind cherry
blossoms as the preferred flower and the dominance of cherry
blossoms can be demonstrated by poetic writings of the time
using the generic term 'flowers' to mean 'cherry blossoms'.

Hanami remained an activity of the imperial court but spread
to the rising samurai class as a reflection of the realities of a
warrior's life. It was adopted by the common people in the
Edo Period (1603-1868) and is now observed across the
country.

Within Japan the idiom 'hana yori dango' (dumplings rather
than flowers) reflects the real reason some attend hanami.

Starting in the early 1900s Japan began donating Japanese
cherry trees to other countries as a symbol of friendship.
Hanami has spread along with in. Hanami is now observed in
Canada, the USA, and other countries.

Recently, a calendar kept by a temple in Kyoto indicating
when hanami occurred each year for the past 1200 years has
been used to demonstrate a historical warming trend as
cherry blossoms in Kyoto once bloomed mid-April but now
tend to bloom in late March. A tangible connection between
ancient tradition and modern problems.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Meme Monday #15

6/29/2026

r/Monarchism is an interesting place; more laid back than
other political subreddits with a healthy population of people
with niche views. The seemingly endless number of potential
claimants to the French throne is always a cause for either
reasoned debate or light-hearted mockery. That said, the idea
of France becoming part of the UK was a real idea floated
before World War Two.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Cost of the King Opening Parliament

5/31/2026

The Monarchist League of Canada recently emailed out an
itemized list of the expenses associated with the King's
recent opening of Parliament;

$870,000 for a ceremonial Royal Canadian Air Force flyover
$860,000 for police and security operations
$370,000 for air and ground transportation
$900,000 in separate, additional administrative/heritage
costs required to stage the Throne Speech event in the Senate
$50,000 ceremonial donation to The King's Trust Canada

Total cost is roughly $2.63 million or .07 cents per Canadian.
While not stated in their summary, the numbers do seem to
indicate they left out the RCAF flyover from the total (as it
arguably wasn't a part of the opening of Parliament).

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Full Transcript of the King's Speech to Congress

4/30/2026

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, members of Congress,
representatives of the American people across all states,
territories, cities and communities.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my particular
gratitude to you all for the great honour of addressing this
joint meeting of Congress and, on behalf of the queen and
myself, to thank the American people for welcoming us to the
United States to mark this semi-quincentennial year of the
Declaration of Independence.

And for all of that time, our destinies as nations have been
interlinked. As Oscar Wilde said, ‘We have really everything in
common with America nowadays except, of course, language.’

Ladies and gentlemen, we meet in times of great uncertainty;
in times of conflict from Europe to the Middle East which
pose immense challenges for the international community
and whose impact is felt in communities the length and
breadth of our own countries.

We meet, too, in the aftermath of the incident not far from
this great building that sought to harm the leadership of your
nation and to foment wider fear and discord.

Let me say with unshakeable resolve: such acts of violence
will never succeed. Whatever our differences, whatever
disagreements we may have, we stand united in our
commitment to uphold democracy, to protect all our people
from harm, and to salute the courage of those who daily risk
their lives in the service of our countries.

Standing here today, it is hard not to feel the weight of history
on my shoulder — because the modern relationship between
our two nations and our own peoples spans not merely 250
years, but over four centuries. It is extraordinary to think that
I am the 19th in our line of sovereigns to study, with daily
attention, the affairs of America.

So, I come here today with the highest respect for the United
States Congress, this citadel of democracy created to
represent the voice of all American people to advance sacred
rights and freedoms.

Speaking in this renowned chamber of debate and
deliberation, I cannot help but think of my late mother, Queen
Elizabeth, who, in 1991, was also afforded this signal honour
and similarly spoke under the watchful eye of the Statue of
Freedom above us. Today I am here on this great occasion in
the life of our nations to express the highest regard and
friendship of the British people to the people of the United
States.

As you may know, when I address my own Parliament at
Westminster, we still follow an age-old tradition and take a
member of Parliament ‘hostage,’ holding him or her at
Buckingham Palace until I am safely returned. These days, we
look after our ‘guest’ rather well – to the point that they often
do not want to leave. I don’t know, Mr. Speaker, if there were
any volunteers for that role here today?

As I look back across the centuries, Mr. Speaker, there emerge
certain patterns, certain self-evident truths from which we
can learn and draw mutual strength.

With the spirit of 1776 in our minds, we can perhaps agree
that we do not always agree – at least in the first instance.
Indeed, the very principle on which your Congress was
founded – no taxation without representation – was at once a
fundamental disagreement between us, and at the same time
a shared democratic value which you inherited from us.

Ours is a partnership born out of dispute, but no less strong
for it, so perhaps, in this example, we can discern that our
nations are in fact instinctively like-minded – a product of the
common democratic, legal and social traditions in which our
governance is rooted to this day.

Drawing on these values and traditions, time and again, our
two countries have always found ways to come together. And
by Jove, Mr. Speaker, when we have found that way to agree,
what great change is brought about – not just for the benefit
of our peoples, but of all peoples.

This, I believe, is the special ingredient in our relationship. As
President Trump himself observed during his state visit to
Britain last autumn, ‘The bond of kinship and identity
between America and the United Kingdom is priceless and
eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable.’

This is by no means my first visit to Washington DC – the
capital of this great republic. It is in fact my 20th visit to the
United States, and my first as King and head of the
Commonwealth.

This is a city which symbolizes a period in our shared history,
or what Charles Dickens might have called ‘A Tale of Two
Georges’: the first President, George Washington, and my
five-times Great Grandfather, King George III. King George
never set foot in America and, please rest assured, I am not
here as part of some cunning rearguard action.

The Founding Fathers were bold and imaginative rebels with
a cause. Two hundred and fifty years ago, or, as we say in the
United Kingdom ‘just the other day,’ they declared
Independence. By balancing contending forces and drawing
strength in diversity, they united 13 disparate colonies to
forge a nation on the revolutionary idea of ‘life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness.’ They carried with them, and carried
forward, the great inheritance of the British Enlightenment –
as well as the ideals which had an even deeper history in
English common law and Magna Carta.

These roots run deep, and they are still vital. Our Declaration
of Rights of 1689 was not only the foundation of our
constitutional monarchy, but also provided the source of so
many of the principles reiterated, often verbatim, in the
American Bill of Rights of 1791.

And those roots go even further back in our history: the U.S.
Supreme Court Historical Society has calculated that Magna
Carta is cited in at least 160 Supreme Court cases since 1789,
not least as the foundation of the principle that executive
power is subject to checks and balances.

This is the reason why there stands a stone, by the River
Thames at Runnymede where Magna Carta was signed in the
year 1215. This stone records that an acre of that ancient and
historic site was given to the United States of America by the
people of the United Kingdom, to symbolize our shared
resolve in support of liberty, and in memory of President
John F. Kennedy.

Distinguished members of the 119th Congress, it is here in
these very halls that this spirit of liberty and the promise of
America’s founders is present in every session and every vote
cast.

Not by the will of one, but by the deliberation of many,
representing the living mosaic of the United States. In both of
our countries, it is the very fact of our vibrant, diverse and
free societies that gives us our collective strength, including to
support victims of some of the ills that, so tragically, exist in
both our societies today.

And, Mr. Speaker, for many here – and for myself – the
Christian faith is a firm anchor and daily inspiration that
guides us not only personally, but together as members of our
community. Having devoted a large part of my life to
interfaith relationships and greater understanding, it is that
faith in the triumph of light over darkness which I have found
confirmed countless times.

Through it I am inspired by the profound respect that
develops as people of different faiths grow in their
understanding of each other. It is why it is my hope – my
prayer – that, in these turbulent times, working together and
with our international partners, we can stem the beating of
plowshares into swords.

I am mindful that we are still in the season of Easter, the
season that most strengthens my hope. It is why I believe,
with all my heart, that the essence of our two nations is a
generosity of spirit and a duty to foster compassion, to
promote peace, to deepen mutual understanding and to value
all people, of all faiths, and of none.

The alliance that our two nations have built over the
centuries, and for which we are profoundly grateful to the
American people, is truly unique. And that alliance is part of
what Henry Kissinger described as Kennedy’s ‘soaring vision’
of an Atlantic partnership based on twin pillars: Europe and
America. That partnership, I believe Mr. Speaker, is more
important today than it has ever been.

The first reigning British sovereign to set foot in America was
my grandfather, King George VI. He visited in 1939 with my
beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
The forces of fascism in Europe were on the march, and some
time before the United States had joined us in the defence of
freedom. Our shared values prevailed.

Today, we find ourselves in a new era, but those values
remain.

It is an era that is, in many ways, more volatile and more
dangerous than the world to which my late mother spoke, in
this chamber, in 1991.

The challenges we face are too great for any one nation to bear
alone. But in this unpredictable environment, our alliance
cannot rest on past achievements, or assume that
foundational principles simply endure. As my Prime Minister
said last month: ‘ours is an indispensable partnership. We
must not disregard everything that has sustained us for the
last eighty years. Instead, we must build on it.’

Renewal today starts with security. The United Kingdom
recognizes that the threats we face demand a transformation
in British defence.

That is why our country, in order to be fit for the future, has
committed to the biggest sustained increase in defence
spending since the Cold War – during part of which, over 50
years ago, I served with immense pride in the Royal Navy,
following in the naval footsteps of my father, Prince Philip,
Duke of Edinburgh; my grandfather, King George VI; my
great uncle, Lord Mountbatten; and my great grandfather,
King George V.

This year, of course, also marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
This atrocity was a defining moment for America and your
pain and shock were felt around the whole world. During my
visit to New York, my wife and I will again pay our respects to
the victims, the families, and the bravery shown in the face of
terrible loss. We stood with you then. And we stand with you
now in solemn remembrance of a day that shall never be
forgotten.

In the immediate aftermath of 9/11, when NATO invoked
Article Five for the first time, and the United Nations Security
Council was united in the face of terror, we answered the call
together – as our people have done so for more than a
century, shoulder to shoulder, through two World Wars, the
Cold War, Afghanistan and moments that have defined our
shared security.

Today, Mr. Speaker, that same, unyielding resolve is needed
for the defence of Ukraine and her most courageous people. It
is needed in order to secure a truly just and lasting peace.
From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting
icecaps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the
United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of
NATO, pledged to each other’s defence, protecting our
citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and
Europeans safe from our common adversaries.

Our defence, intelligence and security ties are hard-wired
together through relationships measured not in years, but in
decades.

Today, thousands of U.S. service personnel, defence officials
and their families are stationed in the United Kingdom, as
British personnel serve with equal pride across 30 American
states. We are building F-35s together. And we have agreed
the most ambitious submarine program in history, AUKUS, in
partnership with Australia, a country of which I am also
immensely proud to serve as sovereign.

We do not embark on these remarkable endeavors together
out of sentiment. We do so because they build greater shared
resilience for the future, so making our citizens safer for
generations to come.

Our common ideals were not only crucial for liberty and
equality, they are also the foundation of our shared
prosperity. The rule of law: the certainty of stable and
accessible rules, an independent judiciary resolving disputes
and delivering impartial justice. These features created the
conditions for centuries of unmatched economic growth in
our two countries. This is why our governments are
concluding new economic and technology agreements – to
write the next chapter of our joint prosperity and ensure that
British and American ingenuity continues to lead the world.

Our nations are combining talent and resources in the
technologies of tomorrow: our new partnerships in nuclear
fusion and quantum computing, and in AI and drug
discovery, holding the promise of saving countless lives.

More broadly, we celebrate the 430 billion dollars in annual
trade that continues to grow, the 1.7 trillion dollars in mutual
investment that fuels that innovation, and the millions of jobs
on both sides of the Atlantic supported across both
economies. These are strong foundations on which to
continue to build, for generations yet unborn.

Our ties in education, research, and cultural exchange
empower citizens and future leaders of both countries.

The Marshall Scholarship, named after the great General
George Marshall, and the Association of which I am so proud
to be patron, are emblematic of the connection between our
two countries.

Since its founding, more than 2,300 scholarships have been
awarded, opening doors for Americans from all walks of life to
study at the United Kingdom’s leading universities.

So as we look toward the next 250 years, we must also reflect
on our shared responsibility to safeguard nature, our most
precious and irreplaceable asset.

Millennia before our nations existed, before any border
drawn, the mountains of Scotland and Appalachia were one, a
single, continuous range, forged in the ancient collision of
continents.

The natural wonders of the United States of America are
indeed a unique asset, and generations of Americans have
risen to this calling: indigenous, political and civic leaders,
people in rural communities and cities alike, have all helped
to protect and nurture what President Theodore Roosevelt
called ‘the glorious heritage’ of this land’s extraordinary
natural splendor, on which so much of its prosperity has
always depended.

Yet even as we celebrate the beauty that surrounds us, our
generation must decide how to address the collapse of critical
natural systems which threatens far more than the harmony
and essential diversity of nature. We ignore at our peril the
fact that these natural systems, in other words, nature’s own
economy, provide the foundation for our prosperity and our
national security.

The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is, at
its heart, a story of reconciliation, renewal and remarkable
partnership.

From the bitter divisions of 250 years ago, we forged a
friendship that has grown into one of the most consequential
alliances in human history.

I pray with all my heart that our alliance will continue to
defend our shared values, with our partners in Europe and the
Commonwealth, and across the world, and that we ignore the
clarion calls to become ever more inward-looking.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice-President, distinguished ladies and
gentlemen, America’s words carry weight and meaning, as
they have since Independence.

The actions of this great nation matter even more.

President Lincoln understood this so well, with his reflection
in the magisterial Gettysburg Address that the world may
little note what we say, but will never forget what we do.

And so, to the United States of America, on your 250th
birthday, let our two countries rededicate ourselves to each
other in the selfless service of our peoples and of all the
peoples of the world.

God bless the United States and God bless the United
Kingdom."

It has been interesting watching the response to the King's speech. My favourite is below as I think it sums things up nicely;

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Things in Everyday Life With Surprising Royal Connections: English Actresses

3/8/2026

Photo Credit: Peter C.G. Jackson

Welcome back to the third article in
a series looking at everyday things
with surprising royal connections.

We take it for granted these days
that female roles in movies, shows,
and theater are played by women.
This was not always the case and
England actually allowed actresses
somewhat later than neighbouring
France (although all of western
Europe allowed them by the 1700s).

The reasons for this reach back into
antiquity when the association of
actresses and prostitution were very
strong. When Emperor Justinian of
Byzantium married an actress it
caused a bit of a scandal due to just
this association. Fast forward to
England in the 1500s and female parts were still being played
by boys. All of those Shakespearean plays about love? There
was not a single women on the stage during their original
run.

Things Get Worse Before They Get Better

The 1600s were not a peaceful time in England and disputes
between King Charles I and Parliament led to civil war and
the king's regicide. The resulting republic was controlled by
Puritans who sought to eliminate anything they saw as being
'frivolous' or 'ungodly'. Christmas and Easter were banned for
being too rowdy and a 'threat to Christian belief'. Football,
make-up, music, colourful clothes, and even pubs were all
banned. Theater's ancient association with prostitution
(at this point mostly a stereotype) meant it wasn't escaping
the ban hammer.

The Merry Monarch

After the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658 the English
republic fell into chaos and King Charles II was invited to take
the throne. For his part the king promised to be lenient with
everyone except those who had ordered his dad's execution
(which is completely fair). The King saw that after a long
period of strife and oppression the people needed a return to
normalcy. The old restrictions were lifted and in the case of
theater the king went further and legalized female actors - and
hence the first actresses. Its probable the king did so after
seeing actresses performing in France (which had allowed
them for several decades at that point) while exiled there. This
opened up a new career path for women and by 1665
actresses, such as Nell Gwyn, were celebrities in their field.
The king was also a great patron of the arts and funded the
creation of two new theaters in London. This general return to
fun is why King Charles II is nicknamed 'the Merry Monarch'.

It is arguable that without royal support it would have taken
far longer for theater to regain its standing after the Puritan
ban. This would have had knock-on effects. Shakespeare's
plays survived in a haphazard fashion even in our own
timeline. A timeline where either the Puritan's republic
persisted, or Charles II didn't make restoring theater a
priority would have likely seen more of his works become lost.
And that would have been a real tragedy.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Monarchist League of Canada Proposes Having the King Open Gordie Howe Bridge

3/4/2026

The Gordie Howe International Bridge
is slated to open this year. However,
Donald Trump, possibly bribed by the
bridge's perennial opponents, the
Moroun family, has cast doubt on the
bridge ever opening.

A few days ago the Monarchist League sent out an email with
a proposal written by M Fagan that the League should lobby
the prime minister to invite the King to open the new
crossing. The King will be 'in the area' so to speak as he is set
to attend events in America in April marking the 250th
anniversary of the Revolutionary War.

The idea being to dangle a joint event, the bridge opening, in
front of Trump to get him to drop his opposition. Trump
seems to value prestige just as much, if not more, than money
and attending an event with the King would add to his
prestige in his mind. That this would render the Moroun
family's 1 million dollar 'political donation' ineffective is a
nice side benefit.

However, it is now March and that is a rather tight time table
to get things like this organized. Alternatively, Fagan notes
that Prince William will be here for the World Cup in the
summer which would be a good back-up date.

Historically, the UK has made much better use of the Royal
Family for pursuing its interests. This suggestion presents the opportunity for Canada to do likewise.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Things in Everyday Life With Surprising Royal Connections: Prayer Hands

2/3/2026

Welcome back to the second article in a
series looking at everyday things with
surprising royal connections. The last article
looked at the influence the French monarchy
had on the development of modern
strawberries. This article will look at how
feudalism altered how Christians pray to
God.

With Hands Outstretched

If you were to picture how pretty much any figure from the
Bible prayed you'd probably be wrong. That is because people
across the Middle East in the period of the Old and New
Testament actually prayed in the orans position; elbows by
their sides, hands extended forward, palms up. This position
was considered the proper way to show humility before God.

References to praying in the orans position are common in
the Bible: Psalm 28:2, Psalm 143:6, 1 Timothy 2:8, and
Hebrews 12:12–13 to name a few. There is some evidence the
position was seen as a physical representation of a person's
heart reaching out to God (Lamentations 3:41). The
comparisons to a small child wanting their parent to pick
them up make themselves.

Fresco in the Catacomb of Priscilla

Early Christians modified this position somewhat by allowing
their arms to extend more upwards and outwards until they
were in virtual imitation of Christ's position on the cross.

But if the orans position had such a long history and rich
symbolism why did it diminish in favour of prayer with hands
together?

Fall of Rome and Rise of Feudalism

The Fall of Rome was a traumatic event for Europe. Roman
law had been present in western Europe for hundreds of
years. It was such a fact of life that even after the fall there
was an expectation that the empire would return from its
eastern redoubt. In the meantime, western Europe became
far more dangerous and unstable than it had been. What
remained of Roman law and social customs merged with the
traditions of newly-established barbarian nations. In those
dangerous times a man might seek the protection from a
stronger man who in turn asked for loyalty. This likely has
partial origin in the Roman client-patron relationships.

Regardless of its origins it gradually became a fact of life in
western Europe and various traditions developed. A man
wishing to enter into the protection of another (the vassal)
would typically get down on one knee with his hands together
in front of his face. This may have figuratively represented
being a captive, fully in the other man's power (the lord). The
lord would place his hands over his vassals hands in
representation of his acceptance of the vassal as 'his man' and
confirming his protection. It was a more personal way of
organizing political relationships than the bureaucratic
Roman system and suited for a time when economic, travel,
and communication links were frayed.

When Charlemagne united western Europe under his reign
and restored some semblance of the unity that had once
existed feudalism was still in a formative stage. Charlemagne
would contribute to its development by standardizing the
ceremony of homage and required it to be done publicly. The
breakdown of his empire would lead to a more formal system
of feudalism throughout his formerly united realm.

Vassals of Christ

The peasantry slowly began to emulate the homage ceremony
when they prayed. How exactly this came about is unclear. As
stated, the ceremonies were public so commoners might on
occasion witness them. At the same time many priests in the
Medieval period were younger sons of nobles - aware of the
homage ceremony but never going to be involved in one.
Perhaps these priests started using the homage position as
a representation of their new role? Medieval historian Marc
Bloch put it, "The ancient attitude of prayer, with hands
outstretched, was replaced by the gesture of the joined hands
… Before God, the good Christian in his inmost soul saw
himself as a vassal bending the knee before his lord." An
added dimension to this is the fact homage could not be
performed alone; it was a two way relationship. Christianity
is built on a personal relationship with God and the homage
ritual is better suited to remind the believer of this than the
orans position.

Modern Day

The orans position never fully disappeared and even made its
way into Protestant practice. However, the fact remains that
the orans position is most common in areas that never had a
feudal structure. Meanwhile, 'prayer hands' has become an
almost universal symbol of faith.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Things in Everyday Life With Surprising Royal Connections: Modern Strawberries

1/31/2026

Photo Credit: Reinhold Möller

To say that monarchs have had an effect
on the practice of politics throughout
history is fairly obvious. Less obvious are
the effects monarchs have had on other
aspects of life. This is the start of a series
of ten articles where that very topic will
be explored. First up, is how the desire for
bigger and better strawberries would lead
to the modern varieties we know and love.

History of the Troublesome Berry

Wild strawberries were common in Europe and greatly loved
by monarchs throughout the Middle Ages. However, the
berries were small, hard to harvest, and even harder to
transport - even to fulfill royal desire.

Gardeners were stymied by the strawberry's primary method
of reproduction; cloning. Seeds were rarely viable. Unlike
every other animal or vegetable the humble wild strawberry
refused to be bent to human desire.

Still, its popularity endured. It was a common sight at
monasteries where its trifold leaves reminded the monks of
the Trinity. When King Charles III of France was gifted
several pints of wild strawberries it is said he ennobled the
giver (that the story is likely apocryphal should not distract
from the very real desire for this sweet treat). In 1368, King
Charles V of France had his gardener collect 1,200 runners
for the royal garden in Paris. However, within a few years
nearly half of the plants had stopped producing and no one
could figure out why.

Still, gardeners persisted and there were occasional success.
Everbearing strawberries were discovered and by the 1500s a
cultivated strawberry was even created said to be 10-15 times
the size of wild strawberries. Better but still very small.

Experiments were carried out with wild strawberries from
other parts of Europe. The Capron variety from central
Europe became popular in England due to its cold-tolerance
and lower sunlight requirement but was largely rejected by
the French for its darker colour and general aesthetic.

“I want even the ‘Capron’ plants torn out or at least that no particular
friendliness be held toward them.”
~King's Gardener, early 1700s

Antoine N. Duchesne's Breakthrough

Antoine Nicolas Duchesne was practically raised in the
botanical garden of the Petit Trianon. His father was
superintendent of the royal buildings and friends with the
head gardener. The gardener took a liking to the boy
and Duchesne showed some talent as a gardener. In 1759,
Louis XV ordered all known plants in Europe be brought to
his private collection. As a result, when Duchesne took an
interest in strawberries a few years later he had access to
every variety then known.

On July 6, 1764, 17-year-old Duchesne presented Louis XV
with the largest strawberries the king had ever seen.
Duchesne had combined a South American strawberry with
the reviled Capron variety. The strawberry fields at Trianon
were expanded and it was ordered that the new variety be
added to the king's personal kitchen garden.

The South American variety had already been large and had
been brought back to France by a French spy. In a twist of fate
this spy, named Amédée-François Frézier, was said to be a
descendant of the man who had once gifted his king a few
pints of wild strawberries. However, this South American
variety was not cold-tolerant - a role which the Capron variety
was well-suited to fill. Duchesne came to realize that
strawberries had distinct male and female plants. That is why,
centuries before, the royal gardeners had had such trouble
with cultivating strawberries. As they had pruned out the non-
producing male plants the female plants stopped producing
entirely. By combining the large, but heat-loving, South
American variety with the cold-tolerant, but somewhat ugly
Capron variety, Duchesne created a large strawberry that
could be grown anywheres in Europe - and it quickly was.

Duchesne's discoveries caused a tidal wave of botanical
cooperation as other botanists sent Duchesne strawberry
varieties they had discovered. In 1770 Duchesne published a
book detailing all the strawberry variations then available in
Europe.

The modern strawberry was well-established at this point,
helped along by the French monarchy's great love of the
sweet, red, berry.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

2026 New Democratic Party Leadership Race: Views on the Monarchy

12/13/2025

As has become my custom I have once again surveyed another
batch of leadership candidates running to lead a party. This
time its the NDP. The last time they were surveyed was 2017.
The response rate from the last two leadership surveys was
horrible so I was worried the trend would continue. I was
pleasantly surprised that so far the response rate has been
much higher.

The Emailed Question & Responses

When I last surveyed the NDP I only asked for their views on
the monarchy. This time the list was a bit more extensive
(although if you follow this blog the longer survey has been in
place for a while now with some variation in the questions
asked year-to-year):

1. What are your personal views on the monarchy?
2. As prime minister would you make use of the Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal Appointments that was active between 2010 and 2015?
3. How important is it to you that the symbols of the monarchy be fully displayed?
4. How often should Royal Tours occur?
5. How else would you keep the monarchy relevant to Canadians?

Below are links to each candidate's reply and a short look at
any previous comments they have made in regards to the
monarchy. Names are in order of when they entered the race.

Tony McQuail
Yves Engler (Candidacy Rejected)
Avi Lewis
Heather McPherson
Rob Ashton
Tanille Johnston
Bianca Mugyenyi (Candidacy Rejected)

Crown & Cap Scoreboard

Here I have ranked the candidates support for, or opposition
to, the monarchy. Keep in mind this is only my assessment
and your mileage may vary. Also, note that changes may occur
as the campaign goes on.

The crown score is out of five crowns with each candidate
receiving one crown for stating support for the monarchy
in their reply, one crown for having defended the monarchy
in Parliament, two crowns for outlining how they would
improve the monarchy's role in the future, and one crown for
having spoken in support of the monarchy outside of
Parliament.

The cap score is likewise out of five caps with one cap given to
a candidate for being opposed to the monarchy in their reply,
one cap for desiring a referendum on the monarchy, one cap
for opposing the monarchy in Parliament and two caps for
making the establishment of a Canadian republic a part of
their policy platform.

Tony McQuail

While Tony's response to my inquiry wasn't
negative, he stopped short of saying he
supported the monarchy. As such I can't
give him more than a 1/2 Crown.

Score:

Yves Engler

The highest scoring republican to date. The
only thing keeping him from getting 5/5
caps is that he has never spoken in favour of
a republic on the floor of Parliament (and
won't be in the foreseeable future).

Score:

Rob Ashton

Rob's reply suffered from the same problem
as Tony; he recognized it as important, and
was positive about it, but stopped short of
saying he supported it.

Score:

Conclusions

Not going to make any conclusions yet as I am still waiting for responses. I will update this section at a later date.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

NDP Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Rob Ashton

11/21/2025

Source: candidate website

The third leadership candidate has
now gotten back to me. Rob Ashton
represents the labour wing of the
NDP. I was particularly interested in
hearing from Ashton as most of the
leadership candidates for the party
over the last little while have come
from the party's activist wing. So, as a
refresher here are the questions sent
to Mr. Ashton and his replies:

What are your personal views on the monarchy?

Ashton: "While the monarchy is not a central focus for me
personally, I recognize it as a part of Canada’s history and
one of the ways we are distinct from our neighbors to the
south. My main priority is ensuring that our political system
works effectively for Canadians today— empowering people
and strengthening democracy."

As prime minister would you make use of the
Advisory Committee on Vice-Regal Appointments
that was active between 2010 and 2015?

Ashton: "If I were Prime Minister, appointments should be
transparent, merit-based, and reflect Canada’s diversity."

How important is it to you that the symbols of the
monarchy be fully displayed?

Ashton: "While these are meaningful to some Canadians, my
focus is on building a modern, inclusive democracy in which
everyone feels represented."

How often should Royal Tours occur?

Ashton: "These should be occasional and meaningful,
highlighting Canadian culture, history, and charitable
initiatives rather than purely ceremonial."

How else would you keep the monarchy relevant to
Canadians?

Ashton: "Relevance comes from ensuring the system serves Canadians’ interests and reflects Canadian values and diversity— not from pageantry."

Comments

Overall, Rob's response was good. Remarking that the
monarchy sets us apart from the Americans (rather relevant
these days) is a common argument in favour of the monarchy
- even if I don't personally ascribe to it. The second question is
almost a non-answer because it doesn't get to the root of the
issue; should a prime minister be able to recommend
governor general nominees on their own or should it be an
independent process? The answer to the royal tour question is
pretty much the status quo.

A common through point is that if the system works for all
Canadians then support for the monarchy will follow. This is
an argument I agree with as I have personally seen some
opposition to the monarchy coming from a person's
resentment at their own lot in life.

I was unable to find any other comments on the monarchy
from this candidate.

We are now at the halfway point in collecting replies. I will
most likely post the main page for the leadership survey in a
week or so.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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2026 New Democratic Party Leadership Race: Views on the Monarchy

The Emailed Question & Responses

Crown & Cap Scoreboard

Conclusions

NDP Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Rob Ashton

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