Category: Queen Elizabeth II

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

12/28/2022

It has been quite a year. Queen Elizabeth II oversaw a historic
platinum jubilee. Her death, while saddening, resulted in no
mad rush for the door at the prospect of King Charles III as
republicans had long predicted (hoped?). Instead, the new
king has taken to his role with vigor and the people have been
largely supportive. The Queen's presence benefitted the
monarchy but she knew more than anyone else that the
institution of monarchy isn't about any one person. Over the
last few years she had been slowly easing the public into the
new reign. Quite the contrast with the republican system in
which preparing a successor is almost never seen as desirable.

The King's Christmas Address

"With all my heart I wish each of you a Christmas of peace,
happiness, and everlasting light."

Prince George the Artist

The Prince and Princess of Wales shared a painting by Prince
George a few days ago. It appears he has his grandfather's
talent with the brush.

New Year's Levee

This year will mark the return of the New Year's Levee for
many of Canada's vice-regal offices. It is sometimes forgotten
that the New Year's Levee is a distinctly Canadian tradition
that has its origins in court protocol of the French monarchy
and was adapted by fur traders and early governors of New France (Quebec) as a time to pay one's respects to the crown,
receive news from Europe, and let loose a little bit. British
authorities continued these traditions and are now celebrated
across the country.

The Year Ahead

While the last few years have demonstrated the foolishness of
trying to predict what will happen in the coming year there
are a few things to look out for:

The Coronation
While the exact details have not been worked out, the King
rejected the idea of a 'bargain bin' coronation. One change
likely to be seen is in the title 'Defender of the Faith'. The King
has stated in the past that the monarch, while adhering to
one faith, should seek to protect all faiths and stated a
preference for 'Defender of Faith'.

Fiji
The Fijian parliament is in a minority situation and the
coalition government has stated they wish to restore the Great
Council of Chiefs which was previously parliament's upper
house. The Great Council of Chiefs famously continued to
recognize Queen Elizabeth II as paramount chief long after
Fiji became a republic. While I'm not getting my hopes up for
a royal restoration in a country that still uses some of its royal symbols it is a step in the right direction.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Her Majesty Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada (1926-2022)

9/8/2022

"Grief is the price we pay for love" ~Dr. Colin Murray Parkes and popularized by the Queen in 2001.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Platinum Jubilee in February

2/15/2022

February isn't exactly the best month to have a celebration but
here we are. February 6th marked the day 70 years ago that
Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II.

Queen's Statement

Jubilee Pin

The government of Canada has produced
a Platinum Jubilee pin which is being
distributed by the Monarchist League of Canada. The pin features the emblem
designed by the Canadian Heraldic
Authority for this jubilee.

Flag Raising at Rideau Hall

Governor General Mary Simon participated in a flag raising at
Rideau Hall on February 6th. Rideau Hall is one of the two
official residences of the Canadian monarch in Canada.

Canada Post's Platinum Jubilee Stamp

New Brunswick Village Marks Jubilee

The Village of Hillsborough had adopted measures in
honour of Her Majesty's Jubilee that henceforth any tree cut
down in the municipality will be replaced by a tree of a species
native to Canada and that a review will be held every two
years to make sure green spaces in the municipality are well
cared for. This initiative has a similar purpose to the UK's
Green Canopy initiative being undertaken for this jubilee.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Queen & Governor General's Statements on the First National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

9/30/2021

"I join with all Canadians on this first
National Day for Truth and
Reconciliation to reflect on the painful
history that Indigenous peoples endured
in residential schools in Canada, and on
the work that remains to heal and to
continue to build an inclusive society"

~Her Majesty the Queen

"As we mark the first National Day for
Truth and Reconciliation, I think back to
how my childhood shaped me. How so
many in our community, and thousands
more Indigenous children across Canada,
were ripped away from their homes,
separated from their families and sent to
residential schools, where they were not
allowed to speak their languages or
honour their cultures, and were punished if they did.

As the child of a white father and an Inuk mother, I was not
allowed to attend. I stayed behind, home-schooled, and
visited families where there was a palpable void. I was a
stand-in, a well-loved substitute, for mothers and fathers
who desperately missed their children.

We all felt it. The sorrow of missing a part of our
community.

Since the launch of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
of Canada and the publication of Calls to Action—and more
recently, with the discoveries of unmarked graves of
residential school children—Canada’s real history has been
laid bare. The legacy of colonization has had devastating
repercussions for Indigenous peoples, including the loss of
language, culture and heritage. This pain has been felt from
generation to generation, and it continues today.

These are uncomfortable truths, and often hard to accept.
But the truth also unites us as a nation, brings us together to
dispel anger and despair, and embrace justice, harmony and
trust instead.

Reconciliation is a way of life, continuous, with no end date.
It is learning from our lived experiences and understanding
one another. It is creating the necessary space for us to heal.
It is planting seeds of hope and respect so that our garden
blooms for our children.

As we strive to acknowledge the horrors of the past, the
suffering inflicted on Indigenous peoples, let us all stand
side-by-side with grace and humility, and work together to
build a better future for all."

~Her Excellency Mary Simon

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Meme Monday #8

11/30/2020

The Queen and Prince Philip have a solid marriage despite
the pressures their roles place on it. Or maybe its because of
those pressures that their marriage has been going strong
since it began way back in 1947.

"If I am asked what I think about family life after 25 years of
marriage, I can answer with equal simplicity and conviction,
I am for it." The Queen's Silver Wedding speech at the
Guildhall, November 1972.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Evolution of the Right to Encourage

5/18/2020

Walter Bagehot was a contemporary of Queen Victoria having
been born after, and died before, the long-lived queen. And
while Queen Victoria was the one who set about creating a
greater symbolic role for the monarchy going forward, it
was Walter Bagehot who codified the monarchy's political
role. Now, Mr. Bagehot would likely object that he was only
observing what was already falling into place but in the years
since his death The English Constitution has been
studied by every heir to the throne as to what their role should
be. In physics there is a theory that the mere act of observing
a phenomenon inevitably changes that phenomenon. And in
this instance it holds true of political science as well. Walter
Bagehot observed that:

To state the matter shortly, the sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy
such as ours, three rights — the right to be consulted, the right to encourage,
the right to warn. And a king of great sense and sagacity would want no others.
He would find that his having no others would enable him to use these with
singular effect. He would say to his minister: “The responsibility of these measures
is upon you. Whatever you think best must be done. Whatever you think best shall
have my full and effectual support. But you will observe that for this reason and
that reason what you propose to do is bad; for this reason and that reason what
you do not propose is better. I do not oppose, it is my duty not to oppose; but
observe that I warn.” Supposing the king to be right, and to have what kings often
have, the gift of effectual expression, he could not help moving his minister. He
might not always turn his course, but he would always trouble his mind. In the
course of a long reign a sagacious king would acquire an experience with which
few ministers could contend. The king could say: “Have you referred to the
transactions which happened during such and such an administration, I think
about fourteen years ago? They afford an instructive example of the bad results
which are sure to attend the policy which you propose. You did not at that time take
so prominent a part in public life as you now do, and it is possible you do not fully
remember all the events. I should recommend you to recur to them, and to discuss
them with your older colleagues who took part in them. It is unwise to recommence
a policy which so lately worked so ill.”

Walter Bagehot

Of the three rights Bagehot ascribes to
a constitutional monarch the first and
third have little changed from his day.
But I feel the second right, the right to
encourage, has slowly transformed. So,
slowly in fact that it was only with the
recent pandemic that factors led me to
notice it. What was once a right to
encourage politicians has become a
right to encourage the greater public.

Walter Bagehot would not have thought such a change
possible, or perhaps even desirable. His well-known contempt
of the political, and even rational, abilities of the lower classes
created blinders to such an expansion of the right to
encourage. At the same time technology did not yet allow the
expansion of this right with radio and television still in their
infancy. And finally, the character of Queen Victoria herself
did not allow it to expand as for much of her reign she shut
herself away from the people.

But what exactly am I referring to? In the quoted section
above Bagehot notes that a monarch can encourage a prime
minister to refer to events that occurred during previous
administrations, ask them to consult with the older men who
experienced those events, and suggest actions that might be
better. During the conference in London to finalize Canadian
Confederation Queen Victoria made use of her right when she
told John A. Macdonald that “I am very glad to see you
on this mission. It is a very important measure and
you have all exhibited so much loyalty.” This is the
right to encourage as traditionally defined.

My first suspicion that a change has occurred without anyone
really commenting on it was the Queen's recent broadcast to
the UK and the Commonwealth:

Here we had the Queen both encouraging people to do their
part during the pandemic and encouraging (in the sense of
comforting) those who were having a hard time during it. It is
not about legislation but instead advocating people do what is
right.

The Queen's decision to record an Easter message (a first in
her long reign) again functioned to encourage people to
practice social distancing and to instill hope for the future:

But looking back such encouragements are a common thread
throughout the Queen's Christmas messages as well. It would
seem that as the monarchy has taken on a more public role
the right to encourage has expanded in scope with it. The
Queen did not start this expansion (that distinction belongs to
her father) but her long reign has cemented its new form as a
prerogative of the Crown. Current events have simply made such encouragement more necessary. Her Majesty seems to
be everywheres in recent months. Her Covid-19 address was
accompanied by a special note for Canada. The New
Zealand Prime Minister was also surprised by a phone call
from Her Majesty. Of the videos that have been released only
the VE address was previously planned.

Some claim that the monarchy needs to evolve (without ever
really stating how) but miss the fact that the monarchy is a
living institution that has always been evolving to meet the
needs of its people. The expansion of the right to encourage is
necessary because politicians are bad at encouraging people
to follow rules. The respect people once held for elected
officials just isn't there to the degree it once was.

But let me switch gears before I sign off and note that in some
provinces restrictions start loosening tomorrow. Be sensible
with the increased freedom and have a Happy Victoria Day.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Meme Monday #7

3/16/2020

Wash your hands, people!

The Corona virus pandemic has led many to alter their
behavior as a means of stopping its spread. Her Majesty is
said to be reviewing up-coming events with an eye to whether
they will need to be cancelled or postponed. There is also a
plan in place for her quarantine should the out-break
worsen. This is prudent as, despite Her Majesty's seeming
immortality, she is in fact 93. And despite the urge to panic it
is important to remember we have been here before. Be
sensible about your plans and be prepared to change them.

It might be helpful to look back to the pandemic known as the
Black Death. We have interesting accounts of the different
reactions to the disease's spread. Of note is that while there
were members of the royalty who fell to the plague there is
only one known reigning monarch who died; Alfonso XI of
Castile. While besieging Gibraltar in 1350 the plague broke
out in his camp. He refused to abandon the siege, fell ill, and
died. This resulted in the Castilians withdrawing.

So I will leave you all with some simple advice; wash your
hands, don't go places if you are sick, and avoid large
gathering for the immediate future (sieges or otherwise).

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

The Royal Veterans

11/11/2019

As people around the world commemorate Remembrance
Day we remember the sacrifices and bravery of our armed
forces. The fact I can sit at my computer in rural New
Brunswick and write this article without any fear of attack is
in large part because of them. That this could easily be
different reminds me that but for the grace of God go I.

The Royal Family remembers this more than most. It has
long been tradition for members of the Royal Family to get
some form of military training for when they would have to
lead their armies themselves. While no monarch is expected
to be in the field anymore it is still recognized that a royal
should share in some measure of the soldier's experience.

Princess Elizabeth, then 18

It is widely known that Her
Majesty served as a truck
driver and mechanic during
World War Two. She remains
the only female member of
the Royal Family to have
entered military service and
the only living head of state
who served in that war. Her Majesty served in the Women’s
Auxiliary Territorial Service and had the rank of Second
Subaltern.

Prince Philip, 2015

Prince Philip served in the British
Navy during World War Two in the
Indian Ocean and Mediterranean
Sea. He was mentioned in dispatches
for his services during the Battle of
Cape Matapan during which he
controlled the search lights. During
the invasion of Sicily he devised a
means to distract in-coming German
bombers away from the ship by the
use of rafts and smoke signals. On
his 90th birthday he was given an
honorary appointment to all three branches of the Canadian
Armed Forces.

Photo Credit: Eva Rinaldi

Prince Harry served in the military for ten years and undertook two tours of Afghanistan. Part of his training was
carried out in 2007 while in Canada.
His first tour ended prematurely after
two media outlets revealed that he
had been secretly deployed which
posed a threat to him and his fellow
soldiers. To get around this Prince
Harry completed his Apache attack
helicopter training and was then
redeployed. Since attack helicopters
are always high-priority targets it was
determined his presence would create
no additional threat to the other military personnel.

Prince Harry's time in the military has made a lasting impact
on him and inspired the creation of the Invictus Games for
wounded and disabled soldiers and veterans.

The bond between the Royal Family and their soldiers is a
strong one built over time and generations. And as this
Remembrance Day comes to an end we hope for the day when
no one will have to put themselves in harms way in defence of
Queen and country.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Canadian Royal Tour Stories

9/10/2019

I have an occasional interest in stories about Canadians and
their interactions with the Royal Family. I don't think these
stories are all that rare as even within the ranks of my 30, or
so, coworkers two have shared stories about Royal Tours. The
first is a story I have I may have already shared at one point.

When my coworker was a young girl she was part of an event
in Riverview, New Brunswick. I believe this would have been
the 1984 Royal Tour which celebrated New Brunswick's
bicentennial. While the Queen had gone to Sackville for an
event, Prince Philip attended an event in Riverview. The local
school seems to have had their students attend. As it turns out
my future coworker was one of the few students who dressed
up for the occasion. Either noticing that she had put some
effort into her appearance or that she was somewhat self-
conscious about this fact, Prince Philip approached her and
remarked about the somewhat unkempt appearance of the
other attendees.

The second story was relayed to me recently by a second
coworker. His son is a member of the RCMP and when he was
a rookie he was assigned to be part of the Queen's security
detail while she was staying at a hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Normally a rookie would not be given this job but it was found at the last minute that another officer assigned to the security
detail did not have a suit. My coworker's son was asked if he
did. He in fact did which got him added to the Queen's
security. That night he was assigned to the hotel grounds
where he chatted with a senior member of the security detail.
This man had an ear piece that was connected to microphones
in the Queen's bedroom so at the first sign of trouble he would
be alerted. The next morning the young rookie was assigned to the kitchen. The cook asked if he wanted a piece of
blueberry pie. He accepted and as he was eating he was made
aware of the fact that only one other piece had been served
from that pie which was the Queen's piece. I can only make
assumptions but it may well be that the Queen's food is kept
separate to avoid the potential for poisoning.

Anyways, these have been two stories about Canadian Royal
Tours. I hope you found them at least a little bit interesting.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Names & Titles Given to Members of the Royal Family by Canada's First Nations

8/18/2019

The Canadian Monarchy has a long history with the original
inhabitants of Canada. And despite the failures of successive
elected governments to uphold promises made to these First
Nations, the relationship between them and the Royal Family
remains strong. One comparatively recent expression of this
relationship is the giving of names by tribes to Royal Family
members. Below are just the ones I was able to track down.

Mother of All People

Her Majesty was given this name in
1959 by the Salish Nation. It actually
echos two names from the past. King
George III was referred to as the Great Father during negotiations with First
Nations and Queen Victoria came to be known as the Great White Mother.

Attaniout Ikeneego
(Son of the Big Boss)

Prince Charles was given this name in
1976 by the Inuit as a direct reference to
his position as heir. While this was the
first time Prince Charles was honoured
in this way it was not to be the last. He
has been given at least three other
names and titles.

Red Crow

In 1977 Prince Charles was granted a Kainai Chieftainship by
the Blood Tribe for his work advocating for First Nations
along with the name Red Crow which seems to refer to an
important chief in their history.

Leading Star

Given to Prince Charles in 1986 by Cree and Ojibwa students
in Winnipeg.

Pisimwa Kamiwohkitahpamikohk
(The Sun Looks at Him in a Good Way)

Given to Prince Charles in 2001 by elders of the Northern
Plains people.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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