June, Jubilation
The new month brims with the celebration of milestones: we hug graduates, beam at couples when we spot them leaving their wedding ceremony.
But when a country collectively has something to celebrate, that's extra fizzy. The Queen's Platinum Jubilee kicks off in June, and will be especially poignant given HRH Queen Elizabeth's fragility. You won't find many bunting-draped porches or community parades in Canada, though in general she is a respected figure, part of our history, too.
In today's windows, a selection of Jubilee items. I resist the term "souvenirs", which suggests throwaways that last only for a weekend. The celebration that begins in June will last for a year, with tributes throughout the UK, Commonwealth and around the world.
Modest Mementos
Left: Vivat Regina tote by Halcyon Days, who produce high-quality china and enamel commemorative goods; price, $US 23.
Top right: Queen pin badge, £5, Victoria and Albert Museum Shop
Bottom right: Crown keyring, £5, Imperial War Museum Shop
Housewares
Clockwise:
1. Cath Kidston apron of lily of the valley on a pearl-print background, with a centre panel of a portrait of the young Queen: charm and whimsy. Price, $CDN 50.
2. An elegant bone china plate from Fortnum and Mason, with symbols of "the Queen's passions and pursuits"—racing pigeons, horses, a jewelled brooch, and lily of the valley from her wedding bouquet. Price, £45.
3. Queen's Crown cushion kit from Appletons at Liberty; price, £135
4. Make it official: The British emblem is a striking modern design of one continuous line that deftly traces a 70 joined to her crown, in purple and platinum; the text's font is Perpetua, another nod to Queen Elizabeth II's record-breaking reign. Tankard by Etsy seller TaylerMadeProducts; price, $CDN 19 (plus shipping).
Alas, Canada has created an exceedingly stuffy emblem of its own. I much prefer the British one, even though the Canadian entry incorporates pearls.
Tie One On for Her Maj
Commemorative scarves abound. Many are in the official platinum-and-purple colour scheme for the event, but I'm drawn to a less-restricted palette.
Left: Floral Tribute long merino scarf with the National Flowers of Great Britain and a portrait of the Queen on a pink ground. By PJ Studio Accessories at Wolf and Badger; price, $CDN 173.
Celebratory Corgis
The corgi is the unofficial symbol of the Jubilee, scampering over Union Jacks and nipping at the heels of more sober iconography.
Left: Limited-edition Corgi and Crown cashmere wristwarmers, Brora. Price, £125, available June 5.
Top right: Plush "Betty" corgi; price, $US 32 at Selfridge's.
Bottom right: The Royal Family have released a winking corgi emoji—along with other spirited images—available for download via their Instagram account. We are amused.
I have posted my admiration for the Queen's style, but that goes further than her attire. Her unwavering adherence to the values of duty and fidelity—not just to a partner but to an entire people—is remarkable and rare.
As Tina Brown recently commented on NPR's "Morning Edition", "She simply has done her job with such judicious discretion that, in the end, people celebrate that she has been such an impeccable monarch."
Comments
The Queen's fragility is so very apparent now, and it saddens me to think that she will not be with us much longer. But nobody can take away the fact that she has applied herself with diligence and amazing stamina to the role over a staggering 70 years. I can't help but feel that her namesake, the wily and fiercely intelligent Elizabeth I, would strongly approve.
I'm conscious that people alive today will probably never see another Queen Regnant on the throne of my country; a male succession (should the establishment of the Monarchy survive) seems assured for the next few generations. So this Jubilee is something to be celebrated with affection.
I love the Liberty scarves, by the way!
Jane in London
I would love to have those handwarmers - really cute. I loved seeing the photos of the six foot corgi statues that have been placed around the UK.