THE MONARCHIST LEAG UE OF CANADA – 40th ANNIVER SAR … · THE MONARCHIST LEAG UE OF CANADA –...

Report and Analysis by Senex

IGNATIEFF BUNGLEIn a May 2nd public intervention

called “unprecedented” by political sci-entists and “unhelpful” and “bizarre” byOttawa-watchers and monarchists alike,Federal Opposition Leader Michael Ig -na tieff suggested that the GovernorGeneral’s time in office should be extend-ed. He went on to call for public involve-ment in the process of selection of hereventual successor, saying “we shouldhave a public conversation in this coun-try about what kind of Governor Generalwe want next.”

“A cynical, destructive ploy,” journal-ist Andrew Coyne thundered on his blog.“This is just outrageous. I cannot re -member any opposition party, ever, pol -iti cizing the appointment of a governorgeneral.” University of Toronto political

scientist Peter Russell commented theintervention was “inappropriate, unhelp-ful and unwise... It makes it appear as ifthe Governor General is favored by hisparty and not the government and that’sthe very wrong impression to create.”And an editorial in The Globe and Mail,the matinal caffeine of the chatteringclass, observed on May 4th that the con-sequence of Mr Ignatieff ’s action, includ-ing singling her out by race and gender,had been “to effectively and permanentlycompromise” Mme Jean, making out theindividual who might at any time be call -ed on to arbitrate a Con stitutional crisis

Canadian Monarchist NewsLes Nouvelles Monarchiques du Canada

Spring-Summer 2010 — No. 31An occasional Newsletter for members and friends of The Monarchist League of Canada

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THE MONARCHIST LEAGUE OF CANADA – 40th ANNIVERSARY 1970-2010

Mars Governor General Selection Process“A cynical, destructive ploy” – Coyne

Prime Minister Harper sets in motion discreet consultationsHansen, Milliken out – Crombie, de Chastelain, Fraser, Segal in?

Unprecedented Ignatieff Intervention

Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff –strange intervention

Report and Analysis by SenexThe advent of Spring brought multiple

reports that the Prime Minister haddecided to restore the name “RoyalCanadian Navy” to what is now dubbedCanadian Forces Maritime Command,the official name for the Navy, althoughthe former usage has gained ground inboth official and unofficial usage over thelast decade. The move would comeamidst celebrations of the Navy’s 100thbirthday during 2010.

Nowhere was the unification of theCanadian Armed Forces in 1966 morefiercely resisted than in the traditionally-minded ranks of the Royal CanadianNavy. Fuelled by a contentious debate inParliament, opposition within the RCNled to the resignation of a clutch of seniorofficers, including its ranking operational

commander, Admiral William Landy -more. It took a generation to overcomethe added bitterness caused by the con-

ROYAL CANADIAN NAVYONCE AGAIN?

Will Queen Announce Centennial Giftto Maritime Command at Fleet Review?

Harper trial balloon in PM’s congratulatory message

Queen said ready to approve RCN restorationas long as not political football

continued on page 2

continued on page 3

or Hugh Segal,avuncular and intellectual Senator?

or John Fraser –energy and bonhomie?

Could David Crombie, the former “tinyperfect Mayor of Toronto” be our next GG?

or General John de Chastelain,military man admired by Queen?

“What were you thinking, Iggy?”see Editorial, see page 2

In This IssueQUEEN, PHILIP SUMMERCANADIAN HOMECOMINGItinerary and article – page 3

Charles & Camilla tour: full coverage 4-7

Official Biography of Queen Mother 8-9

Opinion: A Uniquely Canadian Crown? 11

Crowns & Maces 14

2 – Canadian Monarchist News – Spring-Summer 2010

IGNAT IEFF INTERVENT ION . . .

WHAT WERE YOUTHINKING, IGGY?Editorial Comment

It is unprecedented and not a little strange for the Leader of theOpposition to have gone public with his recommendation that MrHarper ask Mme Jean to stay on as Governor General beyond this Fall.First, the PM had already put in place a mechanism for discreet soundingout of the name of the next GG, a process in which – properly – MrIgnatieff was consulted by the Canadian Secretary to The Queen at MrHarper’s request. But such consultations are understood to be confiden-tial. Mr Ignatieff had every opportunity then – or indeed, at any timedirectly to Mr Harper, to whom as Opposition Leader he has access – toput his case in favour of an extension. Going public simply looks strangeand an attempt to gain some political advantage – though most ob serversfelt that the intervention was the more bizarre since the question of anextension is not particularly engaging the public, nor are there really anyvotes at play on either side of such debate as the issue might provoke.Second, Mr Harper has long made it clear that he favours a fairly strictadherence to the traditional five-year mandate for vice-regal incumbents.He has shown flexibility in granting extensions under certain circum-stances, such as, for instance, the one given M. Chaisson in NewBrunswick so that he could remain as HM’s representative during theworldwide Acadian conference which the province was hosting. In gen-eral, however, the PM knows how burnout can occur after five years in ademanding post with much responsibility and visibility though usuallynot much “power” in the traditional sense. Third, The Queen has onlyone Canadian advisor in the Constitutional sense, the Prime Minister ofthe day. Like any PM, Mr Harper is rightly jealous of this role – and isless, not more, likely to take an Opposition leader’s advice when it is givenin public rather than through channels showing a concern for the office.Every Opposition Leader is a potential Prime Minister. How would MrIgnatieff feel were the roles reversed, his courteous confidential involve-ment of his principal political opponent apparently set at naught by par-tisan grandstanding, and his exclusive prerogative to advise the Sovereignapparently questioned?Fourth, the giving of extensions for reasons other than those cited

above inevitably leads the media and public to draw the conclusion thatan extension is somehow a reward for “good performance” while onedenied is some form of criticism or censure of the vice-regal’s efforts inoffice. This results in gross unfairness to the incumbent denied an exten-sion, who may well feel ready to step out of the public spotlight, or whosesuccessor is ready and able to step into the position immediately. It addsto fanciful journalistic speculation about “differences” between PrimeMinister/Premier and Governor, so injecting into the political arena deci-sions that are rightly held closely, not only for reasons of state, butbecause they affect the personal lives of the incoming and outgoingappointees.Fifth, does Mr Ignatieff seriously think he should be throwing the

weight of his party – or any political grouping – either for or against agiven Governor General? Could anything be more destructive of the neu-trality essential to the office than its occupant become a political football,to be kicked into the end zone on a Sunday afternoon? Who should quar-terback a way out to the neutral field? What does this say about MrIgnatieff ’s understanding of the place of the Crown, which can accom-plish very little in the charged atmosphere of 2010 unless it is and is seento be absolutely agnostic in partisan warfare?Sixth, did Mr Ignatieff not pause to consider that, however sincere his

regard for Mme Jean, his efforts, taken in context with a recent Montrealdemonstration in support of her continuing as Governor General, wouldtend to seem part of an organized “campaign” for her to receive an exten-sion? And that media speculation would inevitably result that such activ-ity was being orchestrated by Rideau Hall?It is no insult to Mme Jean – who has most recently cemented the

affection Canadians have for her through her impassioned advocacy forthe well-being of Haiti – to say that this is a strange, unhelpful and ratherawkward intervention is likely to produce the opposite effect to thatintended by Mr Ignatieff, and to raise questions as to his judgment andprobity, to his ability to keep confidences and to his understanding of theworkings of the Canadian Constitution.

as “a Liberal darling.”PM’S CAREFUL

CONSULTATION PROCESSThe Ignatieff comments did not de-

rail a very careful process of consultationas to the best choice for GovernorGeneral, one set in motion with the per-sonal involvement of the Prime Minister,who convened a group of “wise men”(including women) to gather suggestionsfrom a variety of sources around thecountry and ultimately provide him areasoned short list, which would be hisown starting point for the ultimate nom-ination to The Queen, although he madeit clear that he would not feel obliged toselect any of the names.

The PM has met at least twice withhis consultation committee, apparentlychair ed by the Private Secretary to TheGovernor General, Sheila-Marie Cook,and said to comprise, amongst others,University of Calgary political scientistand long-time Harper confidant and pol -itical advisor Tom Flanagan; Chris topherMcCreery, author, adviser on mon -archical matters to the government andcurrently Private Sec retary to the Lieu -ten ant Governor of Nova Scotia; Can -adian Secretary to The Queen, SenateUsher of the Black Rod and experiencedRoyal Tour organizer Kevin MacLeod,CVO; distinguished historian, authorand scholar (and former Rideau Halladvisor) Jacques Monet, SJ. [As of presstime, CMN had been unsuccessful insecuring confirmation of the committee’smembership from the Prime Minister’sOffice.]

POSSIBLE CANDIDATESTestifying to the seriousness with

which the committee is taking its task, nonames of potential candidates haveleaked from its deliberations. And thoseoutsiders – the rest of us – tempted tospeculate remember the salutary re -minder of the last appointment, wherebyMme Jean’s name surfaced only the even -ing before the announcement, having fig-ured in none of the preliminary mediaanalysis including that of this periodical!

However, the buzz” amongst Ottawainsiders, suggests, first, that the mediadarling of the Spring, the widely-admiredphilanthropist and athlete Rich Hansen,is a non-starter due to his lack of abilityin French. Commons Speaker PeterMilliken, popular, of traditional viewsand genial personality, also seemed tofade in the mid-race handicapping, hisruling against the government on theAfghan detainee papers having eitherthrust him into a controversial spotlightor prejudiced his standing with thePrime Minister, depending on the cyni-cism of the commentator’s point of view.

Another factor not lost on observers,and suggesting the need for further re -finements to the process next timearound, is the paucity of suitable bilin-gual candidates from Western Canadaand especially from British Columbia.The Prime Minister is believed to feelthat competence in the French languageat least to the sort of standard he has hardwon is a sine qua non for the position. Yetfar from daily exposure or business needto use French, many Westerners arerather more likely to have some ability inSpanish or a Chinese dialect. Perhaps it istime to set in motion a process wherebypreliminary selection of a candidate is

done much earlier than at present, theproffered appointment being conditionalon the ability of the individual to takeand succeed in intensive language train-ing such as is offered to out-posted diplo-mats at Middlebury College, Vermontand similar institutions. The current pro -cess would seem to rule out not only RickHansen, but other eminently qualifiedpotential GG’s such as former Saskatch -ewan Lieutenant Governor Lynda Haver -stock and former Vancouver MayorPhilip Owen.

Amongst those whose suitability isapparently being seriously reviewed are• former Toronto Mayor and federalCabinet Minister David Crombie, 74. ATory, Crombie is regarded as an astute“player” who has continued to performuseful public service in a variety of tasks.He recently retired as head of the Can -adian Urban Institute, is an Officer of theOrder of Canada and the sort of personwhose popularity has always transcendedany party label. “Tiny perfect Mayor,” hewas affectionately dubbed in Toronto –might it play well at Rideau Hall?• General John de Chastelain might bethe presumptive favorite if, at 73, he feelsable to undertake the challenges ofRideau Hall after lengthy public serviceas Chief of the Defence Staff, Am -bassador to the United States and, mostrecently, chief interlocutor in the highly-charged Northern Ireland peace process.Appointed CH by The Queen, withwhom he is personally friendly, he also isCMM and OC. A gentleman and anessentially private man, the General’s ap -pointment would be seen as a furthertribute to the revived strength, promi-nence and popularity of the CanadianForces.• John Fraser, an avowed monarchist,recently turned 66, has had a distin-guished career spanning journalism –first resident Canadian correspondent asChina began to become more open to theWest, and later Editor of Saturday Night –in letters and in academia. Most recentlyhis lengthy service as Master of MasseyCollege has brought it to a prominentposition within the intellectual and sociallife of the University of Toronto andbeyond. Steeped in Canadian History,and an eloquent speaker, Fraser’s net-work of connections, non-stop energyand infectious bonhomie would bring afresh breath to Ottawa.• At 59, Senator Hugh Segal is theyoung est of this quartet. A long-timeCon servative appointed to the Senate byPaul Martin in 2005, Member of theOrder of Canada, he has always beenidentified as a “red Tory” with a specialinterest in the public policy process – heteaches at Queen’s University’s School ofPolicy Studies – rather than hard-lineideology. An avuncular personality com-plements his intellectual astuteness.While comparatively young, he is nowseen as neither partisan nor ambitious.

continued from the previous page

Canadians’Suggestionsfor GG

Selections from theMonarchist League’s

Facebook Site – see page 19

“Royal tours present a wonderful oppor-tunity for Canadians to learn more aboutour constitutional monarchy, one of thepillars upon which our country is found-ed. They are an important part of ourhistory, traditions and institutions.”Prime Minister Stephen Harper, May 19,2010

During her first Canadian Home com -ing since 2005, The Queen, accompaniedby the Duke of Edinburgh, will visit threeprovinces over nine days. Highlights ofthe trip include a Naval Review in Hali -fax, Canada Day ceremonies on Parl ia -ment Hill in Ottawa and a flying journeyto Winnipeg featuring a major HumanRights event.

The Royal Progress ends with severaldays in Ontario which will highlight theSovereign’s keen interest in cutting-edgeCanadian technology through visits toResearch in Motion (home of the Black -berry and other mobile communicationdevices) in Wat er loo and to Toronto’sPinewood Studios (a leading film pro-duction centre with high-tech multi-

array camera ensembles).While the pace of the tour, and the

num ber of engagements, reflects the factthat Elizabeth is in her 85th year – andPhilip in his 90th – the schedule is none -the less variegated, allowing the publicsig nificant opportunities to greet Can -ada’s Queen at major public events in thecapital cities on the itinerary, as well asfor HM to address the nation formally.

Canadian Monarchist News – Spring-Summer 2010 – 3

ROYAL HOMECOMING ITINERARY:JUNE 28-JULY 6, 2010

MONDAY JUNE 28 – LONDON-HALIFAXAfternoon administrative arrival,Public Welcome at Garrison GroundsFirst Nations ceremony at the CommonsRededication of Government HouseFree evening

TUESDAY JUNE 29 – HALIFAXFederal Luncheon at CFB HalifaxReview of Fleet: Bedford Basin/Hfx HarbourWalkabout at HMCS SackvilleEvening: Provincial Reception at Cunard Centre

WEDNESDAY JUNE 30 – HALIFAX-OTTAWATree planting at Government HouseNoon-hour departure for OttawaAdministrative Arrival Ottawa AirportRededication of Canadian Museum of NatureVisit to National Arts CentreArrival at Government House: Tree plantingAudience: the Prime MinisterViewing: Diamond Jubilee Window plansGarden PartyPrivate Dinner at Government House

CANADA DAY THURSDAY JULY 1 – OTTAWATaking of new Official PortraitArrival by Landau at Parliament HillCanada Day Ceremonies and Speech to NationPrivate LuncheonProceed to Rest Facility through July 2

SATURDAY JULY 3 – OTTAWA-WINNIPEG-TORONTOMorning departure from Ottawa to arrive Winnipeg at noon hourQueen’s Court Welcome, proceed to Government HouseProvincial Luncheon hosted by Lt-GovernorStatue unveiling and walkabout in Government House GardensEarly evening: Human Rights Ceremony and Concert at the ForksDeparture for Toronto Airport for late evening Administrative Arrival

SUNDAY JULY 4 – TORONTO11:00 Attend Matins at Cathedral Church of Saint JamesAfternoon: Attend Queen’s Plate at Woodbine Racetrack

MONDAY JULY 5 – TORONTO-WATERLOOMorning in Waterloo: visit Research in MotionProvincial Luncheon: Pinewood Studios, Toronto, followed by Studio TourFederal Dinner hosted by The Prime Minister

TUESDAY JULY 6 – TORONTO-NEW YORKMid-morning arrival at Queen’s ParkMeet the Lieutenant Governor and visit Vice-Regal SuiteProvincial event with Premier McGuintyOfficial Farewell Ceremonies on Lawn of Queen’s ParkProceed to Airport: Unveiling of Canadian Border Services BadgeEarly afternoon departure toNew York City, where The Queenwill address the United Nationsas Sovereign of all her Realms

Kevin MacLeod, CVO, Senate BlackRod and Canadian Secretary to TheQueen, will organize the Queen’sHomecoming this Summer as he didthat of the Prince of Wales in 2009.MacLeod is considered a superb andexperienced organizer, who knowsThe Queen’s mind and has HM’sconfidence and respect.

The Queen’s last came to Canadafor the Saskatchewan and Alberta

centenaries in 2005

For details of a ROYAL HOMECOMING COM-PETITION for photographers and those attend-

ing Royal events, see THE BACK PAGE

comitant abolition of distinctive uni-forms and rank insignia, which werelarge ly restored under Defence MinisterRobert Coates in 1985. However, the lossof the prestigious “Royal” designationwas not simultaneously reversed, a fail-ure which has continued to rankle withinboth the Navy and, to a lesser extent, the

Air Force.CMN has learned that Mr Harper’s

tentative plan involves asking The Queento announce the change during a FleetReview at Bedford Basin and HalifaxHarbour scheduled for the Nova Scotiaportion of the Royal Homecoming onJune 29th. Apparently he has already dis-cussed the matter – which necessitatesthe Sovereign’s approval, but not anychanges to the command structure re -quiring legislation – with The Queen,who is understood to have given hersanction as long as it can be accom-plished in a manner intended to be per-manent, and not subject to advice toreverse from a future Canadian govern-ment. At press time, the final decisionwas by no means a “done deal,” withopposition said to be led by the Com -mander of the Navy, Vice-Admiral DeanMcFadden, CMM, who was also em -broil ed in controversy as to whether gov-ernment finances would force moth-balling a significant number of Navalvessels..

A possible straw in the wind indicat-ing the Prime Minister’s intentions camewith the release of the remarks of MrHarper and Defence Minister PeterMacKay – a strong advocate of the pro-posal – in a Senate Ceremony duringwhich he designated May 4th as Can -adian Navy Centennial Day. In hisaddress and subsequent statement fromthe Prime Minister’s office, the term“Royal Canadian Navy” was used no lessthan three times, the repetition indicat-ing it was not accidental, and suggestingthat the PM was testing the waters to seereaction to a possible restoration of thetraditional nomenclature. Sympathy forhistoric Naval traditions was also sug-gested in the Minister’s May 2nd an -nounce ment of the restoration of the“executive curl” – a distinctive loop onthe topmost stripe of the braid of a NavalOfficer’s rank insignia. This Common -wealth Naval practice had also fallen bythe way at unification.

CFB Halifax, where The Queen will visit in June –will Maritime Command once more become the Royal Canadian Navy?

Navy Commander Vice-Admiral DeanMcFadden – said opposed to RCN

Navy...continued from page one

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICEPRESS RELEASE: MAY 4

(Emphases added by CMN – Ed.]Prime Minister Stephen Harper

announced today that the Governmentof Canada is designating May 4th,2010, as Canadian Navy CentennialDay to mark the Royal CanadianNavy’s 100th anniversary of service.The announcement was made during aceremony in the Senate Chamber onParliament Hill during which a ship’sbell was presented to the people ofCanada by the Navy to show their con-tinued commitment to serve.”Thefounding of Canada’s navy represents aproud milestone in our history,” saidPrime Minister Harper. “In the past100 years our sailors have developed areputation for bravery, skill and profes-sionalism from combat in both worldwars and Korea to current actions suchas delivering aid to Haiti and combat-ing piracy and terrorism in theArabian Sea. Our Government willcontinue with its efforts to re-equipCanada’s navy, providing them withthe new ships and up grades needed toget the job done.“This is a momentousoccasion. The navy is honoured bytoday’s proclamation, and we hope thatCanadians will join us in recognizingthis milestone in Canadian history,”said Vice-Admiral Dean Mc Fadden,Chief of the Maritime Staff.“TheCentennial Bell rededicates the Navy’scommitment to the people of Canadafor the next 100 years of service. Itstands as a symbol that honours thepast, celebrates the Royal CanadianNavy’s achievements and recognizesthe navy’s safeguarding of Canadianvalues of freedom, democracy, respectfor human rights and the rule of law,”said Peter MacKay, Minister of Nation -al Defence. The Royal Can adian Navyis planning several events on May 4thand throughout 2010 to mark this sig-nificant moment in Canada’s naval his-tory within the context of the centen-nial theme of “Bring the Navy toCanadians.” Events are aimed at hon-ouring the past, showcasing the cur-rent navy and reinforcing the require-ment for the future navy.

CANADIAN HOMECOMING


Report & Analysis by Robert FinchDominion Chairman,The Monarchist League of Canada

The Heir to Canada’s Throne, accom-panied here for the first time by theDuch ess of Cornwall, visited four prov -inces November 2-12. It was the first re -turn to Canada by the Prince since 2001.

Smoothly organized once again byveteran tour compère Kevin MacLeod,Canadian Secretary to The Queen andSenate Usher of the Black Rod, the pur-pose of the visit, as explained in the offi-cial Government of Canada website, wasto hold an “11-day coast-to-coast cele-bration of the places, people and eventsthat make us Canadian and contribute toour sense of belonging. The Prince andThe Duchess will share their interest onissues that are of concern to Canadians:the environment, architectural preserva-tion, cultural identity, green construc-tion, social responsibility, sustainableagriculture and military tradition andhistory, to name only a few.” The Depart -ment of Canadian Heritage mounted acomprehensive and interactive website tofacilitate access to the Royal itinerary,imagery of the tour as it progressed and agreat deal of useful background material.

Crowds throughout were at mostmod erate, although overwhelmingly en -thusiastic – the exception being the hun-dred or so separatist demonstrators inMontreal – and Camilla’s introduction toCanada did not prove controversial, HerRoyal Highness being warmly greetedevery where. However, media coverageverged from cynical to hostile, with com-mentary focusing on the Royal Couple

“visiting” from Britain as opposed tobeing members of the Canadian RoyalFamily, as well as on small crowd num-bers, with those turning out to welcomeCharles and Camilla inevitably beingdubbed “royal watchers” as if they weregathered as onlookers at a rather spectac-ular edition of “Antiques Roadshow”rather than to greet Canada’s future Kingand his Consort. As usual, the CBC out-did itself in deprecating the Royals byairing on the week of their arrival atrashy and overly hostile Doc Zone “doc-umentary” (better styled a “mockumen-tary”) entitled After Elizabeth II: Mon -archy in Peril?

The Prince and Duchess arrivedNovember 2 at St John’s. Greeted official-ly at the Mile One Centre by The Gov er -nor General, Prime Minister, Lieutenant

Governor, Premier and a throng of citi-zens – including members of the Mon -archist League of Canada – the Royalsreceived military honours which werefollowed by a cultural performance. TheNewfoundland and Labrador portion ofthe tour continued the next day whenCharles and Camilla visited the firstEnglish settlement in Canada at Cupid,and the outport heritage community ofBrigus. Before attending a Provincialreception in the evening, Charles came toMemorial University, where he met withfishermen involved with one of his caus-es, sustainable fishing, and a team fromStudents in Free Enterprise, associatedwith HRH’s charity Youth Business Inter -national. Tea with the LG and Premier,tree-planting, wreath-laying and a visitwith the Association of New Canadiansrounded out this part of the tour.

Flying to Ontario, Charles met inToronto with a group of CEO’s promot-ing business’ role in the charitable sectorand later presented the annual heritageprize bearing his name to representativesof the City of Edmonton, while Camillacarried out a solo engagement at thenew ly-refurbished Royal Conservatoryof Music. The theme of heritage contin-ued at the Provincial reception, hosted byPremier McGuinty at the Carlu Centre, arestored urban space which had lain dis-used for decades.

The next morning brought Charlesand Camilla to an historic site in Ham -ilton, Dundurn Castle, home of herdirect ancestor Sir Allan MacNab. Thiswas followed by a visit to HMCS Haidaand its naval museum, after whichCharles’ concern for sustainable agricul-ture was highlighted by a stop at NiagaraCollege’s Teaching Winery School. Oneof the largest crowds greeted the Royals

Wet day for Charles and Camilla during visit to HMCS Haida, Hamilton Harbour

MIXED RECEPTION FOR CHARLES & CAMILLADURING NOVEMBER TOUR

Moderate public crowds give warm greetings – Snide media led by CBC mockumentary – Quebec demonstrations

Prince is delighted by agricultural exhibits at theRoyal Winter Fair, Toronto Credit: Brock Weir

Camilla returns to ancestral land flanked byiconic Mounties. Credit: Brock Weir

Camilla greeted outside Royal Conservatory ofMusic in Toronto – her first solo Canadianengagement! Credit: Brock Weir

In Montreal, the Royals visited with oneof Quebec’s most successful cultural exports,

the Cirque de Soleil.

Charles, Colonel-on-Chief and Camillaat Colours Ceremony for Black Watch

Regiment, Montreal

Charles and Camilla on Remembrance Day at National War Memorial service

“On behalf of all Canadians, I wel-come Their Royal Highnesses toCanada for what I hope will be amemorable tour of our great country.Royal Visits are always a great hon-our for Canadians. Given our deepdevotion to members of the RoyalFamily, and their devotion toCanada, these visits are regarded as‘homecomings’ by Canadians.”

Prime Minister Harper,November 2, 2010

The Prince of Wales chats with The Governor General at Rideau Hall

The brief visit “was profoundin its importance,” saidRear-Admiral Tyrone Pile,commander of MaritimeForces Pacific: “His RoyalHighness has honoured allof us by wearing the uniformof the Canadian navy ...for the first time.”

(National Post, November 9, 2009,on Charles & Camilla’s visit to

CFB Esquimault)

continued on the next page

back in Toronto as their day ended withan early evening Colours PresentationCeremony to two of the Prince’s Regi -ments, the Royal Regiment of Canadaand the Toronto Scottish, at Varsity Sta -dium. Many of these reservists hadserved in Afghanistan. Due to thethought fulness of The Lieutenant Gov er -nor, 50 lucky members of the MonarchistLeague of Canada were able to attend thismemorable event as His Honour’s guests.TRH final morning in Ontario broughtthem to the Royal Winter Fair, a largeannual agricultural and equestrian show,

after which Charles visited EvergreenBrick Works, an urban regeneration proj-ect of a sort very much in line with hisinterests.

Flying across Canada, the Royal cou-ple were welcomed to British Columbiaat the Parliament Buildings in Victoria. Afederal government reception, attendedby the Vancouver Chairman of the Mon -archist League of Canada, Keith Roy,took place at the restored Salt Buildingfollowing an Aboriginal Welcome Cere -mony and tour of the Olympic Villagewith emphasis on its environmental fea-tures in the reclaimed industrial sitewhich would be home to the athletes afew months later. There too Charles met

with members of the Canadian YouthBusiness Foundation, while the Duchessvisited the VanDusen Botanical Garden,exchanging seeds from the Royal Botan -ical Gardens at Kew. After another pair ofindividual visits – the Prince to an holis-tic medical clinic and then to a seminaron sustainable urban development atSimon Fraser University while Camillavisited a hip mobility mobile research lab– both returned to Victoria for a provin-cial Reception at Government House.Sunday saw Their Royal Highnesses at -tend morning service at Christ ChurchCathedral, where Victoria MonarchistLeague Chairman Colleen Mills andmany other members joined in the wor-ship, while Monday brought them toCFB Esquimault to launch the centenarycelebrations of the Canadian Navy withboth military honours and an all-ranksReception tendered by the Admiral.

Reversing direction, the Prince andDuchess next flew to Ottawa, where theywere welcomed to Government House byMme Jean and M. Lafond. The nextmorn ing, Charles received the PrimeMin ister, and accepted, on behalf ofPrinces William and Harry, their ap -point ment as Honorary CanadianRangers. After a meeting with Opposi -tion Leader Ignatieff, the Royals flew toMontreal where they were received bythe Premier and Mme Dionne andtoured the Headquarters of the Cirque deSoleil, after which Charles visited theBio dome for a presentation on environ-mental issues before proceeding to theArmoury of the Black Watch (RoyalHighland Regiment of Canada) where hepresented a new Colour to his Regimentand met with veterans recently returnedfrom Afghanistan. The downtown loca-tion of the Armoury proved irresistiblefor separatist demonstrators who delayedCharles’ arrival by about an hour, theQue bec security officials using a lighttouch with the protesters.

A vivid contrast to the protests of theprevious day occurred as the Prince ofWales, who had returned to Ottawa the

previous evening, joined the GovernorGeneral at the National Service of Re -membrance on November 11 at the WarMemorial. After the ceremony, TRHjourneyed to CFB Petawawa to meet withmilitary personnel and their families.The day concluded with a glittering Re -ception and Dinner at Rideau Hall, atwhich I was privileged to be a guest. Thiswas the final event on the Royal schedule,the next day bringing the traditional oaktree planting on the grounds of Govern -ment House and the flight back toLondon.

Constructing a Royal tour program -me is a thankless business, balancing thepreferences and existing obligations ofthe Royals involved with the often-com-peting claims of different levels of gov-ernment and the military with securityconcerns, and the desire of the public –where crowds will number a few thou-sands at most – to welcome and gainproximity to the Royals with the need toprovide settings which will play well on

television – the imagery that will be seenby many millions and inevitably form thelasting impressions of the homecomingfor the vast majority of Canadians. Allthe planning in the world can neithersup press demonstrators in Quebec northe harshness of some elements of themedia.

That said, there were certainly ele-ments of this visit that, in retrospect,were not helpful. One such factor, defi-nitely out of planners’ control, was thenine-year absence of Charles from Can -ada, coupled with the conspicuous andinexcusable failure of his and his sons’advisors to have brought William andHarry here during their Gap Years so thatthey could begin to build a network ofCanadian friends and causes, and, moreimportantly, be seen by Canadians aspart of the fabric of national life as theyhave successfully done in Australia andNew Zealand, and in respect of the Com -monwealth, in many parts of Africa.However, absent regular homecomings


CHARLES & CAMILLA TOUR. . .


Prince of Wales and Camilla wore both Can -adian and British versions of RemembranceDay poppies throughout their Canadian tour

Credit: Karen Hill

Charles officially opens Toronto’s Royal WinterFair Credit: Karen Hill

Camilla greets exhibitors at Royal Winter Fair,Toronto. Hon Hilary Weston, former Lt Gov andfriend of the Royal Couple, appears far r.

Credit: Karen Hill

Press of media followed Royals throughoutCanada Credit: Karen Hill

Monarchist League Education CoordinatorNath an Tidridge (extreme r. of picture on steps)accompanied students from Waterdown DistrictHS to greet Charles & Camilla – the studentshad been volunteering at the Castle for the pre -vious two months as part of an Active HistoryProgram and, from a VIP section with guestssuch as Hamilton’s favorite son, former Lieu -tenant Governor Lincoln Alexander, were ableto view the Tree-planting at Dundurn Castle.

Credit: Nathan Tidridge

Cabinet Minister’sLoyal Welcome:

May I say to you, Your RoyalHighness, just how delighted we areto welcome you home, as well as togreet you, for the very first time, inyour new rank of Vice-Admiral inthe Canadian Navy... the uniformlooks very smart on you, and youmake us proud by wearing it today onthis very special occasion... AsMinister of Citizenship and Im -migration, I take great pride in shar-ing uniquely Canadian symbols with new Canadian citizens. One such symbolis the Canadian Crown embodied in our Head of State, Her Majesty QueenElizabeth II...May there be peace and prosperity in our beloved Dominion ofCanada and God’s blessings on our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth II. GodSave The Queen.

Hon. Jason Kenney welcomingCharles & Camilla to CFB Esquimault, November 9, 2009

Some sense from the media!“So grow up Canada. It would be irresponsible to inflict a constitutional

maelstrom on the country in order to fix something that isn’t broken. We shouldnot be afraid of continuing our connection with the British Crown. It is a splen-did part of our cultural heritage. And to those who get a bad case of colonialcringe when Prince Charles sets foot in Canada, my advice is to ignore mediahogwash, listen to what the man has to say and learn about the causes he hasespoused. I think you will find he measures up well against any parliamentaryhead of state, especially in those republican parliamentary countries you maywish to admire.”

Peter H. Russell, professor emeritus of political science at theUniversity of Toronto, writing in the Toronto Star, Nov 5, 2009

Charles wearing uniform of Vice-Admiral inthe CF for the first time, with federal Ministerand passionate monarchist Hon Jason Kenney

“We want a monarch we canlook up to because he doesn’ttalk down to us. We want athinking prince who can raisealarums against the over-simplification and shortcutsof modernity and not caterto the slack-jawed greed,complacency and drearinessof today’s consumer society.We want an heir who looksas elegant in exquisitelytailored suiting as he doesin gumboots.”

Iain Hunter, writing in VictoriaTimes-Colonist, November 7, 2009


by the Prince and a purposeful, long-overdue introduction of the youngPrinces to Canadians, Charles’ visits willbe billed as those of an occasional British“visitor.”

The responsibility for the past dec -ade’s irretrievable lost opportunities liesboth with Clarence House’s difficultywith the Charles’ engagement diary andapparent indifference in terms of com-pelling William and Harry to focus onCanada when they were much younger,on the one hand, and the past hostilityand priorities of Canadian politicians, onthe other. It is certainly to be regrettedthat no immediate follow-up occurred tothe concerted effort of a group of Can -adians who traveled several years ago tovisit Charles’ charities in Britain and tomeet with the Prince to discuss howthese could be extended to a Canadiancontext.

In this context, then, elements of theRoyals’ programme seemed almost toinvite imagery that would accentuate the“us and them” element which fostersrepublicanism’s trump card: that “they”

are not part of “us” but “visitors” fromBritain. For example, Charles and Cam -illa’s first stop after their arrival in StJohn’s was to visit the site of the firstBritish settlement in Canada. A goodpart of the programme involved Charles’military role as Colonel-in-Chief ofCanadian Regiments. These of coursepro vide constant links with our country,and are doubly significant given the factthat Canadian soldiers are now fighting

and giving their lives in Afghanistan. Yetsome of the imagery seemed exotic tomany Canadians unaware of their sym-bolism: Charles wearing a busby in hisdress uniform, for example.

In addition, some felt there were fewopportunities for the public to meet theRoyals. And while the Prince took part inmany forums to discuss his particularinterests, he was not given enough op -portunity to communicate his message tothe public, who missed out on hearing atfirst-hand this extraordinary man’s gen-uine humanism and grasp of very com-plex issues which have won him world-wide recognition. The itinerary was an -nounced relatively late – possibly drivenby security concerns – but it gave littlenotice for the public to plan to see theRoyals. Mile One Stadium in St John’swas less than half-full for the arrival cer-emonies: what could have been done toavoid this embarrassing scenario? Whywere school children and seniors notbused in by the thousands to pack thearena to its rafters? And why, when thePrince visited his Ontario Regiments atVarsity Stadium in the middle of theUniversity of Toronto, was he not after-wards given the chance to engage withstudents at Canada’s largest university?Missed opportunity.

Of course not even Kevin MacLeod’ssuperb orchestration of the programmecould preclude politicians making foolsof themselves or going off message.Notable in this respect was Newfound -land and Labrador Premier DannyWilliams’ welcome remarks treating thecouple as “British visitors” in an inappro-priately facetious speech where he said“Wherever you go here, you will find fishand chips that rival any in London, aswell as plenty of Newfoundlanders whocan’t live without their daily dose of Cor -onation Street.” Perhaps Mr Williams’intentions were good, but the executionclumsy – for the Premier did go on to toobserve that the Royals “would discoverhow much you and your family arerespected and admired by our people.”

The Prince of Walesaddresses the State Dinner,Rideau Hall, Ottawa

12th November 2009Your Excellencies, Prime Minister andMrs. Harper, mesdames et messieurs,distinguished guests...

After ten days of travelling across ninetime zones in four provinces, twelvecities and the Capital region, I have to saythat I do rather look to my wife for somereassurance that this is indeed Ottawaand today is indeed Thursday – or is itWednesday?! I’m afraid it’s enough to

make me lose my marbles! But there is nodoubt whatsoever that any visitor toCanada cannot help but be struck by theimmensity and diversity of the world’ssecond largest country which of courseacts as an incredibly important guardianof much of the Arctic – the world’s refrig-eration service if you think about it.

Mon épouse et moi tenons à vousremercier sincèrement pour les com-mentaires très aimables et généreuxentendus ce soir. C’est un véritable plaisird’être parmi vous dans ce décor histo-rique – Rideau Hall.

When, Governor-General, you sokindly wrote to us many months ago toinvite us to visit, I am afraid I made tworequests. First, that my wife and I shouldbe able to meet as many Canadians aspossible. And, second, that the CanadianForces should assume a particular signif-icance in the programme. I was so pleas -ed when this chimed exactly with theGovernment of Canada’s own priorities.We have, I fear, now rather lost count ofthe thousands of people we have metover the past ten days. But what we doretain – and with great clarity – is thewarmth of the welcome we have receivedfrom coast to coast.

Remembering with fondness the timeI spent back in 1975 on exercise with HerMajesty’s Canadian Forces when I wasserving in the Royal Navy and foundmyself in a tent for three weeks in asomewhat inaptly named place, calledBlissville– near Gagetown military basein New Brunswick – you can perhapsimagine that the time my wife and I havebeen able to spend with some of theRegiments of which I am so proud to beColonel in Chief – a number of them forover thirty years now – has been particu-larly treasured. These regimental “fami-lies” with their traditions of service andcourage – for that is their real strength –play such an important part in the life ofthe nation. Indeed, today at the 11th

hour of the 11th day of the 11th month,my wife and I were greatly privileged tojoin you, Governor-General, with thePrime Minister and others, to pay tributeto all Canada’s fallen. It was an even morepoignant occasion at this time when Ithink of those Canadian servicemen whohave paid the ultimate price for their loy-alty and dedication in Afghanistan. Wedo owe them an enormous debt of ever-lasting gratitude as well as opening ourhearts to their loved ones who grieve forthem.

Mesdames et messieurs, je peux affir-mer sans conteste, par mes nombreuxvoyages internationaux, que le Canadaest perçu comme étant imprégné d’unsens des responsabilités et d’un sens dudevoir, surtout quand vient le temps d’ai-der les autres dans le besoin. Au coursdes dix derniers jours, j’ai eu l’honneur etle plaisir de rencontrer énormément deCanadiens qui ont à cœur cette obliga-tion de servir avec conviction, diligenceet altruisme.

What has been so marvellous, if I maysay so, is the opportunity we have had toexplore the nexus between military andcivilian operations. A few years ago, withPresident Karzai of Afghanistan, I found-ed something called the TurquoiseMountain Foundation in Kabul, to try toprotect and restore not only something ofwhat remains of the old, historic part ofthe city’s former beauty and to keep itsfamous craft skills alive, but also to re -store dignity to the place and to the peo-ple... The results could not be more obvi-ous. Remarkably, for instance, some15,000 cubic metres of rubbish has beencleared from the streets! 750 squaremetres of lanes and public spaces havebeen paved and emergency repairs con-



The Prince of Wales speaks to a member ofthe Guard of Honour at the National War

Mem or ial on Remembrance Day

Camilla meets troops at CFB Petawawaon Remembrance Day

Premier & Mrs Campbell flank the Royal coupleon steps of BC Legislature during singing of theNational Anthem at the Provincial welcome.

Credit: Emily Hansen

Dogs a sure-fire way to attract Royal attention! Monarchist Trudy Carrier (in dark hat holding leads)and her Canadian guide dogs for the Blind stock Walker and Kyle about to greet Charles. Credit: Trudie Carrier

“I have nothing but thegreatest pride in what myregiments and the rest of theCanadian Forces achieve allaround the world...I knowhow busy you all are and Icannot possibly congratulateyou enough for the serviceyou provide.”

HRH Prince of Wales atCFB Esquimault, November 9, 2009

Royal Homecomingon TwitterCharles and Camilla’s visit was thefirst-ever to be followed on Twitter,the social networking chatter facility.At the initiation of MonarchistLeague Chair man Robert Finch, fol-lowers tweeted the visit. Intrigued bythe innovation, Can west media part-nered with the League to have theirreporters tweet from the differentvenues of the visit, thereby adding ajournalistic perspective to the man-on-the-street reaction. And who saysmonarchists are fuddy-duddies?

Journalism or Snideness?CUPIDS, Newfoundland – This isthe birthplace of English Canada.And maybe, judging by the teensycrowds for Charles and Camilla,where the institution of offshoremonarchy has come to die. Fifty-seven people – the exact head-count– showed up in the damp and the fogTuesday morning for a gander at thePrince of Wales and the Duchess ofCornwall. Admittedly, that’s justabout one-twelfth of the local popu-lation, but still. It’s not like there’s awhole lot else to do on a Novemberday in this quiet, albeit gorgeous,niche of the country.

Rosie DiManno, Toronto Star,November 3, 2009

ducted on more than eighty buildings,including the magnificent historic centreof Kabul, Murad Khane where, as aresult, there is now full employment inthat part of the city for every man whowants a job. As you can imagine, I amenormously proud of what has beenachieved over the past four years by theDirector, Rory Stewart, and his team.None of this, I have to say, would havebeen possible without the generous sup-port of the Government of Canada...

Plusieurs autres rencontres ont égale-ment marqué les esprits. Par exemple, lesjeunes entrepreneurs qui développentdes compétences et des programmesd’application nationale et internationale

que nous avons eu la chance de rencontr-er à St Johns et, quelques jours plus tard,à Vancouver. Et les bénévoles qui aidentles réfugiés et les nouveaux immigrants às’adapter aux réalités de la société canadi-enne. Ce ne sont que quelques exemplesparmi tant d’autres de ce souci d’autruiqui nous faire dire, que le Canada n’estpas seulement vivant et en bonne forme,mais qu’il prospère!

In less than one hundred days time,the entire world’s eyes will again turntowards Canada as you host the WinterOlympics. My wife and I saw for our-selves in Vancouver how what you haverightly called “The Green Games” willnot only celebrate the excellence ofCanada’s athletes – some of whom wehad the pleasure of meeting – but also thework of Canadians in raising awarenessof climate change and of the kind ofchanges we will all need to make to ourlives – and urgently – if we are to savethis – our only – Planet for our childrenand grandchildren.

There may be less than 100 days to theWinter Olympics, but despite what theclimate change sceptics might say, I amafraid we now have less than 100 months– ninety-two to be precise – to take thenecessary action to limit catastrophic cli-mate change. First Nation peoples under-

stand this better than most. So, the des-tiny of future generations lies in thehands of those attending the Copen -hagen summit next month, and it is forthis reason that I am particularly heart-ened that iconic Canadian companiessuch as Royal Bank of Canada, Scotia -bank, Bombardier, Cascades, and FourSeasons Hotels have signed a joint com-muniqué, organized by my Business andthe Environment Programme, urgingworld leaders to agree on cuts in carbonemissions which are guided by the sci-ence. The Canadian firms I have men-tioned have been joined by companiesincluding Nike, GE, Kodak, eBay, Coca-Cola, Nestle and Yahoo! There are nowover 1,000 signatories from similar com-panies all around the world. These firmsare motivated by hard-headed commer-cial realities – and the very clear wishesof their shareholders, let alone, of course,many of their younger employees whonowadays look to their companies to takea responsible lead.

Governor-General, Prime Minister,when we leave Canada tomorrow we willtake with us countless fond memories ofour time with you and will continue tokeep Canada and Canadians in ourminds – and, most importantly, in ourhearts – however far away we may be. Itake the greatest possible pride in the

Canadian regiments and organizationswith which I am associated and will con-tinue to follow their achievements withthe closest attention. That is why, Ladiesand Gentlemen, this evening, my wifeand I are not saying “au revoir” as muchas “à bientôt.” Thank you.




Charles takes Salute at Colours Ceremony forRoyals and Scottish, Varsity Stadium, Toronto

Credit: Brock Weir

Charles enters Carlu, Toronto, for ProvincialReception Credit: Brock Weir

Close-up during a walkabout in downpour atVancouver’s Van Dusen Gardens, Camilla com -mended the photographer for standing in thepoor, cold weather. Credit: Susan Ebeling

The Crown guaranteed the freedom for a fewseparatists to gain world wide attention byprotesting the future Monarch’s visit outside

the Black Watch ArmouryQuebec Premier Jean Charest greets the

Prince of Wales

State Dinner MenuCharles, Camilla – and Chairman Finch – enjoyed a remarkable meal fromthe kitchens of Rideau Hall. Washed down with Niagara wines, the menuconsisted of Lake Winnipeg Goldeye, Northern pike and western wildmushroom rillette served with Cortland apple prairie grain croquette,Saskatchewan mustard seed and colza oil emulsion. This was followed byAppalachian red deer loin roasted with Rideau Hall herb garden chai,Outaouais cranberry and Shishigatani squash pot pie, maple-braised Salsifibundle, autumn root vegetables with late-harvest Laurentian pimbina andNiagara Cabernet Sauvignon reduction. Then, baby and micro greens fromCookstown, Ont., with Okanagan apricot and golden plum vinaigrette. Forafters? A tartlet of Newfoundland and Labrador Screech rum-soaked pearconfit, Nova Scotia baked apple frosted soufflé enhanced with Quebec icecider and Ontario wild ginger, Nunavut Ukiurtatuq tea and wild easternberry quenelle.

Enthusiastic MonarchistsTell of Royal EncountersMY ROYAL ENCOUNTER: I think I have been to just about every publicroyal visit to Canada since 1983. I could not miss the chance to see the royalcouple on their first visit to Toronto. My sister and I arrived at the RoyalAgricultural Fair before 8 am to ensure we got great seats on both sides ofthe stadium. When the couple arrived by landau a tear came to my eye withpride to be able to see our future King and Queen in person. The ceremonywas short and when I went to meet my sister afterward, I discovered theroyal couple were touring the fair and shaking hands with people along theway. I was thrilled to be standing on the edge of the laneway as Camillawalked by and smiled. I thought my day was made! When I finally found mysister, she told me the Duchess was off to see the Super Dog show, so off wewent. It was amazing to watch her watch the dogs. She seemed to genuine-ly enjoy the show. Afterward, I lined the laneway where she was leaving. Tomy utter amazement, I got to shake her hand and say hello. I was flabber-gasted! What an honour!

Karen Hill, Mississauga, ONMY ROYAL ENCOUNTER: I decided it would be “eye-catching” to theroyal couple if we took our two elderly male Black Labs with us. Both dogsare Can adian Guide Dogs for the Blind stock. The older one, Walker, is aretired guide dog, having successfully guided in Kelowna, BC and the other,Kyle, was not accepted into the training programme in Ottawa as his leg wasinjured when he was a pup. We “puppy-walked” both dogs in their first yearof life. Anyway, my plan worked and Prince Charles came straight over tomeet them. I briefly told him their history and he seemed very interestedand quite delighted with them. I was interviewed by the local TV sta-tion(CHEK) and I understand it was shown not only locally but nationallyas well.

Trudie Carrier, Victoria, BCMY ROYAL ENCOUNTER: I saw Prince Charles and Camilla when theycame to the BC Legislature on Friday, 6 November. It had been raining allday, but it stopped just before they arrived. I got such a thrill when I had myfirst glimpse of them pulling up outside the Legislature- to actually seeCharles and Camilla in person, for the first time, was absolutely incredible.Charles and Cam illa stood under a pavilion, where Charles gave a speech,and the Mon archist League members had an excellent view. I was veryimpressed with the number of people lining the walkway who had come outto see the royal couple, and so proud that Victoria could give them such anenthusiastic welcome... Then Charles and Camilla came down to do a walk-about. They each took one side of the walkway, and Camilla came to ourside. She shook hands with every person in the front row, where I was stand-ing, and even anyone behind who put their hands out. She said “Hello” asshe shook my hand. I was thrilled...

Emily Hansen, Victoria, BC.

Media CharacterizesCrowdsAs mentioned in Mr Finch’s articleabove, many media choose to char-acterize crowds greeting Royals notas “enthusiastic Canadians” or “Que -beckers braving separatist protestors”but as members of a fan club. To citebut one example – the MontrealGazette, November 10, 2009, report-ed that “About 200 royal watch ersgreet ed the couple in English andFrench as they arrived at QuebecPremier Jean Charest’s office... AtMont real’s nature museum, the Bio -dome, chosen as a site in keepingwith the conservancy theme of thetrip and Prince Charles’s ecologicalcampaign, about 60 royalty fans,most of them French, mingled withpolice, a quartet of protesters whosang and a young woman in a sealsuit.” [emphases added – Ed.]


By John Fraser

[Journalist and author John Fraseris the Master of Massey College inthe University of Toronto – Ed.]

Amongst his many friends (and de -tractors) in the British media, there was asense of shock that William Shawcrosswould have (a) actually agreed to write abook on any member of the Royal Fam -ily, and (b) spent so much time to writesuch an exhaustive account of the cente-narian Queen Mother. This was per hapsbecause Shawcross is most famous for hisbrilliantly researched and scorching ac -counts of the mess the United States gotitself into in Indo-China during the Viet -nam War (Side show: Nixon, Kissinger andthe Des truc tion of Cambodia, 1979) andthe continuing mess countries make oftheir foreign policy (Deliver Us FromEvil: Warlords, Peacekeepers and a Worldof Endless Con flict, 2000).

In addition, or perhaps especially, hesupported the invasion of Iraq which puthim squarely up against the majorityopinion in the liberal British media. Aman of the media, unafraid of powerfulgovernments, fearless in taking on issues:but the monarchy? It is a sign of howmuch many in the media have demo-nized or trivialized the Royal Family thatsuch surprise could be seriously regis-tered.

In truth, this rather shy and gentlejournalistic warrior is simply a seekerafter truth. He never claimed all-know-ing knowledge, and as the son of LordShawcross, the chief British prosecutor atthe postwar trials of high Nazi officials inNuremberg, he has been surrounded onall sides by the complications – and someof the brutal certainties – of legality, loy-alty, betrayal, heroism and compromise.Such a life has left him a devout, if un -flamboyant, Christian who also has rev-erence for tradition and the role of theCrown in national life.

A few months ago, his monumentalstudy of Queen Elizabeth, the QueenMother’s long sojourn on earth was pub-lished simultaneously in the UnitedKing dom, the United States, Australia,New Zealand and Canada. To launch it inToronto, the former lieutenant governorof Ontario, the Hon. Hilary Weston,host ed a book reception at Massey Col -lege and that was where I had a chance totalk with William Shawcross, as well aslater on a trip to London where we hadbreakfast together at the Landmark Hotelin Marylebone. I asked him why he tookon the task of trying to turn such a sto-ried and long life into a huge biographywhen he knew he would be attacked andeven mocked by many in the media whofeel it is open season on all members of

the Royal Family.“You’re right. I knew it would be at -

tacked, but I didn’t care. I was commis-sioned to do it from a pretty high quarterand after that I never once thought of notdoing it. I admired the Queen Motherand our Queen for their incredible senseof duty. I knew that much of the QueenMother’s life was a succession of ratherstaid receptions and dinners, but thatwasn’t the point. It was a life set againstan extraordinary century and she had thegaiety and common sense to understandnot only the importance of royalty in themodern age, but also she knew how tomake it work for the widest possiblerange of people.”

At the launch at Massey College earli-er this year, Shawcross read several sec-tions of his book and told some of theanecdotes associated with the QueenMother’s visit’s to Canada, both as con-sort to King George VI and as his vibrantwidow with extensive ties to many Can -adian institutions. He delighted in tellingone tale which saw the Queen Mother’sofficial airplane developed serious engineproblems and was forced to make anemergency landing at a Can adian forcesbase in northern Alberta. Upon descend-ing from the plane to be greeted by adumb-founded and hastily called basecom mander and a small honour party,she turned on her famous smile. “It’s sonice to be back home in northernAlberta, Commander. Thank you somuch!”

“That was so like her, wasn’t it,” saidShawcross recalling the anecdote. “It did-n’t matter where she was, she alwaysunder stood what people expected of her,she always put people at ease, she alwayshad a bit of a twinkle in her eye.”

I asked Shawcross how he felt aboutthe future of the monarchy in both theUnited Kingdom and Canada. He said itwas “not for me to address the Canadiansituation” but that he felt the RoyalFamily had weathered rather well un pre -cedented assaults from certain factions ofthe media and other anti-monarchyenthusiasts.

“It has been brutal some of the time,hasn’t it, just brutal, but I think ourQueen is very strong and she has a prettygood track record as far as service is con-cerned. I think Prince Charles has hadthe hardest go of all, but he seems to bewinning out these days. He is happilymarri ed, his sons are popular, and thecauses he support – whether its concernfor the environment or the welfare ofpeople on the margins – and which hehas supported ever since he was allowedto speak for himself are all causes whichhave become everyone’s now. And I thinkthe Queen Mother added a large dose of

The Queen Mother by William Shawcross

An interview essay with the author

William Shawcross presents his official Biography of The Queen Mother to The Queen and Princeof Wales at Birkhall, the late Queen’s residence on the Balmoral Estate, now occupied by Charles andCamilla.

BOOK REVIEW

QUEEN ELIZABETHTHE QUEEN MOTHER:THE OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHYReview by Senex

by William ShawcrossHarper CollinsISBN: 978-0002008051C$39.99 – available via amazon.caat $25.77

The very first thing that will strike youabout this tome is its weight: at well over1,000 pages, it is a hefty read not particu-larly congenial for bed or bath. In a word,the author has been diligent and thor-ough in his mission, and polite, even,reverential in respect of his subject.Perhaps it is the fate of any official biog-raphy to concentrate on bald facts, whichShawcross does in spades, but at the sametime to be reticent, or rendered so, aboutprobing beneath those facts to renderfresh judgement on and insight into, inthis case, one of the best known andgreatly-admired Royals ever to havelived.

That familiarity with The Queen

Mother which persists amongst the pub-lic likely to read such a biography consti-tutes a further problem for such an offi-cial biographer. All of us know the out-line of Elizabeth’s long and useful life –her girlhood at Glamis, her persistentwoo ing by Bertie, her taming of thealarming naval-tempered George V, herdistaste for Wallis Simpson, her enablingthe unexpected King in speech and con-fidence, her exemplary mothering of thelittle Princesses, her personal braveryand public appearances so vital tonation al spirit throughout the War andthen her long, golden, resolute autumnclimaxing in a centenary celebration parexcellence, followed by a relatively shortperiod of infirmity and enormouscrowds who paid at her death their hom-age of deep and affectionate respect.

The details of the above outline of herlife is Shawcross’ strength. It will servebetter, perhaps, the next generation forwhom The Queen Mother will be some-one of whom the elders spoke rather thanas a living figure who formed part of thefabric of the shared life of the Common -

resilience to the Royal Family and forthat we should all be grateful.”

Shawcross is pleased with the sales ofthe book on several continents and hesaid he will always remember the relishhe felt at the chance to research the bookat various royal residences, as well as dointerviews with so many of the still-livingwitnesses to the Queen Mother’s “magic.”

The book is as much a “homage” as it is arecord of the past century, viewed fromthe top. That’s not a “top” that is in anyway arrogant, or exclusive, but rather atop much like the author: curious, warm-hearted, courageous, with equal meas-ures of fun and respect for tradition andthe dignified side of public life.


wealth in which we participated.But what was she really like? Alas, per-

haps inevitably, the paucity in Shawcross’work of – not so much “revelation,” forwho amongst us imagined there were anyshocking secrets to be ferreted out of herlife – but of insight into Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the human being – leads to one oftwo conclusions.

Either the conditions placed on Shaw -cross by The Queen together with thesealing of some Archival material, at leastfor now, rendered it impossible to pene-trate behind the gauzy dresses and happyracing parties and the entire image of afairy queen who loved her people, gavethem enormous pleasure and in returnwas greatly loved. In which case we oweShawcross thanks for harnessing his tal-ents to writing a compendium of whatwas available to him. We can then hopeto live long enough to find a biographerwho, unencumbered by any duty to ourSovereign, will get behind the greathappy costume party and give us Eliza -beth, warts and all.

Or, there really was nothing there tobe got at. No warts. The happy, doughtyElizabeth whom we experienced duringwhatever part of the last century we livedwas that rarest of all God’s creatures:entirely as she seemed, truly happy, utter-ly uncomplicated. To observe that therewas nothing to get at does not meanthere was nothing there: it is not a criti-cism or a suggestion of shallowness.Rather, it suggests that a sunny soul cre-ated blue sky and fair winds not only forall about her but for herself. And if that istrue, how envious we might be! But sucha life does not then lend itself to muchintellectual analysis.

To be fair to the author, it is importantto know that in his Preface, Shawcrosscontrasts the former strictures of officialroyal biography with what, he asserts, hefound to be true when he started hiswork in 2003. Indeed the second sen-tence of the book begins, “I was givenunrestricted access ...to Queen Eliza -beth’s papers.” He goes on to say “I wasgiven no such instructions... I was en -couraged to write what I wished.” Ofcourse neither he let alone any reader canknow what material never made its wayto the Royal Archives at Windsor,whether through the ravages of time, theprotectiveness of Princess Margaret orthe unilateral decision of one of thecoterie of butlers and footmen who grewextraordinary close to a Dowager Queen.

Without further speculation, whatremains? Certainly the book is fascinat-ing in its minutiae. Imagine the youngDuchess penning an amusing note to asupposedly confirmed bachelor friendasking whether he should marry an Am -erican girl named Isabel. “Is a bell neces-sary riding on a bicycle “ replied Eliza -beth, “That’s one point against her, poorgirl.” And she went on to list four more“againsts” and but one “for” – a sense ofhumour. Conclusion? “Yes I think youought to marry her. The sense of humour

balances everything.” How marvellous!And much more, too, we are let in on.

Imagine the sight of Prime MinisterNeville Chamberlain gooseberry pickingwith Queen Mary. Of Elizabeth at 58 tak-ing great pleasure that a lengthy tourwould take her right around the world“before her very modern son-in-lawPrince Philip had done so.” Poor Philip!Or of her passing through her study tothe King in 1941, telling him “I’ve justheard the most extraordinary thing onthe wireless. The Japanese have bombedthe Americans. It can’t be true.” Allvignettes that ring utterly true, and thatShawcross has either unearthed afresh orfound in a source so obscure the reader isunlikely to have encountered it.

Canada, of course, plays its part in thebiography. Reality hits home in the ever-tetchy US-Canadian relationship. Havingopined that it was important for Britishopinion to sense the 1939 trip was madeprimarily for the benefit of Canadians,Shawcross observes, “Despite the hope ofCanadian officials, the American visitcame to outweigh the Canadian journeybecause of the personal relationship theKing was able to form with PresidentRoosevelt.” But he does not downplay thesignificance of the trans-Canadianodyssey – especially “in guaranteeing thesupport of Mackenzie King and Canadain the event of war, for the CanadianPrime Minister had been a convincedappeaser...”

Shawcross shares many fine momentsfresh to the otherwise-familiar narrativeof the ‘39 tour. On the first evening at theOld Capital of Quebec, the LieutenantGovernor was struck by how at dinnerThe Queen, looking over the throngs ofstrangers arrayed before her at theChateau Frontenac, was able to identifythree as “having the air of educators”(they were in fact university presidents)and two as judges. She insisted on meet-ing all five after the meal. The distance ofdeferential 1939 from today hits sharplyhome as we read that a crowd of 20,000stood silently at Sudbury train stationduring a 20-minute stop at 1:00 am. Thelocal press had published a request thatthe Royals be allowed to sleep. Quiteincredible on many levels! And as theEmpress of Britain set sail homewards atthe end of the tour, Lady Tweedsmuirwatched, reflecting on Shakespeare’slines, “The bright day is gone, and we arefor the dark.”

Other Canadian tours – really, home-comings, – were less portentous andprobably even more fun. The GovernorGeneral and Prime Minister personallyintervened to reverse Sir Martin Gilliat’sinitial refusal of a Maritime tour in Cen -tennial year. The Queen Mother’s insis-tence on making an unscheduled visit tothe CN Tower in 1985 – despite TheQueen’s having let it be known to Ottawathat “no extras” were to be added to theschedule. Apparently her Private Secre -tary told the federal Coordinator, HarrisBoyd, that Elizabeth had not yet made

her daily phone call to The Queen, forfear of the ascent being forbidden! Twoyears later, testing the waters in Montrealfor future Royal visitors, she came upon ahigh school prom dance blaring louddisco music in an adjacent functionroom as she left a Regimental Dinner atthe Queen Elizabeth Hotel. In she went –the kids immediately recognized her andcried “Vive La Reine” – and, we are told,she came out dancing!

1989 brought Elizabeth to Canada forthe last time – Shawcross tells us that TheQueen vetoed a proposed trip a few yearslater. Appropriately, her final Canadianengagement was the 130th running ofThe Queen’s Plate, which prestigioushorse race her daughter will attend 21years later this summer.

One very enjoyable result of Shaw -cross’ researches is his frequently provid-ing us with passages from diary entries aswell as from hitherto-unpublished lettersQueen Elizabeth wrote over the years.These bubble with the personality wealways sensed from her charm and gaiety,but they also deal with more serious sub-jects.

In her diary, the young Duchess ofYork recounts how the Prince of Walesand some of his paramours had takenBertie and her dancing until 2:30 in themorning: “Woke up very tired,” shewrote, “We are not used to dancing!”That would change. At the end of a trulygrueling Australian tour they made in1927 (imagine wearing royal finery inpre-air-conditioning days!) Elizabethwrote the King – “dearest Papa” – in mostaffectionate terms: “I hope you will notthink me looking old and ugly, but aweek in the Red Sea in June does not helpthe complexion... it has been very hot,and my cabin (sleeping) has been 105,which is most uncomfortable...” Anunderstatement.

On the serious side, Shawcross cites aletter Elizabeth wrote the Headmaster ofEton years after the Abdication, reflect-ing on “David” with great acuity: “I won-der. I don’t think he ever wanted to beKing. I don’t think he thought of it as

something he ought to do. Very odd.People do change in a strange way...Every body adored him. I think he mayhave thought he was so popular that peo-ple would want him back, whatever... Hemust have been bemused with love, Isuppose. You couldn’t reason with him...”

In a brief Epilogue, Shawcross sumsup his subject with great fondness butwithout any sentimentality. Commentingthat “She loved to preserve,” Shawcrossrealizes also that the very conservatismof her love of the old ways, of tradition,and of her influence on her daughter,“may have slowed down the pace of royalreform which is always necessary tomaintain consent.” But he balances thismeasured criticism with the realizationthat in the dark days for the monarchyduring the 1990’s, The Queen Mother’spopularity remained constant, and help -ed to deflect a few of the deadlier arrowsfrom the criticism some royals seemed togo out of their way to attract. He alsolauds her courage amidst war and infir-mity, and the constancy of her presence;and he acknowledges the effect thesequalities had for good.

The reviewer remembers vividly at -tending a principal celebration of her100th birthday, the Pageant of Elizabeth’sLife on HorseGuards Parade. In themidst of it all stood up a very old lady,who uttered just a few words, speakingfor perhaps two or three minutes, and yetholding all in complete thrall and rever-ent silence, as she referred to “those whohave gone before.” Now she has joinedthat company of souls who have influ-enced our lives for good.

Aptly, then, Shawcross closes hisintriguing but frustrating book by quot-ing from the Archbishop of Canterbury’sletter to Elizabeth at the beginning of theSecond World War: “I feel inclined to sayto Your Majesty what was said in theBible story to Queen Esther – Whoknow eth whether thou art come to thekingdom for such a time as this?...”Shawcross suggests that it was true in1939 “and remained so to the end of herlife.”

It is unlikely that these Royal readers will find anything upsetting inShawcross’ biography of The Queen Mother


The timing is right for a conferenceon the Canadian Crown. The constitu-tional issues surrounding the federalelection of October 2008, prorogations ofDecember 2008 and 2009 and minoritygovernment have drawn public attentionto the reserve powers of the Crown.There has been debate about the role ofthe Governor General and the LieutenantGovernors. Although there is not a sig-nificant republican movement in Can -ada, the role and relevance of the Crownare current topics of discussion in themedia and the future of the monarchy inCanada needs to be addressed.

This conference attracted people in -ter ested in the Crown, whether academ-ics, policy-makers, staff of vice-regaloffices, or public commentators. It is in -tend ed as an academic and policy searchconference on the purpose, functioning,advantages and drawbacks of the presentsystem of constitutional monarchy inCanada and what its future might hold.The purpose is not to debate whether ornot Canada should be a monarchy butrather to encourage an exchange of ideasand inform Canadians on the institutionof the Crown, the least-known part ofour governance structures.

PROGRAM:The conference convened in the West

Block of the Parliament Buildings inOttawa the evening of Wednesday, June9, and all day Thursday, June 10, 2010.The presentations will appear on theweb site of the Institution of Inter govern -mental Relations at Queen’s Universityand may be published subsequently inbook form by the Institute through theMcGill-Queen’s University Press.

A full report on proceedings at theConference will appear in the Fall editionof CMN.

June 9-10,2010

Ottawa Conference Discusses MonarchyThe Crown in Canada: Present Realities and Future Options

Conference ProgramRoom 200, West Block, Parliament Buildings, OttawaWednesday evening, June 9from 5:30 p.m. Registration6 p.m. Reception, Buffet Supper7 p.m. Assessing the Canadian Crown: Perceptions, Realities, ChallengesChair: Senator Hugh SegalOpening Remarks: Hon.Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship,Immigration & MulticulturalismPresentation: Senator Serge Joyal The Crown and Prime MinisterialGovernment – La Couronne et un gouvernement par le Premier ministrePanel Discussion: Jonathan Malloy, Canadian Study of Parliament GroupDavid E. Smith, Universities of Saskatchewan and ReginaJennifer Smith, Dalhousie UniversityMichael Valpy, The Globe and Mail

Thursday, June 108 a.m. Continental BreakfastSpeaker: Christopher McCreery, Private Secretary to the LieutenantGovernor of Nova ScotiaThe Crown and Honours: Getting It Right9 – 10:30 a.m. David E. Smith, Universities of Saskatchewan and ReginaSession 1 The Crown and the Constitution: Sustaining Democracy?Discussants: Barry Cooper, University of CalgaryHon. Henry Jackman, former Lieutenant Governor of OntarioLori Turnbull, Dalhousie University10:45 – 12 Lynda Haverstock, former Lieutenant Governor ofSaskatchewan, andSession 2 Michael Jackson, University of ReginaThe Crown in the Provinces: Canada’s Compound MonarchyDiscussants: Peter Boyce, University of Tasmania, AustraliaBarry Cooper, University of Calgary12:15 p.m. Luncheon Speaker: Patrick Monahan, York UniversityThe Constitutional Role of the Governor General2 – 3:30 p.m. Peter Boyce, University of Tasmania, Australia, and Noel Cox,Auckland UniversitySession 3 of Technology, New ZealandThe Crown Down Under: Issues and Trends in Australia and New ZealandDiscussant: David E. Smith, Universities of Saskatchewan and Regina3:45 – 5 p.m. David Arnot, Chief Commissioner, Saskatchewan HumanRights CommissionSession 4 The Crown and the First Nations: Historical Reality, FuturePromiseDiscussant: Noel Cox, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand5:15 p.m. Conclusion Chair: Senator Lowell MurrayRapporteur: Rudyard GriffithsClosing Remarks: Senator Serge Joyal and Senator Hugh Segal6 – 7 p.m. Closing Reception

Sponsors:The conference is the inititative of “Friends of the Canadian Crown”, aninformal network of academics, practitioners and students of public policy,writers, and others wishing to see the institution of constitutional monarchybetter understood by Canadians. The organizing partner is the Institute ofIntergovernmental Relations at Queen’s University, Kingston. Co-sponsorsare the Canadian Study of Parliament Group based in Ottawa and theJohnson-Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy at the Universities ofSaskatchewan and Regina. Funding partners are the Walter & DuncanGordon Foundation, the Hon. Henry Jackman, and the Canadian BarAssociation.Hosts and co-chairs: Senator Serge Joyal and Senator Hugh SegalConference Secretary: Michael Jackson, University of ReginaAdvisory Committee:Paul Benoit, Ottawa; Rudyard Griffiths, Toronto; Christopher McCreery,Halifax; Senator Lowell Murray, Ottawa; David E. Smith, Universities ofSaskatchewan & Regina.

Popular former Saskatchewan LG LyndaHaverstock spoke at Conference

Senator Serge Joyal a Conference presenter

Prof Noel Cox, University of Auckland –chaired panel on The Crown and First Nations

Author of two seminal works on the CanadianCrown, Prof David E Smith participated

in the Conference

Former Ontario LG Hal Jackman – discussedCrown and Constitution

Follow the latest Vice-Regalactivities on the GovernorGeneral and LieutenantGovernors’ web pages,

all linked on theMonarchist League

web site

www.monarchist.ca/new/links.html


A Uniquely Canadian Crown?A proposal for re-thinking the Canadian Succession to the Throne

by Kevin Gillespie

[Kevin Gillespie was born and raisedin Lethbridge, Alberta, but moved toCalgary in 2003 to attend the Universityof Calgary, whence he graduated with aBA in the History and Philosophy ofScience. He plans graduate studies inConstitutional Law. A competitiveswimmer for the past 20 years, medalingseveral times nationally, Kevin helped theUofC Dinos to win their first NationalChampionship in over 10 years duringthe 2007-2008 season. He first becameinterested in the Monarchy at a youngage, and is a member of the MonarchistLeague of Canada.- Ed.]

In 1982, Canada patriated its constitu-tion, cutting its last formal ties with theUnited Kingdom. Canada’s constitutionalmonarchy, however, was not changed,and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth IIremained as Queen of Canada. The lineof succession to the Canadian Throne isidentical to that of the 15 other Com -mon wealth Realms (A CommonwealthRealm is an independent state within theCommonwealth of Nations that recog-nizes Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II asits monarch. There are currently 16Com monwealth Realms: Antigua andBarbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Bar -bados, Belize, Canada, Grenada, Jamaica,New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, SaintKitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vin -cent and the Grenadines, the Solo monIslands, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdomof Great Britain and Northern Ireland.),and although the Throne is occupied bythe same person, the position of Queenof Canada is a legally distinct and inde-pendent position from that of any othercountry. The succession of this sharedmonarchy is determined by male-prefer-ence primogeniture – meaning that maleheirs will always take precedence overfemales – and excludes Roman Catholics,along with those who are married to aRoman Catholic. Ob viously these out-dated laws are discriminatory to womenand Roman Catholics, and recently theissue of reforming the line of successionhas arisen in the United Kingdom. Theissue, however, is currently not pressing,as these laws do not have any direct con-sequences on the immediate line of suc-cession (vis. the Prince of Wales andPrince William). Eventually, however,these discriminatory laws will undoubt-edly affect a member of the immediateline of succession – the most likely sce-nario being the birth of an elder daugh-ter, followed by a younger son, in whichcase the daughter will be supplanted bythe male child in the line of successionfor the sole reason that she is female. It islikely that in the coming years there willbe growing pressure on all the govern-ments of the Common wealth Realms,including in Canada, to reform the lineof succession.

While it would make sense that thelaws concerning the line of successionshould eventually be changed in Canadain order to eliminate the discriminationmentioned above, I propose that Canada– with the goal of attaining its own exclu-sive monarchy in mind – should wait todo so until a number of criteria are met.Currently there seems to be a growingappetite among the CommonwealthRealms for succession reform, exempli-

fied by the recent remarks made by thethen- Prime Minister of the UnitedKingdom, Gordon Brown, in which hewas quoted as saying, “I think in the 21stcentury people do expect discriminationto be removed and they do expect us tobe looking at these issues.” As it seemslikely that succession reform will be onthe table in the near future, the first crite-rion that should be met before Canadaproceeds should be for all the otherCom monwealth Realms to change theirlaws regarding the line of succession.This would create an environment thatwould inevitably lead to the second crite-rion – an eventual split in the line of suc-cession between the Thrones of Canadaand the other 15 CommonwealthRealms. Lastly, Canada should wait untilthis split leads to the end of the sharedmonarchy, with an exclusively Canadianmonarch ascending the CanadianThrone.

I believe that the goal of a uniquelyCanadian Crown should be pursued fortwo reasons. Firstly, a split in the sharedmonarchy would ensure that Canadawould no longer be compelled to share anon-resident monarch with 15 other in -dependent countries. This would leavethe Canadian Monarch and Royal Familyfree to reside in Canada, and to concen-trate exclusively on representing Canadaat home and on the world stage. Second -ly, as any change in the line of successionwould require the consent of the Houseof Commons and the Senate, as well asevery single provincial legislature, doingnothing for the foreseeable future wouldbe the easiest and least expensive optionavailable when considering changing thelaws of succession.

In order for the goal of a uniquelyCan adian monarchy to be realised, thefirst thing that Canada should do is torefrain from making any changes to thelaws regarding the line of successionuntil every other Commonwealth Realmdoes so first. We are currently living in aworld that is becoming increasingly morepolitically correct and less tolerant of anysort of discrimination. The ancient lawsof succession to the Throne – an intricatemix of common law and legislation – areinarguably discriminatory to women andRoman Catholics. Vernon Bogdanor,author of The Monarchy and the Con sti -tu tion, explains that “The Crown des -cends on the same basis as the [ancientcommon law practice of the] inheritanceof land. This means that male heirs takeprecedence over female, with childrenrepresenting their deceased ancestors;and, under the rule of primogeniture, theolder son precedes the younger.” On thelegislative side, Anne Twomey explainsthat:

“The Bill of Rights and the Act ofSettle ment also state that any person whois in communion with the Church ofRome or who shall profess a Popish reli-gion or marry a Papist shall be excludedfrom inheriting the Crown or exercisingany regal power, authority or jurisdictionand shall be treated as dead for the pur-poses of succession to the throne.”

This blatant discrimination is alreadyon the verge of becoming a significantpolitical issue in various CommonwealthRealms. It was recently reported inNEWS. scotsman.com that Prime Min -ister Gordon Brown of the United

Kingdom had “indicated he would beraising the issue [of succession reform]with other Commonwealth leaders whenthey gather in November” for the Com -mon wealth Heads of Government Meet -ing. It will remain to be seen whether thiswill kick-start a move towards successionreform, but nevertheless, it seems appar-ent that there is significant popular sup-port for the idea. Anne Twomey reportsthat a recent BBC poll found that 89% ofpeople polled in the United Kingdomsupported equal rights for royal women,while 81% supported lifting the ban onmarrying a Catholic. It is likely that inthe coming years there will be an in -crease in public pressure to reform theline of succession.

There is, however, a debate regardingwhether or not a Commonwealth Realm– particularly the United Kingdom – canalter its laws of succession without everyother Realm doing the same. An extractfrom the “House of Commons LibraryResearch Paper 09/24 – 17 March, 2009”states that the “Statute of Westminster1931 appears to require the United King -dom to obtain the assent of all theParliaments in the Commonwealth be -fore altering the law of succession… al -though the precise nature of this require-ment is subject to some disagreement.”There is, however, significant evidence tosupport the position that there does notneed to be universal consent amongCommonwealth Realms in order for anyone Realm (or group of Realms) to alterits laws of succession. Peter Harry of theCommonwealth Institute writes:

It is highly debatable whether themembers of the Commonwealth wouldneed to ratify any alterations or reformsof the British monarchy. When there wasa referendum on the monarchy in Aus -tralia in November 1999 the Queen stat-ed that it was a matter entirely for theAustralians and kept out of the debatecompletely. Likewise, Britons would beentitled to expect the Commonwealthnations to refrain from interfering withBritish reforms of the monarchy.

‘There is also one significant prece-dent where unanimous consent amongthe Commonwealth Realms was notachieved regarding changes to the line ofsuccession. H. V. Hodson, author of The

Crown in the Commonwealth, explainsthat:

The critical occasion was, of course,the [Abdication crisis of 1936]. In everyDominion, and in Eire which was then aquasi-Dominion, as well as in the UnitedKingdom, [the Instrument of Ab dica -tion] was passed – but on different dates.It thus became a historical fact that for afew days different Kings were legallyreigning in different parts of theCommonwealth.

Succession reform is an inevitableissue that every Commonwealth Realmmust deal with eventually; Canadashould simply wait until all the othershave dealt with it first before attemptingto make any alterations of its own. Oncesuch a situation is achieved (and givenenough time I believe that it would be) itwould eventually lead to the second stepon the road to an exclusively Canadianmonarchy – a split in the line of succes-sion. The two areas of succession law thatare most likely to be changed in any sortof reform would undoubtedly be male-preference primogeniture and the ban onRoman Catholic monarchs (includingmarrying a Catholic). If the other Realmswere to reform the monarchy withoutCanada, a split in the line of successionwould eventually occur. There are sever-al ways that such a scenario could tran-spire: a split could occur by the conver-sion of someone in the direct line of suc-cession to Catholicism, or by the mar-riage of someone in the direct line of suc-cession to a Roman Catholic. The mostlikely scenario, however, would be thebirth of an elder daughter in the immedi-ate line of succession, followed by ayoung er son. In Canada, if reform hasnot taken place, the younger son wouldbe placed ahead of his older sister in theline of succession. If the other Common -wealth Realms have reformed their suc-cession laws, however, the older daughterwould remain ahead of her youngerbrother, and hence, a split would occurbetween the lines of succession ofCanada and the rest of the Common -wealth Realms.

Finally, the last step on the road to anexclusively Canadian monarchy wouldbe to simply wait until the Demise of theshared Crown. (The Demise of theCrown is the legal term for the end of areign by a king or queen, by death or byabdication.) After a split in the line ofsuccession has been engendered, itwould only be a matter of time beforedif ferent monarchs acceded to theThrones of Canada and the rest of theCommonwealth Realms. In the examplesuggested above, the elder daughterwould inherit the Thrones of the other 15Commonwealth Realms, while theyounger son would ascend the CanadianThrone. Such an eventuality is not with-out precedent, as the case of the King -dom of Hanover suggests:

Hanover had become connected with[the United Kingdom], because it wasruled by the Prince who, after the deathof Queen Anne, came to be Sovereign ofthis country. But the law of Hanover lim-ited the sovereignty to men, and there-fore, when Queen Victoria succeeded tothe throne of [the United Kingdom], shedid not become Queen of Hanover, butHanover passed over to her uncle, the

Kevin Gillespie – Calgary student advocatingchanges in Succession on guard for The Queen!



Duke of Cumberland, eldest survivingbrother of William IV.

When Queen Victoria was born a splitin the lines of succession between theUnited Kingdom and the Kingdom ofHanover was created, and upon the deathof King William IV, the shared monarchybetween the two countries ended. Justlike the case of Hanover, if the otherCommonwealth Realms were to reformthe laws of succession without Canada, asplit would eventually occur, and theshared monarchy (in relation to Canada)would come to an end. In the end,Canada would gain its own exclusivelyCanadian monarchy. Only after such asplit has occurred should Canada consid-er reforming its laws of succession.

It would be beneficial for Canada towork towards the goal of a uniquelyCanadian monarchy for a number of rea-sons. As was noted above, Canada cur-rently shares a monarch with 15 othercompletely independent nations. Thiscreates a situation where our Sovereigncannot focus solely on fulfilling herCanadian duties; she must also take intoaccount the wishes of her other Com -monwealth governments, splitting hercommitments accordingly. On top ofthat, the Monarchy is traditionally basedin England; it is, therefore, much morevisible in the United Kingdom than it isin Canada. If Canada were to acquire itsown monarchy the Sovereign and the restof the Canadian Royal Family would befree to focus exclusively on representingCanada at home and abroad. Canadawould no longer be compelled to shareits Monarch with 15 other countries. Inaddition, the Canadian Royal Familycould be based permanently in Canada,where it would be much more visible tothe Canadian population.

While I believe that Canada couldgreatly benefit from its own exclusivelyCanadian monarchy, there are also prac-tical reasons why Canada should refrainfrom reforming its laws of successionuntil – at least – after a split in the sharedmonarchy has been accomplished.According The Constitution Act, 1982:

“41. An amendment to the Con stitu -tion of Canada in relation to the follow-ing matters may be made by proclama-

tion issued by the Governor Generalunder the Great Seal of Canada onlywhere authorised by resolutions of theSenate and House of Commons and ofthe legislative assemblies of eachprovince.

(a) the office of the Queen, the Gover -nor General and the Lieutenant Gov -ernor of a province.”

In other words, reforming the laws ofsuccession in Canada would require aConstitutional Amendment with theunanimous support of the House ofCommons and the Senate, as well as the10 provincial legislatures. Such universalagreement between the provinces andthe Federal Government has proven to beelusive in the past (The two majorattempts at Constitutional reform sincepatriation – the Meech Lake Accord(1987) and the Charlottetown Accord(1992) – both failed.); any attempt toachieve this in regards to successionreform will undoubtedly prove to be aHerculean task. When considering re -forms to the line of succession, thecheapest and easiest option for Canada topursue would probably be to do nothing– at least for the foreseeable future. In theevent that succession reform becomes aserious political issue, it would be in thebest interest of Canada to just sit backand wait until all the other Common -wealth Realms deal with the problemfirst. Canadians could potentially savethe millions of dollars that it might costto try and amend the Constitution, alongwith valuable time and resources thatcould better be spent in other morepressing areas of concern – and by doingso Canada might just end up with its ownexclusive monarchy!

The practical reasons for not attempt-ing to change the laws of succession tothe Canadian Throne, when combinedwith the benefits that an exclusivelyCanadian Sovereign would accrue forCanada, generate a convincing argumentfor the acquisition of a uniquely Can -adian monarchy. In regards to successionreform, doing nothing for the foreseeablefuture would be the cheapest and mostpractical option available for Canada. Inaddition, having a Royal Family that isbased in Canada and no longer tied tothe other 15 Commonwealth Realms

would greatly increase its visibility inCanada, and would leave the RoyalFamily free to focus solely on represent-ing Canada at home and on the worldstage. The best way for Canada to achievethe goal of a uniquely Canadian Crown isby letting the other CommonwealthRealms proceed with succession reformwithout joining in itself. Eventually asplit in the direct lines of successionbetween Canada and the other Com -mon wealth Realms would occur, and anexclusively Canadian Monarchy wouldbe established in Canada.

Bibliography

Bogdanor, Vernon 1995. The Monarchy andthe Constitution, New York: Oxford Univer -sity Press.Hodson, H. V. “The Crown in the Common -wealth.” Parliamentary Affairs 4.1. 1950.Makarenko, Jay. “Canadian Government &the Monarchy. The Monarchy in Canada.2007. Mapleleafweb. 24 Nov. 2009 <http://www.mapleleafweb.com/features/monarchy-canada#canadian>.McCarthy, Justin 1882. Epochs of ModernHistory – The Epoch of Reform: 1830 – 1850,London: Spottiswoode and Co.Twomey, Anne 2009. The Australian Crowns– Changing the Rules of Succession, Sydney:University of Sydney.“Brown Pledges to Reform UK Succession tothe Throne.” News.scotsman.com. 27 Mar.2009.Constitution Act, 1982, being Schedule B tothe Canada Act 1982 (U.K.), 1982.“Extract from House of Commons LibraryResearch Paper 09/24 – 17 March, 2009.”Canadian Monarchist News Autumn 2009.“The Future of the Monarchy: The Report ofthe Fabian Commission.” 2003.“Succession.” The British Monarchy. 24 Nov.2009 <http://www.royal.gov.uk/ThecurrentRoyalFamily/Successionandprecedence/Succession/Overview.aspx>“Queen and Canada.” The British Monarchy.24 Nov. 2009 <http://www.royal.gov.uk/ Monarch AndCommonwealth/Canada/ Canada.aspx>“What is a Commonwealth Realm?” TheBritish Monarchy. 24 Nov. 2009 <http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchAndCommonwealth/QueenandCommonwealth/WhatisaCommonwealthRealm.aspx>

A UN IQUELY CANADIAN CROWN?continued from the previous page

by Michael Jackson, CVO, SOM, CDResearch Fellow, Canadian PlainsResearch CenterUniversity of Regina

Kevin Shea and John Jason WilsonLord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup(Bolton ON: Fenn Publishing CompanyLtd., 2006, 457 pp., hard-cover, $35)

This biography of Frederick ArthurStan ley, Lord Stanley of Preston (andlater 16th Earl of Derby), Canada’s sixthgovernor general, gets off to an unprom -is ing start. On page 2, the authors tell usthat “the principal role of the governorgeneral in Canada was to carry out theduties and wishes of the King or Queenof England; ergo, the governor generalwas Canada’s head of state, appointed bythe British monarch.” On page 6, we readthat the Derby family’s “descendantscame over with Richard the Conqueror”.On page 55, the new governor general issworn in “in the Scarlet Chamber of the

Senate”. Then on page 64 we are advisedthat “Canada’s High Commissioner re -sides at Earnscliffe” in Ottawa. Duringthe Northwest Rebellion, the Battle ofCut Knife Hill apparently occurred inManitoba (p. 144), not, as was actuallythe case, in present-day Saskatchewan.Constitutional and historical accuracy isnot the strong point of these authors!Also, the book is liberally sprinkled withmalapropisms and gaucheries – for ex -ample, on page 14, “At the risk of sound-ing cliché, Edward Geoffrey Stanley wasvery much in touch with the commonman”; or, after a quotation on p. 67,“punctuated Lord Hamilton”.

In fairness, Lord Stanley does improvethe further we delve into it. And it is, asthe authors tell us, “dedicated to everyhockey player whose dreams were fuelledby the hope of one day hoisting the Cupthat was so graciously provided by LordFrederick Arthur Stanley.” Former Gov -ernor General Adrienne Clarkson, who

contributed her own cup for (women’s)hockey, points out in a foreword that theStanley Cup was one of the first awardsfor excellence in the name of a governorgeneral. If the authors had concentratedon telling the story of the Stanley Cupand the vice-regal connection withCanadian hockey in a shorter volume, itwould have been a more manageableundertaking and had a greater impact. Asit is, they risk venturing into the 19thcentury social and political history of theUnited Kingdom in chapters one and twoand that of Canada in much of the rest ofthe book. The results are predictablymixed.

In the first two chapters, Shea andWilson tell us something of Stanley’sfamily history and the political context inwhich the Derbys played prominent roles– Stanley’s father, the 14th Earl, was threetimes Prime Minister of the UK. Thesechapters would have benefited from edit-ing to clarify the main issues and disen-

Lord Stanley of Preston,garbed as Lord Mayor of Liverpool

BOOK REVIEW

gage them from historical details notfamiliar to the average Canadian reader.They do, however, give us an idea of thebackground from which Canada’s sixthgovernor general emerged. FrederickStanley shared his family’s passion forhorse-racing and developed an interestin sports at a time when athletic endeav-ours were increasingly seen as key todeveloping character in those called tolead the Empire – and promoting “mus-cular Christianity”.

Thus, when Frederick Stanley wasnamed governor general in 1888 at therelatively young age of 47, his attitudetowards sports was already well formedand was to result in his prime legacy toCanada. However, he was also involvedin a number of key political and diplo-matic issues during his time in the Can -adian vice-regal office. He got onextremely well with Prime Minister SirJohn A. Macdonald and became his con-fidant (one wishes that this practicecould be revived with modern-day gov-ernors general and first ministers, butthat is probably a pipe-dream). His firstbrush with domestic political controver-sy, in 1889, was over pressure to disallowthe Quebec Jesuit Estates Act of the previ-ous year. Stanley firmly and wisely sup-ported the prime minister in his refusalto do so. Say the authors (p. 87), “it wasthe sort of decision that one might expectfrom Stanley: fair and politically sound.It ignored the raging and radical Orangevoice and solidified the non-political rolethat had been envisioned for the office ofthe governor general from the first.”

Lord Stanley also took a keen interestin defence matters. He had served in theGrenadier Guards for seven years and hisson Edward was an officer in the regi-ment. Stanley was not impressed withCanada’s militia and the state of its de -fences and constantly pressured Mac -donald to do something about it. Warwith the United States was still consid-ered a possibility and the last British gar-rison had been withdrawn in 1871. Giventhe dominant British influence at thetime, it is not surprising that sports and“muscular Christianity” were viewed as away to remedy a “Crisis in Masculinity”(the title of chapter six) in Canada too.

Indeed, threats from south of the bor-der were not idle ones in Stanley’s time.In 1888 and 1889, the Americans didmuch sabre-rattling over sealing rights inthe Bering Sea and fishing rights every-where, to the point of repeatedly seizingCanadian sealing vessels. Since Britainwas still responsible for Canada’s foreignrelations, the British minister in Wash -

ing ton was key to negotiations andStanley had a role to play in pressuringthe British government to be firm. Likemany of the governors general from theUK, he rapidly became “Canadianized”(“Canadianization of the Crown” is notjust a recent phenomenon) and took upthe Canadian cause wholeheartedly. Hewas frustrated by British willingness tosacrifice Canada’s best interests in favourof improved UK-US relations.

A large part of this book is taken up bydescriptions of Lord and Lady Stanley’stravels across Canada. Their first visit toToronto in 1888 is chronicled in detail,especially their tour of the Toronto In -dustrial Exhibition, where they were fas-cinated by the burgeoning technology ofthe day – electric lighting, streetcars andthe Edison phonograph (the authors notethe inconclusive debate over whetherStanley actually recorded his voice onthis occasion). In the fall of 1889, theStanleys embarked on a two-month tripby train across western Canada, as far asthe Pacific. It is on this trip that Con s -tance, Lady Stanley, comes to the fore-front as she records her impressions inher diary. The Stanleys’ daughter-in-law,Alice, married to their son Edward, con-tributed to the chronicling of Canadianhistory by her enthusiasm for photogra-phy with the newly-invented Kodak boxcamera.

A number of anecdotes enliven thenarration, including occasional acerbiccomments on local society by Constance.However, the chapter is burdened by alengthy and probably redundant recapit-ulation of the history of western Canadaand by excessive detail of the various re -ceptions attended by the vice-regal party.In fact, the prolonged descriptions ofthese social events are one of the draw-backs of the book. Still, we get someinteresting vignettes on prairie life in the1880s: early agriculture in southern

Assiniboia (now Saskatchewan), huntingat Long Lake near Regina, a pow-wow atan Indian reserve near Lethbridge andother First Nations events, including onewith the famous Blackfoot Chief Crow -foot, a visit to a huge ranch is present-dayAlberta, meetings with the North-WestMounted Police, receiving a Mormondelegation. Going through the moun-tains, Lady Constance rides part of theway on the cowcatcher of the locomotive,this being well before the days of safetyconcerns and liability insurance.

The Stanleys’ visit to British Columbiais one of the more engaging parts of thebook. We see the governor general dedi-cating what will be one of Vancouver’sfinest assets: Stanley Park. The sojourn inVictoria is replete with excruciatingdetail about the various balls and callsand receptions for the vice-regal coupleand their party. Then, in the chapter,“Narrow Escape from a Watery Grave”,we have the dramatic story of how on theparty’s return to Vancouver their ship,HMS Amphion, ran onto a reef and wasin danger of sinking. The warship limpedback to Esquimalt, where “the shakenGovernor General and his party” werehoused at a hotel until they could findanother ship to resume their itinerary onthe mainland.

Vice-regal visits to other parts of Can -ada – Quebec, Montreal, Ontario, theMaritimes – are also chronicled, some -times again in too much detail. But thecore of this book is, rightly, the story ofhockey and the Stanley Cup. In 1888,hockey had yet to achieve its legendarystatus in the Canadian mentality; Fred -erick Stanley and his family and staffplayed a very significant part in making itso. Since the 1870s Rideau Hall hadboasted tobogganing, a skating rink andcurling. Then, “after attending a hockeygame during the Montreal Winter Carn -ival in February 1889, the Stanley familyenthusiastically embraced the new sport”(p. 359) and quickly organized teams atRideau Hall for both men and women(the first recorded women’s hockey gametook place there). The “Rideau Rebels”team included Stanley’s three sons andhis aides-de-camp and soon became amajor force in the emerging hockeyworld of Ontario and Quebec, travellingfor games in Toronto and Montreal aswell as smaller towns. Frus trated by thelack of organization in hockey, Stanley’sson Arthur, a natural athlete and leader,instigated leagues and championships,leading to the establishment of theOntario Hockey Association in 1891,complementing the existing AmateurHockey Association of Canada.

In the chapter, “Birth of the StanleyCup”, the authors recount how Lord Stan -ley encouraged the development of hock-ey by attending games, hosting partiesfor players and spectators, and serving aspatron of the Ontario Hockey Associa -tion. At a “raucous and ribald” banquetheld by the Ottawa Hockey Club inMarch 1892, a letter from the governorgeneral was read in which he offered todonate “a challenge cup which should beheld from year to year by the championhockey team in the Dominion.” Thus wasborn the world-famous Stanley Cup.Later that year, a former secretary toLord Stanley, Captain Charles Colville,who had returned to England, was com-missioned to purchase the cup, which hedid at the shop of George RichmondCollis & Company in London’s Regent

Street, Shea and Wilson tell us,Captain Colville selected a silver bowl

lined with a gold-gilt interior. At tenguineas, the price tag was roughly equiv-alent to fifty Canadian dollars; in today’sdollars, however, the price would bebetween $5,500 and $8,900 […] Standingeighteen and a half centimetres (or aboutseven and a quarter inches) tall andtwenty-nine centimetres (about elevenand a half inches) in diameter, under theengraved legend “From Stanley ofPreston” is the Stanley family crest, con-sisting of “the eagle and child”. (p. 372)

Lord Stanley invited two Ottawa busi-nessmen to administer the trophy, Dr.John Sweetland and Philip Ross, afounder of the Ontario Hockey Associa -tion. Ross was to remain a trustee of theStanley Cup until 1946 when, at the ageof 88, he finally appointed a successor.The cup was presented for the first timein March 1893 by Dr. Sweet to theMontreal Amateur Athletic Associa tion,whose team defeated the Ottawa HockeyClub to become the Canadian champi-ons.

Frederick Stanley’s older brother,Edward, 15th Earl of Derby, died in April1893 without heirs, meaning that Fred -erick succeeded to the earldom. His fiveyears as governor general were nearly upin any case, and the Stanleys returned toEngland and their estate of Knowsley inJuly. The last two chapters of the bookrecount, reasonably succinctly, the re -mainder of Lord Stanley’s life, duringwhich he promoted Canada and hockey– even arranging informal games withmembers of the Royal Family on thefrozen pond in the gardens of Bucking -ham Palace. He died in 1908 at the age of67; Constance died in 1922 at the age of82. Frederick was succeeded as 17th Earlby his eldest son Edward, he who hadbeen a star player with the “RideauRebels” hockey team. An Epilogue tellsthe story of the Stanley Cup since thedeparture from Canada of its donor; thiswill be appreciated by hockey fans.Lord Stanley: The Man Behind the Cup

is an uneven book. It has patches of awk-ward writing, errors of fact, overly ambi-tious efforts to deal with British andCanadian history and politics, and bur-densome passages detailing vice-regaltravels and engagements. On the otherhand, it does give some interestinginsights into the role of the governor gen-eral in Canada’s political life and its rela-tions with the United States between1888 and 1893. Frederick, Lord Stanley,has tended to be minimized as governor

general by historians. He emerges fromthis book with his reputation enhanced,notably his diplomatic skills. His greatestlegacy, of course, remains his contribu-tion to Canada’s national winter sport. Asthe authors say (p. 50), “when the vice-regal party gave its endorsement to hock-ey, Canadians took notice. With theblessing of the Queen’s representative,hockey rose from a child’s game to anessential pastime that transcends everycommunity of the entire nation. This, inand of itself, is of great historical and cul-tural significance.”


Stanley visited the Toronto IndustrialExhibition of 1888, a precursor to the CNE,and was fascinated by new technology - street-cars and electric light!

Blackfoot, famed chief of the Crowfoot Nation,whom Stanley visited when Governor General

The Rideau Hall Rebels: Stanley’s sons Arthur (second from l.) and Edward (seated beneath him)caught the hockey bug while in Canada.

BOOK REV IEW. . . LORD STANLEY

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crats a thorough and pro-monarchicalguide to Canadian Citzenship for ourprospective new fellow subjects, entitledDiscover Canada.

MACE to the organizers of the so-called Royal Nova Scotia Inter na -

tional Tattoo. Clearly, whatever its name,the Tattoo organizers do not include HerMajesty The Queen amongst their prior-ities, informing the Palace in a letterobtained by The Globe and Mail onMarch 31 that “Her Majesty proceedingthrough the finale would be highly un -usual and disruptive to the productionand not in keeping with the objectives ofthe Tattoo.” Incredible! Allegedly theirworry centered on HM’s ability to climbstairs to the raised platform – which ledThe Daily Telegraph to remind an Britishpublic, incredulous at the rudenessshown the Sovereign, that The Queenfinds no difficulty at all in handling the47 steps of the Grand Staircase at Buck -ingham Palace, as indeed her Mother thelate Queen Mother had found no prob-lems with opening the Tattoo in 1979. Ifnot out of loyalty and respect, one mightthink the sheer commercial advantage ofa Monarch’s visit would have appealed tothe dullard correspondents before theywrote in such terms. Maybe they shouldconsider folding up their tents and drop-ping the “Royal” appellation graciouslygranted them by The Queen in 2006Apparently they suffer from short mem-ories and little gratitude. A more appro-priate name might be “a royal mess”!

CROWN to Julie Rocheleau, the affa-ble media officer at Rideau Hall. On

being notified by the Monarchist LeagueSecretariat that an April 29 press releasehad omitted the lifetime honorific whenreferring to the distinguished formerLieutenant Gover nor of New Bruns wick,the Hon. Herménégilde Chiasson, shepromptly rectified the error. Well done –if Rideau Hall gets it right, others will fol-low!

MACE to the Vancouver Sun. In anApril 24th article by Thandi Fletcher

commenting on the role and upcomingappointment of the Governor General,we are told that the GG “is the represen-

tative of The Queen of England.” Laterreaders are informed about Rideau Hallwhere “two uniformed men, resemblingthe Queen of England’s guards at Buck -ingham Palace, guard its front entrance.”

CROWN to a loyal MonarchistLeague member and his colleague,

both unnamed, who were stewards atThe Seniors’ Games for British Col um -bia, held in Richmond in early Sept -ember. The steering committee gatheredthe stewards for a briefing, when theywere told that “by popular vote” theRoyal Anthem would not be sung. Onesteward protested at this slighting of theQueen. The member of the MonarchistLeague concurred. The Chairman said“We’ll put it to the vote”. The vote wasreturned nem con (without opposition)and so GSTQ was sung at the beginningof the Seniors’ Games. By such small yetdetermined actions the fabric of loyalty iswoven tight in this land!

CROWN to RussellBrand for saluting

Canada’s retaining theMonarchy during theGrammy Awards RedCarpet Special whichaired on January 31.The dialogue betweenthe Eng lish comedianand film actor and ETCanada host CherylHickey went as follows:Hickey: We are here

with Russell Brand. Congratulations, bythe way!Brand: Con gratu la tions to you for stay-ing in the Com mon wealth![ET Canada Host] Rick Campanelli:Yeah!Hickey: Well, thank you!Brand: Her Majesty the Queen! (Salutes)Campanelli: What else do you like aboutCanada, Russell?Brand: I like Trey Parker and Matt Stone,creators of South Park. I like Dan Ayk -royd. I like Jim Carrey. I like ice hockey. Ilike maple leaves. I like the French bit ofit, and the English bit of it... Canada isone of my favourite countries.


CROWN to our Queen – God BlessHer! – for once again identifying her -

self as a Canadian who shares in the livesof her fellow Canadians. In the openingwords of HM’s Vimy Day messagereflecting on the passing of the final vet-eran of the Great War, our Monarchwrote “As proud and grateful Canadians,we pause today...”

CROWN to Prime Minister StephenHarper for resuming the recently-

often-broken Canadian tradition of men-

tioning The Queen in the Speech fromthe Throne. In the Speech opening theThird Session of Canada’s 40th Parlia -ment on March 3, The Governor Generallooked forward to 2012, stating, “Thatyear Canadians will also celebrate the60th anniversary of the accession of HerMajesty Queen Eliza beth II, Queen ofCan ada, and our Government has estab-lished a Diamond Jubilee Committee toprepare for this historic occasion.” Re fer -ring to 2010, the Speech stated it was “ayear in which Her Majesty Queen Eliz -abeth II will celebrate Canada Day withCanadians.”

A further CROWN to our loyalPrime Minister. In his welcome to

The Prince of Wales and Duchess ofCornwall at the start of their Novembertour, Mr Harper stated that “Given ourdeep devotion to members of the RoyalFamily, and their devotion to Canada,these visits are regarded as ‘homecom-ings’ by Canadians.” It is a happy thing tofind the PM adopting monarchist nom -enclature to emphasize the bond of affec-tion between Canadians and the RoyalFamily.

And yet a third CROWN (we fear aless modest man might assume we

are resurrecting for him the old triplecrown of the Papacy!) to the PM for hisimaginative gift of making PrincesWilliam and Harry Honorary CanadianRangers. May this be a precursor of theirsoon being encouraged by his govern-ment to get to know Canada in the sameway as they have become familiar with

the African and Antipodean parts of theCommonwealth.

CROWN to Newfoundland & Lab -rador Lieutenant Governor John

Crosbie. Criticism of His Honour’s ap -pointment as too evidently “political” hasfast disappeared by the dignity andenthusiasm with which he and MmeFurneaux Crosbie have tackled theirresponsibilities in the Province, proving,as did nearly all of M. Chrétien’s vice-regal appointees, that this special and

direct service to Sovereign and commu-nity quickly overcomes even the mostpartisan warrior, in whose ranks MrCrosbie certainly had been numbered!We were particularly struck by the happysight of strong and demonstrative publicsinging of two verses of “the Ode toNewfoundland” at the Special Con voca -tion at MUN after the Princess Royal hadspoken so eloquently of the particularfoundation of this reputed institution –when we observed His Honour joining inwithout need for a word sheet. We doubtthere is any other province – other thanQuebec, where the lyrics would not nec-essarily be of a nature to allow a vice-regal to participate – where a song of aspecial provincial character is known andsung in public with such evident feeling.

MACE to Quebec Premier JeanCharest. The normally-moderate

Premier publicly criticized the Lieu ten -ant Governor’s use of “Royal Pri vil ege” torefuse to appear before a National As -sembly committee investigating vice-regal expenses. During a trade mission toIndia, he told reporters that “he shouldbow to the committee’s request.” WhileM. Charest’s advice may have been pru-dent in the political sense – some Que -beckers still make a meal of the allegedover-spending by M. Duchesne’s prede-cessor – it should have been tendered tothe Governor in person and on a confi-dential basis. M. Duchesne, himself a for-mer legislative official, is well aware ofthe mischief made by separatist MNA’swhenever vice-regal expenses are exam-ined, no matter how minutely explained;and quite likely His Honour calculatedthe dignity of his Office suggested hisPrivate Secretary should appear in hisstead.

CROWN toHon Jason

Ken ney, Canada’sCitzenship & Im -mi gra tion Min -ister, for shep-herding throughthe treacherousrepublican watersof Ottawa bur eau -

CROWNS & MACESQueen self-identifies as Canadian... Harper gets triple crown!... Crosbie doing great in NL... Charest mistreats Quebec LG...

Kenney knows what citizenship means... Halifax Tattoo anything but “royal”... Rideau Hall media officer shines... Vancouver Sun errs...Seniors Games in BC sing Royal Anthem – but almost didn’t... Russell Brand a monarchist...

Loyal Prime Minister received byCanada’s Sovereign

Throne Speech contained two referencesto Canada’s Queen

NL Lt-Gov John Crosbie being dubbed a Knightof the Most Venerable Order of St John of Jeru -salem

Russell Brand –who says monar-chists aren’t adiverse lot?

Give Kiwi Republicans A HugMonarchy New Zealand (formerly the Monarchist League of New Zealand)

announced a light-hearted gesture of national unity when its Chairman, NoelCox, designated May 4 as “Hug a Republican Day.” Calling it “a rough year forrepublicans,” Professor Cox traced a string of monarchical successes rangingfrom the restoration of traditional Honours and the designation QC to the suc-cessful visits of Prince William and the Earl of Wessex and the defeat of aPrivate Member’s republican bill. The media release conculded, “ It’s not sur-prising that republicans appear downcast, frequently negative, and out of touchwith modern New Zealand and the Kiwi mood in general. In a lighthearted ges-ture, Monarchy New Zealand calls on Kiwis to try to find a republican or twoand give them a hug.”

New Zealanders Support the Crown – pollNothing daunted by a biased question referring to the current New Zealand

Sovereign as “Queen of England” [does this antic by pollsters sound familiar toCanadians? Ed.] a February Research New Zealand poll indicated that citizensopposed the Islands Realm becoming a republic by 53-32%.

NEWS fromthe ANTIPODES


THE CONSCIENCEOF THE NATION

We are not always enamoured ofRideau Hall. But we feel no hesitation atall in affirming with respect the movingand entirely appropriate role played bythe Governor General in rousingCanadians to concern about the pitiablesituation of the people of Haiti followingthe devastating earthquake in January.Mr Harper and Mme Jean have had theirmoments; but it was right and kind forthe Prime Minister to invite the GG tothe operational briefing on the crisis; andit was constitutional, too – an unusualway for acknowledging the Crown’s rightto be informed, to be sure – but one thatshowed the ceremonial and politicalsides of the executive in complete har-mony; and also one that must have givencomfort to Mme Jean, personally torn bythe lack of knowledge of the fate of fami-ly members and friends.

Her press briefing later the same daybrought her to tears – “gracious tears” asthe Bard would have called them – andan intensity of feeling which, we feel cer-tain, stirred many Canadians watchingthe evening news to consider digging alittle deeper into their pockets towardsthe relief of innocent sufferers, admiringas we did Mme Jean’s deflection of ques-tions as to the fate of people she knew –“It’s not about me” – in favour of focusingon the general situation.

We know that there has been some illfeeling between Government House andRideau Hall over Mme Jean’s practice ofsummoning individual Ministers to briefher on their departments; so it is themore praiseworthy and sensitive ofDefence Minister MacKay to have stayedin touch with Her Excellency until thewee hours of the night to make sure shereceived the latest information out ofHaiti. Canadians like to see that suchkindness and consideration for the feel-ings of others can still worm its way intothe charged halls of Ottawa.

There will be ample time to judge theoverall tenure of Michaëlle Jean. But inthe last months of her time at RideauHall she rose to face a difficult situation,so affirming the potency of the Crown’sduty to hold in trust what she so well per-sonified, the conscience of the nation.

“HUG A REPUBLICAN DAY”– CANADIAN STYLE?

No doubt out of genuine concern,tongues firmly planted in their consider-able cheek, our Kiwi Monarchist Leaguefriends have declared “Hug a RepublicanDay” to celebrate the string of positivenews about the New Zealand Monarchy,and to console republicans who may befeeling a trifle discouraged. Question is:would a similar day gain much tractionin Canada? A pro-monarchist govern-ment in Ottawa, a beloved Sovereignsoon to be with her people, rumours of“Royal” being restored to the CanadianNavy, Canada Post churning out defini-tives of The Queen without annualpause, and – have you noticed? – lots oftalk about who should be the nextGovernor General but virtually noneabout whether there should be one! Ohyes, and the republicans being forced topay costs for their failed application toinstitute a class action in respect of theoath-taking provisions of the CitizenshipAct. It may indeed have been a mild win-ter, but Canadian republicans surely arefeeling blue. Hence the question, would ahug bring them, or any of them, underthe big, inclusive, dare-we-say “embrac-ing” tent of the Canadian Crown? Or as aformer GG put it rather more eloquently,would such a gesture help the surelydesirable process of “the AboriginalCircle widening to include us all”?

Alas, we have our doubts. To begin,republicans are rather thin on theground. A demonstration mounted eachVictoria Day at Queen’s Park, site ofOntario’s Legislature, usually produces abevy of media and less than a dozenadherents willing to give up the pleasuresof May 2-4 for their convictions. They areoften led by Charlie Roach, plaintiff inthe class action mentioned above, anddoughty campaigner for his cause.Charlie is a genuinely warm person, emi-nently huggable. Not a Canadian citizen– he won’t take the oath – he could behugged for following his convictions, forhe is the sort of guy you wouldn’t mindsharing a brew with and, possibly per-suading him of the error of his ways in acentury or three. But after that, ourdesire to embrace rather shrinks. TomFreda is quite chill – doesn’t strike us as ahugging sort. John Manley always man-aged to look rather stiff, maybe becausedeep down he felt awkward about pro-posing a Canadian republic while he wasin London for Diana’s funeral, and againjust before The Queen arrived here for ahomecoming. Think he would run fromour clutches. Jeff Simpson? No, thefourth estate far too grand for homelyhugs. Pat Martin, the Winnipeg MP whohound-dogged Mme Clarkson? Well,perhaps he has Parliamentary Immunity

from our grand gesture. Who does thatleave? Hardly anyone.

No, as much as we might love to imi-tate the brilliant innovation of ourAntipodean cousins, they came up withthe idea first, and their hugs may in factreflect a tactile echo of their Australianneighbours’ “mateyness” wafted by thezephyrs across the Tasman Sea to NewZealand. So, alas, our outreach to repub-licans will rest with the tried and true –media, website, Twitter, Facebook, mes-sage board, blog, pamphlets and the like.But if we see a few of them, cold andlonely amidst the inevitable downpour atour local Victoria Day celebration, may -be we could Canadianize the MonarchyNew Zealand approach, go to our nearestTim Horton’s and buy them a small butmeaningful cup of coffee: the warmingall-Canadian hug equivalent, restrainingourselves from saying “Support ourQueen, have some caffeine.” Poor poetryanyway....

WHERE’S WILLIAM?It is gratifying to view television and

newspaper reports showing the aplombwith which Prince William handled hisfirst official visit on behalf of The Queen,to New Zealand, followed by an unoffi-cial trip to Australia; of the crowds greet-ing him wherever he went and of the sig-nificant support polls reveal he brings tothe institution of Monarchy in those free-spirited island Realms which might oth-erwise become republics at the end of thepresent reign. But it is disquieting to real-ize, as we read that William remarkedhow he hopes to return in 2011 for theRugby World Cup, that the current touralready marked his third trip to NewZealand and second to Australia. By con-trast, Canadians have seen him on oursoil, but once, for a single day of engage-ments with his father and brother beforea private skiing holiday in Whistler – andthat over 12 years ago!

If Clarence House is serious in stakingWilliam’s claim to the Throne, it shouldhave had Canada in its sights from thebeginning of the Prince’s Gap years. Thatspecial opportunity for William to livehere for some months with little mediabother has now passed. But surely, thecombination of a pro-monarchical gov-ernment in Ottawa, and some seriousthought in Palace circles for the MapleRealm which his mother and grand-mother loved so conspicuously well, willsuggest that the stars are now wellaligned for William to “visit” Canada,and to then return for frequent home-comings; for him to make Canadianfriends, get to know the country well andadopt some of our concerns as his andvice versa . Given the apparent pre-dispo-sition of Royal super-stars to enjoy theAntipodes, and indeed many other desti-

nations around the world for holidaysand for their good works, it is amazingthat Canada has not flirted more serious-ly with republicanism in this self-cen-tered age where so often out of media“sight” means out of mind, save for themindlessness of tabloid “reporting”.Might our loyalty no longer be taken forgranted, and even rewarded? The Queenknows the score here, and should have aword where it might do some good.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Governor General attends operational briefingon Haiti with the Prime Minister, Ministersand government and military officials

12 years have passed since Prince Williamset foot in Canada

The Canadian way to showlove to a republican?

“Support our Queen; have some caffeine”

ONTARIOSUPERIOR COURTRULES AGAINSTREPUBLICANS

Awards Costs against Roachet al. seeking class actionre: Oath of Citizenship

In a ruling that followed an appealhearing by only two weeks, Dec em ber4th found a panel of three Ontariojudges confirming once again thatprominent republican activist CharlieRoach’s suit against the Attorney-General of Canada and applicationfor a Class Action to be instituted onthe basis of the unconstitutionality ofthe Canadian Citi zen ship Act lackedany merit. Roach had sought, interalia, a declaration that the Act’s re -quirement for an Oath of Allegianceto The Queen violated Charter rights,or in the alternative, that class mem-bers could be exempt from taking theOath; an injunction preventing thefederal gov ern ment from withholdinga Citi zen ship certificate from thosewho refused to take the Oath; and anaward of $10,000 exemplary and sym-bolic damages for each class member.

In their Opinion, J. Wilson, Leder -man and Swinton, JJ, held that therelief sought by the plaintiffs couldbetter be obtained through an appli-cation for an individual declarationrather than by means of a class action,“with the costs and delays associated,”and moreover that the opting-outpro cedure inherent in such actionswould be “singularly inappropriate” inthis instance. The learned Judges wenton to point out that the decision of theMotions Court Judge – who hadheard Roach’s original application –“was entitled to substantial deferencegiven the special expertise developedby judges hearing such motions.” Nordid they find any palpable error in theMotions Judge’s denial of the applica-tion.

In a fairly pointed rebuke to Roachwhich formed the final paragraph oftheir decision, the Court wrote, “Theappeal is dismissed. As this appeal isthe second occasion in which theissues have been visited, the respon-dent, having been successful, is enti-tled to costs. In the circumstances, wefix the respondent’s costs at $5,000 allin clusive, payable by the appellant.”

Legal observers noted with someirony that the effect of this ruling wasthat the coffers of Her Majesty TheQueen in Right of Canada would beenriched by $5,000 – courtesy of oneof Canada’s most ardent republicans!


LONDON, April 27 –A new portrait of TheQueen was unveiledtoday, depicting HM insubdued colours andwearing a simplecream dress. RupertAlexander, 35, is saidto be the youngest per-son to paint a Sov er -eign in 400 years. Thework was commission -ed along with paint-ings of the Duke of

Edinburgh and Prince of Wales by the Royal WarrantHolders Association. Alexander was originally sched-uled to have three sittings over a four-month period,but Royal diary pressures resulted in his having to wait18 months before he could finish his work! During oneof the sittings at Buckingham Palace The Queen spokeof Alexander’s Great-Uncle, who had been a pressattaché to Lord Mountbatten when he served as Vice -roy of India.

ST JOHN’S, April 23-24 – Anne, the Princess Royal,touched down in Newfoundland for a brief RoyalHome coming originally designed to include engage-ments in Nova Scotia, as well. However, the Icelandicvolcano ash had disrupted flights from London, and sowith great reluctance the Princess had to cancel thatportion of her trip, designed to celebrate the 50thAnniver sary of the Canadian Forces Medical Service,of which she is Colonel-in-Chief. A packed schedule inNewfound land saw Her Royal Highness receive anhonorary degree from Memorial Univer sity of New -found land and address Convocation, present GoldDuke of Edinburgh Awards, attend ANZAC Day cere-monies at Camp Pleasantville on the anniversary of theGallipoli landings (the Royal Newfoundland Regimentwas the only N. American military unit to do battlethere) – and then undertake further engagements onbehalf of the Regiment, presenting new Colours as itcelebrated its 215th Anniversary, calling its currenttroops “worthy heirs to all who served before them.”Before returning to London on Sunday afternoon,HRH attended Matins at the Anglican Cathedral, fol-lowed by a wreath-laying ceremony and visit with vet-erans of recent Canadian overseas deployments.

OTTAWA: April 17 – The CanadaGazette published the resignationfrom the Order of Canada of FrankChauvin. A Windsor, ON, policedetective who founded the Foyerdes Filles de Dieu orphanage inHaiti, Chauvin is the sixth personto return his Insignia because ofthe decision of the AdvisoryCouncil and Governor General toappoint abortion-provider DrHenry Morgentaler to the Order.At the time, Chauvin told the

Windsor Star that he did not want to be tarred with thesame brush as Morgentaler, and that he wantedCanadians to “have a chance to take a close look atwhat can happen when an advisory council abandons aconsensus model and uses the award to advance ahighly divisive view, in this case the tragedy of abortionin Canada.” Previously, on January 9th, two other res-ignations were announced: those of Université deMontréal Professor Renato Bosisio and of Fr LucienLarré, who had been honoured in 1983 for his workwith the Bosco Centres for emotionally disturbed andaddicted adolescents.

BUCKINGHAM PALACE, April 9 – The Queen sent amessage to Canadians on Vimy Day:

Message from Her Majesty The QueenAs proud and grateful Canadians, we pause todayto mark not only the ninety-third anniversary ofthis Nation’s victory at Vimy Ridge but also to paytribute to the passing of a truly remarkable gener-ation who helped to end the most terrible conflictthe world had ever known. These gallant men andwomen went off to Europe to fight in what wasoften considered to be “the war to end all wars”; todefend the principles of peace, freedom and justicefor their Country and, indeed, for all mankind.Theirs was a story of unspeakable horror, unmiti-gated heroism and – ultimately – of inspiring vic-tory. This tremendous sacrifice can rightly beregarded as a defining moment in the history ofCanada and is one which we will never forget. Andnow, they are gone –and all Canadians mourn ourcollective loss. Yet they will remain forever etchedin the hearts of a grateful people and on the pagesof our history as symbols of service, honour anddedication. In our minds and in our hearts always,we will remember them.

ELIZABETH R

EDMONTON, April 8 –Colonel Donald Ethell wasappointed Alberta’s Lieu ten -ant Governor in successionto Hon Norman Kwong. Amember of the AlbertaOrder of Excellence, ColonelEthell had a long record ofservice in global peacekeep-ing operations, after whichhe served as Deputy Com -mand er of Multi nationalForces in the first Gulf War,

followed by a tour of duty in the war-torn formerYugoslavia. In an nouncing the appointment, the PrimeMinister stated that “Colonel Ethell has had a distin-guished career in the Canadian Armed Forces and as ahumanitarian. He is one of Canada’s most decoratedsoldiers as well as a champion for veterans and the wel-fare of those in the world’s most vulnerable nations.”

SYDNEY, April 1 – Australian media revealed thatPrince William would use his good offices to assist

Aboriginal Elders to retrieve theskull of the warrior Pemulwuy.Shot for waging war against set-tlers, his head had subsequentlybeen decaptitated and sent to Eng -land. Elders had originally appris -ed William during his recentAustralian tour of their desire tobury the remains on their ancestralhomelands, but told the SydneyMorning Herald that they werenonetheless surprised when theyreceived a letter from the Prince’sPrivate Secretary pledging assis-

tance “to do all he could” to undertake “this supremelyimportant search.” Though the skull may have beendestroyed in wartime, during the bombing of the RoyalCollege of Surgeons where it is thought to havereposed, Elder Mick Mundine said that Williams’ reac-tion “showed what sort of a man this Prince Williamcould be... He is such a respectful young man... he hasgot the heart and spirit of his mother and he hasshowed it.”

RIDEAU HALL, March 30 – The Governor Generalwas the first to sign a Book of Reflection at Govern -ment House, allowing Canadians to pay tribute to thecountry’s World War I veterans, the last of whom –John Babcock – had died on February 18th. Her Ex -cellency subsequently participated in a NationalCeremony of Remembrance, held at the National WarMemorial on April 9th.

KABUL, March 23-25 – The Prince of Wales spent twodays visiting NATO troops in Afghanistan at a varietyof military bases. Wearing an armoured jacket and hel-met over his camouflage uniform, Charles spoke of his“incredible pride” in the soldiers, and paid tribute to“wonderful support” of their families at home: “As aparent, you worry the whole time,” he observed, “...ifyou’re out here, you’re getting on with everything...butfor everyone left behind it’s ghastly.” The Prince’s sec-ond son, Prince Harry, had been on active service inAghanistan until media blew his cover – but reportssuggest he may soon be returning for another tour ofduty.

AUSTRALIA HOUSE, February 19 – The Queen visit-ed Australia House in London to mark the 100thAnniversary of Australian diplomatic representation inLondon. John Dauth, High Commissioner, remindedHM that she had reigned for 58% of that time, whileForeign Minister Stephen Smith – avoiding use of thecontested term “head of state” – paid tribute to TheQueen “As the Sovereign of both peoples and bothnations... your presence is a testament to the warmth,the affection, the respect and the regard that we havefor each other...”

Round-Up from the RealmsNews you may have missed from the Commowealth and other Monarchies around the world

New Royal portraits... Anne in Newfoundland... More resignations from Order of Canada... Queen’s Vimy DayMessage... Soldier appointed Alberta LG... William’s efforts please Australian Aborigines... Leblanc stamp issued...Harry raises funds for Haiti & Lesotho in Barbados... William on first official visit... Queen wins another referendum!

Rupert Alexander’s new portraitof The Queen

The Princess Royal at St John’s, NL wreath-laying ceremony,accompanied by the Lieutenant Governor, Hon John Crosbie (l)and Newfoundland & Labrador Premier Danny Williams (r)

Frank Chauvin –returned Orderof Canada in

Morgentaler row

Col Donald Ethell to repre-sent The Queen in Alberta

Oz Aboriginalspokesman MickMundine lauds

William – “heart &spirit of his mother”

Charles dons protective gear and camo to visit NATO troops inAfghanistan

March 1 – The Princess Royal visits with deployed CanadianForces members at Kandahar during her two-day visit to Af -ghan istan. HRH met with members of the Communicationsand Electronics branch, Canadian Forces Medical Services andthe Royal Newfoundland Regiment during her visit. She is theColonel-in-Chief of all three units.


PÖCKING, BAVARIA –February 9 – The funeral ofArchduchess Regina ofAustria, devoted wife ofArch duke Otto, was held sixdays after Her Highness’death at age 93. Her late hus-band was heir to the AustrianThrone, but renounced hisclaim in order to follow apolitical career, sitting in theEuropean Parliament for 20years.

RIDEAU HALL, February 5 –The Governor General un -veiled a Canada Post stamphonouring former viceroyRoméo Leblanc, who died in2009.

AJAX, February 2 – TheToronto Star revealed that sit-ting on an abandoned spurline in this community im -mediately West of Toronto – aline causing bus drivers great

irritation as they must stop when it crosses a highway,despite its no longer carrying rail traffic – is the famousrailway car Pacific, which carried The King and Queenacross Canada during their historic 1939 tour, andwhich was used by John Diefenbaker in his 1957 elec-tion campaign. Apparently the car is now owned by awealthy family connected with Mother Parker’s, the teaand coffee providers – CN sold it in 1972.

BRIDGETOWN, February 1– Prince Harry concluded athree-day visit to Barbados,the focus of which was acharity polo match to raisefunds for Sentebale, the char-ity he and Prince Seeiso ofLesotho founded to help im -poverished children in theAfrican kingdom. Harry vis-ited Barbadian children whopresented a cultural perform-ance for him – and he dancedcalypso-style on stage afterthe audience at a Haiti BenefitConcert met his challenge todonate B$5000 for the reliefefforts.

AUCKLAND, January 17-20/SYDNEY January 20-23 –Prince William spent three days in New Zealand, hisfirst official visit representing The Queen (and third tothe South Pacific Realm), the centrepiece of which wasthe opening of the new Supreme Court building inWellington. Met by the Governor General and PrimeMinister, the Prince’s itinerary also included laying aWreath at the National War Memorial, harbour andrugby stadium tours and a traditional Maori dinnerwhich William helped to cook! Asked by media about

his standing in for The Queen, William said, “It meansan awful lot because obviously she’s extremely busy, andI want to be able to do something good and keep thestandards up that she has led the way with.”

The Prince then flew to Australia for an unofficialvisit with engagements in Syndey and Melbourne. Ac -cord ing to the Daily Telegraph, the 27-year old Heir tothe Throne is determined to tackle republican senti-ment there by declaring himself “a friend of Australiaand its people.” Polls on the eve of William’s arrivalrevealed that monarchical support trumps republican-ism 51-35% when the Prince’s name is suggested asfuture monarch. His support is particularly strongamongst women. The same survey revealed by morethan 2-1 Australians do not want The Queen to abdi-cate. During the tour William tried out automaticweapons at an Army firing range, met with victims ofthe devastating bush fires last summer, lunched withthe Governor General and visited a Sydney CommunityCentre used by Aboriginal people.

RIDEAU HALL, January 13 – At the unusual invitationof the Prime Minister, the Governor General attendedan operational briefing about the situation followingthe Haitian earthquake and how Canadian relief effortswere being mounted. In addition to Mme Jean and MrHarper, those present included the head of the RCMP,the Chief of the Defence Staff, several Cabinet Min -isters and various officials of the departments mostnearly concerned. Reports indicated that Her Ex cel -lency placed her hand on the Prime Minister’s armwhen she thanked him for speeding $5 million of emer-gency aid to the troubled country. Mme Jean later helda press conference where, visibly moved and at times intears, she addressed Haitians in Creole, and then usedCanada’s two Official Languages to reflect on the emer-gency and to thank the government for its assistance,especially Defence Minister Peter MacKay who she saidhad been in touch with her regularly until the smallhours of the morning to give her updates on the situa-tion.

LONDON, January 6 –The first double por-trait of Prince Williamand Prince Harry wenton display today at theNational Portrait Gal -lery. Artist NickyPhilipps portrayed thebrothers wearing thedress uniform of theBlues and Royals whilechatting at ClarenceHouse. Philipps said

she set out to capture “a be hind-the-scenes glance at thehuman element of Royal responsibility, and to empha-size their brotherly relationship.”

WELLINGTON, December 30 – Peter Jackson, the filmdirector best known for The Lord of the Rings trilogy,was appointed Knight Companion of the Order of NewZealand in the New Year’s Honours List.

GOVERNMENT HOUSE, December 30 – Amongst 25new Officers and 32 new Members whose appoint-ments to the Order of Canada were announced todayare included, as Officers, two former Premiers, GaryFilmon of Manitoba and John Hamm of Nova Scotia;hockey great Mario Lemieux; singer Neil Young; andformer NDP leader Alexi McDonough. The list of newMembers of the Order included former Toronto MPJean Augustine, famed Aboriginal actor Tantoo Card -inal and distinguished geologist Bruce Sanford.

PORT OF SPAIN, November 27 – The Queen receivedher Canadian Prime Minister, the Rt Hon StephenHarper, in Private Audience today. HM is in Tobago forthe Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

ST VINCENT, November 25 – Voters in a referendumabout the Monarchy held by the Eastern CarribeanRealm of St Vincent & the Grenadines decisively reject-ed any change to the system of government by a 56%vote in favour of the Crown’s continuance, with 43%opposed. Abolition would have required a 2/3rds votein support.

Archduchess Regina ofAustria, dead at 93

His Mother’s son: PrinceHarry holds Jean-Luc, age7 weeks, at Queen ElizbethII Hospital, Bridgetown,during charity visit

to Barbados

Postage stamp honourslate Governor General

Roméo Leblanc

Prince William receives Hakka welcome enroute to open thenew Supreme Court building in Wellington, NZ

William meets a real Kiwi during NZ tour

William reads to children during Australian portion of hisS. Pacific tour

In front of iconic Sydney seascape, William with the GovernorGeneral of Australia and her husband Michael Bryce

The new double portrait ofPrinces William and Harry,painted by Nicky Philipps

Former MB Premier Gary Filmon (left) appointed OC in NewYear’s Honours; New Member of the Order of Canada, actressand singer Tantoo Cardinal (right)

View highlights of the Special Convocation ofMemorial University of Newfoundland, which wasmovingly addressed by HRH The Princess Royalafter conferral of the Honorary Degree of Doctor ofLaws.http://www.distance.mun.ca/media/files/archives/archives.php?SAID=88

MEMORIAL UNIVERSITYOF NEWFOUNDLAND:

ITS UNIQUE FOUNDATIONFrom remarks by HRH The Princess Royal, SpecialConvocation, MUN, November 23, 2010:What a privilege it is to be here today to accept thishonorary degree, I do accept it very much on behalfof the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, as it is thehonour of being their Colonel-in-Chief which is real-ly being recognized here. But it also makes me part ofthis Memorial University of Newfoundland commu-nity; and I appreciate that, too... it does provide mewith even a stronger link with my connection withthe Royal Newfoundland Regiment... It is important,that connection, for when this body was created in1925 when the Regiment was already 130 years old...it was an extraordinary occasion as a choice of mem -orial...The idea for the Memorial Uni ver sity College,as it was known in 1925, was indeed conceived inthose very dark postwar days; and it did serve twovery closely-related interests: one, a heartfelt desire asa positive memory, and the other, a great social need.And in the then Dom inion of New foundland thatdesire was to honour and re member those who hadlost their lives in service to King and Empire in theWar, and particularly those from the Royal New -found land Regi ment. It was felt in some circles that afitting memorial would be some thing living andgrowing... an institution of higher learning, and thatin constructing that unique memorial that secondimportant interest would also be served, of fulfillingthe pressing social need to bring higher education tothe Dominion... In the words of one of Memorial’sfound ers, Dr Vincent Burke, the institution would“keep the memory of the dead greener by renderingcontinuous service to the living.” So Mem orial Uni -ver sity College was raised from the ashes of the sac-rifices of the Regi ment, thus forming an un breakablebond between the University and the Regiment thatcontinues to this day. One is of the other, and bothare strengthened by that unique relationship.


VICE-REGAL ROUND-UPGOVERNOR GENERAL ~FLURRY OF ACTIVITYIN FINAL MONTHS

Mme Jean acknowledged at the startof an African tour in April that her timeat Rideau Hall would probably end in theFall. She told the Toronto Star that “theend of my tenure... will come at the endof September.” Nonetheless, Her Excel -lency’s busy pace has not slackened, witha tiny fraction of the highlights of RideauHall activities in recent months listedbelow.

On May 13, Her Excellency presentedthe Vanier Medal to Dr Gordon Smith ofthe Institute of Public Administration ofCanada. The day previous, during thevisit of Princess Margriet of the Nether -lands, the GG unveiled the MichaëlleJean tulip, a gift from the Dutch people.This is a distinctive tulip with deepmaroon petals, a new cultivar of theTriumph class. The preceding week hadfound Mme Jean in Sudbury, where shepresented Armorial Bearings to Laur -entian University.

A 10-day tour of Africa in April tookthe Governor General to Senegal, Congo,Rwanda and Cape Verde, the first two ofwhich are celebrating their 50th An -niversaries of Independence in 2010. Thevisits included travel to Goma in the vio-lence-torn northeast of Congo. Sayingshe wanted to visit with victims of thatviolence, especially women, Mme Jeantold media that “Goma’s risky for every-one, but first and foremost for the peoplewho are living there.” Her Excellency de -clined to be drawn into a debate as towhether Canada should send troops tohelp stabilize the region, but said “I wishone thing – non-indifference.”

Engagements during her visit toSenegal included a speech on the role ofmedia in a new Africa, delivered atCheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar; avisit to the Island of Gorée, a landmark ofthe slave trade and a UNESCO worldheritage site; and an Art Matters forumheld on the role of the arts as a tool forintervention and social change, attendedby Canadian delegates, experts andartists of the country. In Congo, theGovernor General addressed the Nation -al Assembly and the Senate, and visited ahealth centre supported by (CIDA)While in Goma, Mme Jean also visited

Canadians working at NGOs in the re -gion, and members of the CanadianForces serving in the UN peacekeepingforce. The Rwanda portion of the tourbrought, Her Excellency to monumentscommemorating the genocide of 1994, aswell as to rural communities served byCIDA. In Cape Verde, now recognized asa middle income country, the GG visitedSal Island and visited an NGO whoseworks included, thanks to the CanadaFund for Local Initiatives, the establish-ment of a community radio station.

Her Excellency declared the WhistlerOlympics open on February 12th, andspent a week attending various events atthe Games.

THE LIEUTENANTGOVERNORS

A mid-May weekend found New -found land & Labrador Lieutenant Gover -nor John Crosbie, joined by Her Hon -our, attending the Trails, Tails and TunesFestival in Norris Point situated in theheart of Gros Morne National Park. The10-day event features morning walks,afternoon workshops with artists andphotographers, and evening culturalmusic and story-telling, all performed ina variety of pubs, churches, halls and the-atres... Earlier in the Spring the Governorhad welcomed The Princess Royal andattended a number of events connectedwith her homecoming, presided inCorner Brook at the Closing of the N&LDrama Festival and led celebrations ofRed Cross Month.

A busy season found Hon. BarbaraHagerman enjoying chili from Wendy’sin support of The Great Chili Campaignwhich helps Kidney research; presentingthe LG’s Award for Tourism; participat-ing in the raising of the Acadian flag at

Fanningbrook, home ofPrince Edward Island’svice-regals; and readingThe Queen’s Message at aCommonwealth Day cele-bration.New Brunswick’s LG,

Hon Graydon Nicholas,was recently appointedthe Honorary Patron ofHeritage Fairs for theprovince. In this role HisHonour will preside at 15such events, offeringyoung people the oppor-tunity to present projectsof personal interest relat-ing to provincial andnational history. Earlier inthe year the LG – himselfa former scout – wel-comed scouts visitingfrom England to enjoysome camping in the vig-orous winter of theprovince.

Early Spring engagements for HerHonour Mayann Francis, Nova Scotia’svice-regal incumbent, included hosting alunch for the Chief Justice of Nova Scotiaand a dinner in support of the NovaScotia Salmon Association. Her Honourwas anticipating very special visitor thissummer, when Her Majesty The Queenwill be in residence at a newly-re -furbished Government House, the oldestsuch home in the Commonwealth.February 27 brought the LG to Toronto,where the University of the West Indieshonoured her at a benefit gala.

In Quebec, Hon. Pierre Duchesne raninto trouble with separatists for re-insti-tuting medals bearing his image andArms which His Honour presents toworthy community groups and volun-teers in his travels around the Province.For the last 40 years, Governors have pre-sented certificates rather than medals.Critics called M. Duchesne guilty ofusing “a powerful symbol” to enhancethe controversial vice-regal office, whichthe PG Deputy House Leader, AgnesMaltais, called “too strong.” She also crit-icized the LG’s refusal to appear before aNational Assembly committee, citing“Royal Privilege” and sending instead hisPrivate Secretary, Michel Demers, whopresented a detailed report outlining theOffice’s $922,000 annual expenses.

Les 1er et 2 mai derniers, certains desélèves de la Commission Scolaire deMontréal ont eu le grand honneur derecevoir les Médailles du Lieutenant-gouverneur du Québec. Cette reconnais-sance constitue un témoignage éloquentde l’engagement remarquable de ces per-sonnes. Le Programme des distinctionshonorifiques du Lieutenant-gouverneura pour objet la reconnaissance de l’enga-gement, de la détermination et du dépas-sement de soi de Québécois qui ont euune influence positive au sein de leurcommunauté ou de la nation québécoise.Ontario Lieutenant Governor Hon

David Onley made a special return visitto CFB Petawawa where he helped to sayfarewell and Godspeed to the soldiers ofJoint Task Force 1-10 as they deployed tothe dangerous Kandahar region ofAfghanistan where they relieved 1stBattalion PPCLI. In a stirring address tothe troops, His Honour reminded all

present that the Taliban forces inKandahar constitute a group that haddenied to Afghans the liberties Can -adians enjoy. “You will follow the task ofhelping defeat an enemy that stripped itspeople of every freedom that we so easilytake for granted,” he said. “By protectionof arms to the Afghan people you willhelp them build their own future free offear.”

In Manitoba, Lieutenant GovernorPhilip Lee revealed the breadth andreach of vice-regal activities in late Apriland early May. In a one-week span, HisHonour hosted or attended seven majorevents, ranging from the presentation ofExemplary Service Medals and Bars toWinnipeg Police officers and laying theBattle of the Atlantic commemorationwreath, to hosting Receptions at Govern -ment House for the Manitoba Found -ation for the Arts Awards and a visitingofficial delegation from Poland.

Amongst the recent events attendedby the Lieutenant Governor of Sask atch -ewan were the annual SaskatchewanPrayer Breakfast, convened by His Hon -our Dr Gordon L. Barnhart and theChief Justice, and the presentation ofMedals to the Boy Scouts in Saskatoon.Government House has recently wel-comed the installation of an interactiveeducational mural, designed by studentsfrom Campbell Collegiate.

May 11th saw Albertans welcome theInstallation of their new LieutenantGovernor, Col the Hon Donald S. Ethellwith a ceremony in the LegislativeChamber followed by military and policehonours outdoors. In his first address,His Honour pledged “I am honoured andexcited by this opportunity to serve ourgreat province. I will strive everyday toearn your confidence and to serve as HerMajesty the Queen’s representative inAlberta with honor, loyalty, integrity andtrust.”British Columbia’s Lieutenant Gover -

nor, Hon Steven L. Point (who like hiscolleague in Halifax wears the Canadian -ized Windsor Uniform with élan) veryhelpfully writes a monthly message to

Prince Edward Island LG Barbara AHagerman celebrates Commonwealth Daystudent poster designer, with RCS Chairman

and international students

Two representatives of HM attend Blue Jays’home opener, May 11 – Hon David Onleyjoins one of his most beloved predecessors,

Hon Linc Alexander

Ontario’s LG is an icon of the “can-do” spiritfor all people of different abilities acrossCanada, and played a prominent role ofsupport and encouragement at the

Paralympic Games in Whister, His Honourpasses the Torch to Jeff Adams during

the Paralympic Torch Relay.

His Honour and Mrs Lee arrived by landau toopen the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair on

March 29

The Lieutenant Governor of British Columbiahosted a Queen’s Venturer Ceremony at

Government House on April 17

The Governor General arrives in Senegal during her African tour

The Monarchist League of Canada has setup a special Facebook page – Canada’sNext Governor General – to allow Can -adians to voice their opinions as to whoshould succeed Mme Jean. Amongst someof the more interesting comments posted orreceived at Dominion HQ:From J.F. Ferrary, Lefaivre,ON: I believe that KevinMacLeod, presently theSenate Usher of the BlackRod, would be the bestchoice for GovernorGeneral. Some of the rea-sons include his under-standing of the Monarchyand the working of govern-ment; his long ac quaintancewith Her Majesty; his liter-ary accomplishment as anovelist. As well, I under-stand that he was instru-mental in bringing the vol-ume “a Crown of Maple” topublication which in itselfshould recommend him forthe position.From Jennifer Cook Banic -zky, Ottawa: I believe ournext governor generalshould definitely be a FirstNations person, a choicewhich is long, long over-due... Clarence Louie is areal mover and shaker fromthe Osoyoos Indian Band inthe Okanagan Valley, BC.He was first elected Chief in1985 and through economicdevelopment has built theband’s multi-faceted corpo-ration, the Osoyoos IndianBand Development Corp -ora tion. In a recent speechhe said, “We are focused onthe future, and we realizethat we create this future byour actions. The single mostimportant key to FirstNation self-reliance is eco-nomic development.” He isan amazing example for allyoung people in our variedsociety, showing that withhardwork and determina-tion anything is possible. Ithink he would be a won-derful representative of ourQueen.From Paul Hawkins (Van -couver, BC):We need to findsomeone who can standpolitical heat rather than anartist or an actor who does-n’t fit the profile of the job.Media folks seem to do well.I nominate Lloyd Robertson.From Jeff Rybak (Toronto, ON): Showyour support for Leonard Cohen! Let’sbelieve in Canada as a nation not afraidto be led by a poet.From James Bromilow (Ottawa, ON): I’dlike to see Prince William as the nextGov er nor General. Speculation is that heis about to get married. The new royalcouple could move into Rideau Hall andif they have children in a timely mannerwe could have not only a future Kingwho has worked and lived in Canada, butalso the first Heir Apparent (future Kingor Queen) to be born in Canada!From David Barrett (Waterdown, ON):Highly unlikely because he took pride in

ensuring he remain apolitical throughouthis broadcast career, but I’d love to seeDon New man take on the role. [It is littleknown that Newman’s Great-Uncle was atone time Lieutenant Governor of Mani -toba – Ed.]From Mark W Law (Teeswater, ON): I

think we need someone ofbearing who can relate tothe average person in auniquely Canadian way. Ithink, though he might beoff the radar, that a greatchoice would be StuartMac Lean – imagine a VinylCafe tucked in the corner ofRideau Hall!From Benjamin Rodkin(Philadelphia, PA): Gen.Lewis Mackenzie – life longsoldier and public servantand a United EmpireLoyalist.From Jamie Hume (Leth -bridge, AB): I don’t carewhat lineage, language orgender... I want someonewith integrity, backbone andgrace. I want someone whowill protect our parliamen-tary democracy. I wantsome one who respects thesystem and the peoples ofCanada. This role is not allabout pleasing everyone, itis not all about being a fig-urehead, it is not all ambas-sadorial and ceremonial... itis the seat of the watchdogof our rights and freedoms.other Common wealthcoun tries use it that way andif we don’t we will find our-selves with nothing left ...this form of governmentallows for the state of free-dom of each citizen. We arein danger of losing that.From Gareth Herrington,Guelph, ON: While I would-n’t care either way if theGovernor General ended upbeing aboriginal, pickingthe GG because he/she isaboriginal would only serveto reinforce this ridiculoustrend of picking GG’s basedon their cultural back-ground rather than basingthe choice on the qualitiesthat make a good GG.From Rob Gladaman, Tor -onto, ON: I don’t understandwhy so many Can adianscan’t see the value of a littleroyal sparkle in Ottawa!

Royals bring media attention and corpo-rate movers & shakers as well as holly-wood stars to any state or charity eventthey take part in. What more could theydo if resident in our capital for 4 years?Prince Andrew for Governor-General!Amongst other names suggested, somemore fanciful than others, were MadameJustice Rosalie Abella, Don Cherry, for-mer PM Joe Clark, Matthew Coon Come,General Rick Hillier, Sen ator Serge Joyal,Ezra Levant, Professor Margaret Mac -Millan, former Op position Leader Pres -ton Manning, former NDP leader AlexaMcDonough, Chief Justice Beverly Mc -Lachlin, Prince Harry & The PrincessRoyal!


Their Honours Dr. Gordon Barnhart and Mrs. Naomi Barnhart greet visitors at the LieutenantGovernor’s New Year’s Day Levee in Saskatchewan. The tradition of a Lieutenant Governor’s NewYear’s Day Levee began in Saskatchewan in 1884, when the area was still part of Canada’s North -west Territories. Only men were invited to the early Levees. In fact, it wasn’t until 1985 that womenwere invited to attend the annual celebration. This year, despite frigid temperatures in Saskatche -wan’s capital city, His Honour Lieutenant Governor Gordon Barnhart and Her Honour Mrs. NaomiBarnhart hosted some 600 guests at Government House in Regina. Credit: Office of Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan

THE GOVERNOR GENERAL’SVICTORIA DAY MESSAGE

OTTAWA – On behalf of all Canadians, it givesme great pleasure to offer Her Majesty QueenElizabeth II my best wishes for health and happi-ness on the occasion of the Canadian celebrationof her official birthday, May 24. This date, chosenin honour of Queen Victoria, born May 24, 1819,perpetuates a tradition that is very dear to us.Canadians hold Her Majesty in the highest

esteem and are eagerly anticipating the visit she ismaking here this summer with the Duke of Edin -burgh. This will be an opportunity for the entirecountry to come together to celebrate our historyand our close ties with the Monarchy.Canada is proud not only of its relationship

with the Monarchy but also of its role as an activeparticipant in the Commonwealth of Nations headed by Her Majesty. Somany countries have followed her wonderful example of compassion andgenerosity. Her kind words and steadfast leadership inspire nations aroundthe world to continue to pursue and maintain peace, goodwill and interna-tional co-operation.The respect and admiration we feel for Her Majesty this May 24 illustrate

the genuine affection and great loyalty our sovereign inspires.

The Mother of Confederationwould be pleased with

GG’s Message

outline what is ahead for his busy life atGovernment House as well as some per-sonal reflections. Extracts from May’scommuniqué follow:

“Here in Victoria, May begins withthe much anticipated Navy Centennialcelebrations. The Freedom of the CityParade and the unveiling of the Home -coming Statue in the Inner Harbour aresure to get the capital city in the festivespirit for this tremendous milestone.Lieutenant Governors have always had aclose relationship with Canada’s militaryand I am very fortunate to continue thistradition in my role as an HonoraryNaval Captain... in partnership withRotary Clubs in British Columbia, I willvisit communities near Prince George,

Quesnel and Williams Lake and speakwith people about my literacy program. Ihope to facilitate, where I can, the provi-sion of much needed books and other lit-eracy resources to areas in need. Likemany of you I am sure, I feel that eachyear the days pass ever more quickly. Weget wrapped up in our busy lives, think-ing ahead to “what’s next” and we forgetto stop and enjoy the moment. Weshould never take for granted how fortu-nate we are to live in such a free andbeautiful country or how lucky we are tocall British Columbia “home”. Let us allremember to pause, take a deep breathand appreciate where we are and what wehave in the moment.”

Manitoba Lieutenant Governor Philip S. Lee“Loves to Read” event - Wellington School,

February 26

Hon Graydon Nichoals reads the Speechfrom the Throne in the Legislative Assembly,

Fredericton

WHO DO CANADIANS FEEL SHOULDSERVE AS GOVERNOR GENERAL?

Lloyd Robertson

Speaker Peter Milliken

Chief Clarence Louie

Stuart McLean


CHAIRMAN FINCH ATTENDS STATEDINNER FOR CHARLES & CAMILLA

Recollection of a Royal eveningby Robert Finch, Dominion Chairman, the Monarchist League of Canada

After a pleasant 5 hour drive from Hamilton, I arrived at Rideau Hall with muchanticipation. Here I was at Govern ment House, the Governor General’s official res-idence, ready to dine with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Corn wall. For ayoung monarchist, this was a dream come true. This was actually my second statedinner as earlier in the year I attended the dinner for the Emperor and Empress ofJapan. So, thankfully the rookie jitters weren’t there. Instead of being nervous I wasable to simply enjoy myself and take in the exciting evening.

Guests assembled in the Tent Room, where a portrait of Queen Victoria hangsprominently, waiting for the Royal Couple and Their Excellencies to arrive. I spenda good time catching up with Emmanuelle Sajous (Deputy Secretary to the Gover -nor General), Gabrielle Lappa (Director of Honours), and Claire Boud reau (ChiefHerald of Canada). In credib ly hardworking and always friendly, Mmes Sajous,Lappa, and Boudreau make up the cornerstone for Canadian Honours andHeraldry. I then took the opportunity to chat with Peter Milliken, the Speaker of theHouse of Commons, and Judith LaRocque, Deputy Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Charles and Camilla, Mme Jean and M. Lafond arrived in the Tent Room with-out announcement or any fanfare, which struck me as a bit odd, but such is thenature of a less formal time in which we now find ourselves. I had had the good for-tune of meeting the Prince a few days before in Toronto, so decided not ap proachhim, thus allowing others to have the opportunity. He is an easy man to talk to andcomes across as genuinely interested in what you have to say. Not having metCamilla, I was thrilled when Sheila-Marie Cook, Secretary to the GovernorGeneral, introduced me to her. Learning that I was from Hamilton, where she andHRH had toured Dun durn Castle – home of her great-great-great grandfather SirAllan MacNab – she talked in depth about Dundurn and jokingly suggested sheshould “take back” the castle. I had the feeling that she was quite moved and admit-tedly a bit surprised at the great affection Hamilton ians gave her while she andCharles visited Dundurn. Crowds of school children shouting, “We want theDuchess” will do that, you see.

Next, staunch monarchist Jason Ken ney, Minister of Citizenship and Immi gra -tion and a League member, in tro duc ed me to Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Thiswas the first time that I had met a Prime Minister of Canada. It was during my con-versation with the Prime Minister that it suddenly struck me – my goodness, I amin the same room, meeting and talking to royalty, the Prime Min ister, and others.Like I said, this was a dream come true.

Just before dinner, I took the opportunity to introduce myself to Her Ex cellency.This single encounter re mind ed me of just why Mme Jean is so popular amongstCanadians. Her warmth, friendliness, and compassion are so evident when you’rein her presence. And, I can honestly say that she is one of the most beautiful andgraceful women I have ever seen. Mme Jean took me aside to “clarify” something.She wanted to address head on-the topic of the controversial act of removing theRoyal portraits which the League had protested a year or so earlier. She assured methat there was no ill-intent on the part of Rideau Hall, and told me of how she want-ed to create an image of a harmonious relationship between the Crown andCanada’s First Nations. Her Excel lency explained that when guests enter the ball-room they now see an enormous mural of Aboriginal artwork on the focal wall. TheLemieux portrait of The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh was moved to the back wallinstead of the focal wall. Mme Jean’s reasoning is that guests now see Canada’sbeginnings upon entering the Ballroom and with a reminder that Canada is apeaceful, prosperous monarchy when leaving. I never quite thought of it that light,but I did grasp her argument.

We finally made our way into the Main Ballroom. Speeches by the Gov er norGeneral, the Prime Minister, and the Princepreceed an amazing dinner – using com-pletely organic ingredients, of course – com-posed of various dishes from all regions ofCanada. The Prince’s speech was myfavourite, and he ended with an “À Bientôt”instead of “Au revoir” meaning he wasn’tsaying good-bye to Canadians but rather,“see you soon.” I can only hope that it won’tbe another 8 long years before Canada’sfuture King returns.

I was seated between a friend of PrinceCharles and Kevin Macleod’s assistant. Alsoat my table was General Walter Natynczyk,Chief of the Defence Staff, who graciously thanked me for all the work theMonarchist League has done.

Following dinner – and a few glasses of Niagara wine – I had the opportunity tochat with Michael Ignatieff, the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. In thedays before, as you may recall, many in the media were labelling Mr. Ignatieff arepublican thanks to some writings un earthed in his past work. Upon beingapproached by the Dominion Chairman of the Monarchist League of Canada, Mr.Ignatieff jokingly suggested he should hang some garlic around his neck to protectagainst monarchist vampires. Our conversation – although brief – made me feelmuch better, however, for Mr. Ignatieff assured me that he wasn’t a republican andin fact would take back what he wrote if he could. Yes, Mr. Ignatieff is a monarchist.

As the night grew older, people slowly left Rideau Hall and it was time for me tocall it a night, as well. After bidding adieu to friends old and new I left for the returndrive home, reflecting on the most useful – for the League – and pleasant – for me– evening I had enjoyed, thanks to the kind invitation of the Governor General.

Rideau Hall’s Executive Chef Louis Charestwith the first course of a Royal Feast!

Vice-Regal FolliesCommentary by RectorIf it were not for the important issues at stake, the spring of 2010 could

be labelled the vice-regal silly season. Speculation about the next gover-nor general gave a tabloid touch to otherwise serious newspapers. MarySimon seemed to be a betting favourite. Facebook campaigns promotedthe candidacies of William Shatner and Leonard Cohen. Wayne Gretzkyand Rick Hansen were said to be popular with a number of MPs. TheOfficial Languages Commissioner weighed in with a solemn warning thatgovernors general had to demonstrate mastery of both official languages.This of course sharply reduces the available pool of vice-regal talent inEnglish-speaking Canada, especially the West, and rules out the likes ofGretzky and Hansen. In any case, more reasoned analysts pointed out thatthe next governor general should actually be a person who knows some-thing about political and constitutional matters, rather than anothermedia celebrity.In the midst of all this there was an ostensibly grassroots campaign to

extend Michaëlle Jean in the vice-regal position, led by the Haitian com-munity in Montreal with support from people in Haiti itself following thedevastating earthquake and the governor general’s visit there. However,there were rumours that Madame Jean herself was instigating the cam-paign. To cap it all off, the Liberal leader, Michael Ignatieff, after he hadbeen privately consulted by the Prime Minister’s office, announced thathe supported the “reappointment” of Madame Jean. This unprecedentedpublic lobbying by the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition wasrightly denounced by constitutional experts such as the University ofToronto’s Peter Russell as “inappropriate”, “wrongheaded”, “very unhelp-ful and unwise”.At the time of writing (mid-May), there was no official word on the

next governor general. However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to hisgreat credit, was taking the appointment very seriously and, unlike hispredecessors, was engaging in genuine consultations. These apparentlyincluded academic experts as well as the Leader of the Opposition and theleader of the New Democratic Party. Mr. Ignatieff ’s response to this wel-come initiative was appallingly maladroit, partisan and possibly unethi-cal. It can only give rise to fears that the Liberal Party either does notunderstand the vice-regal office or seeks to manipulate it for its own polit-ical advantage.For many observers the spring campaigns confirmed what they had

maintained all along: after five years it was time for Michaëlle Jean tovacate the national vice-regal office. Her appointment out of the blue byPrime Minister Paul Martin in 2005 – without consultations – got hermandate off to a rocky start. Frequent gaffes, some with negative consti-tutional overtones, marred her tenure. The calibre of the administrationat Rideau Hall reached an all-time low. This is not to say that MadameJean did not have her successes, indeed many of them. Her warmth, herempathy for the disadvantaged, her media-savvy charisma and personalcharm have endeared her to Canadians. Her passion for her troublednative land of Haiti has touched many hearts. But worthy a cause as Haitimay be and deserving of our sympathy and help, Canada has many otherinternational issues to cope with; a governor general born in another landmust be careful not to over-emphasize the needs of her country of origin.The present Prime Minister has a fine track record with provincial

vice-regal appointments. Starting with Saskatchewan’s Gordon Barnhartin 2006 and continuing that year with Nova Scotia’s Mayann Francis andPrince Edward Island’s Barbara Hagerman, Mr. Harper has continued toselect lieutenant governors on a meritorious, non-partisan basis. StevenPoint, appointed as British Columbia’s lieutenant governor in 2007, hadbeen a First Nations chief and a provincial court judge. David Onley,appointed to the Ontario vice-regal office the same year, had been abroadcaster and advocate for the disabled. Philip Lee, named Manitobalieutenant governor in 2009, was a leader in Winnipeg’s Chinese-Canadian community. Donald Ethell, named lieutenant governor ofAlberta in 2010, had a distinguished military career. A promising devel-opment occurred when Prime Minister Stephen Harper publiclyannounced that in selecting Mr. Lee he had directly consulted with thepremier and leader of the opposition of Manitoba, both of whomexpressed their support. The Prime Minister pursued this policy in theappointment Graydon Nicholas as lieutenant governor of New Brunswicklater the same year.It is to be hoped that the silly season of 2010 will not discourage Mr.

Harper or future prime ministers from similarly serious considerationand consultations about the national vice-regal appointment. Let us hopethat loyalty to the Sovereign and the Crown, a profound understandingand appreciation of our Canadian system of governance, eminence insome field or fields of endeavour, and a sense of occasion and history willbe just as important as gender, ethnicity, regionalism or … bilingualism.


Monarchists Speak OutA selection of members’ postings on the League’s Message Board:

http://members. boardhost.com/monarchist/

UK understanding trumps Canada’s... Publicity re next GG a good thing...Head of State debate – again!... Union Flag on Commonwealth Day...

Mme Jean’s display of emotion...

[The Message Board contains freeexpressions of monarchist opinionwhich may not reflect the views of theMonarchist League of Canada. – Ed.]

From Ian McKechnie, Trent University,Peterborough, ON: [reflecting on coverageof hung Parliament immediately after theBritish election]

Judging by what I saw on televisionthe other day, the Crown’s place in theUnited Kingdom seems to be betterunder stood (and even taken for granted)than does the Crown’s place in Canada.During the last two prorogations, theGovernor General was often portrayedby a lot of [uninformed] people as beinga tyrant who tried to subvert democracyin Canada. As Prof. Frank MacKinnononce pointed out, too many “..blame theCrown as a convenient scapegoat forweak nesses that were not its fault.” I’mnot trying to suggest that an alleged lackof transparency is the problem, but afterthe 2008 prorogation, for example, anumber of people (including the media,of course) took it upon themselves todeclare the place of the GG in our systemundemocratic and, with defeatist flair,said “maybe the Governor Generalshould be elected,” or “maybe we shouldabolish the position altogether.”

From Brenda Nelson, Victoria, BC:Actually all this attention [to the

appointment of the next Governor Gen -eral] is great for the monarchy, though Iwill admit tacky as well. Look without itpeople don’t know about the GG, the roleof the GG, and why it is important for themonarchy in Canada. This publicitythough not “proper” in the halls ofWhite hall and Buck House (thoughtheirs is worse), or maybe on WellingtonSt or Rideau Hall, brings the public intothe debate by sheer interest. Rememberthe key reason why Mackenzie King wasso successful as PM is that he knew whento engage an issue, and when to let it driftuntil the public demanded it. Same hereand to say for the Monarchy and GG thatthis is bad; well that is being exceptional-ly naive. The monarchy is about politicsfirst and foremost and the public need towant to know about it, engage with it, bepart of it for it to survive and succeed.The time of Queen Victoria through toGeorge VI has long gone. Let the systemand the people have their say and hoep-fully they will, elsewise we will get whatwe desrve... a low-key functionary whowill do what the PM says. Clarkson andJean might have faults from the League’spoint of view with Head of State et al, butno one can deny that they moved thewhole Office of GG to a much higherplateau than it had ever been before,including in the Michener years.

From Prof Richard Toporoski,Vancouver, BC

Thanks to [a previous poster] fordrawing our attention to the fact thatthere is a difference between a sovereign(eg the Queen of Canada or the Queen ofDenmark) and a mere head of state (egthe Queen of Papua New Guinea or thePresident of the United States). A sover-

eign, apparently from the late Latinsuper anus (as can thus be seen, the wordhas nothing to do with “reign”, and forthis reason, J. B. Bury, for example, thehistorian of the later Roman Empire, pre-ferred to spell it “sovran”), “supreme”, isprecisely that. Our Sovereign stands atthe peak of the political structure and,more important, all authority and powerflows ultimately from her, and withouther consent, either personal and explicitor at least delegated, no act of govern-ment can be carried out. This is not trueof the Queen of Papua New Guinea or ofthe President of the United States. That iswhy I continue to maintain that theQueen of Canada is not “head of state”and that the term should never be used ofher. (The expression is apparently of Am -er ican origin, devised to provide somecommon term that could be used fordiplomatic purposes. It is for this reason,I presume, that the Constitution Act ofNew Zealand states that “the Sovereignin right of New Zealand is the Head ofState of New Zealand.” This guaranteesthat other powers will not regard theQueen of the United Kingdom, for exam-ple (or the Queen of Canada, for thatmatter), as the Sovereign or Head of Stateof New Zealand.) On a related point, itseems to me that there is confusion aboutthe term “sovereignty” because it is oftenused, especially by the government ofCanada, with other, unspecified mean-ings. For example, what does the com-monly-used expression “Canadian sover-eignty” really mean? Here, it can hardlymean “supremacy”; it must mean rather“independence” or, in respect of theArctic, for example, “territorial integrity”.

From Donald Harvey, Halifax, NS [on athread discussing whether the GovernorGeneral showed too much emotion whenspeaking on television about the Haitianearthquake.]

Many people – probably of an oldergeneration – find public displays of emo-tion embarrassing and mawkish. TheQueen falls into this category, at least onesuspects so due to her own composure inall weathers. Such an attitude or sense ofself – the GG’s falling towards the otherextreme – is neither “right” nor “wrong.”It is human. Some people who sit stoical-ly at a funeral love granny every bit asmuch as those who weep. We shouldn’tcriticize the GG for her emotion nor TheQueen for her reserve.

From Steven LathamHappy Commonwealth Day! Today in

Ottawa it was nice to see the Royal UnionFlag flying alongside the Maple Leaf. Itwas flying at the National Arts Centre,the Lord Elgin, the War Memorial, andthe Supreme Court. Most large govern-ment offices downtown were flying itincluding the Wellington Building thed’Arcy McGee Building, the ConnaughtBuilding, the Lester B Pearson Buildingand National Defence Headquarters. Iwas pleased to see it as well on Parlia -ment Hill and at the National Gallery.The Commonwealth Flag was also beingflown on Parliament Hill, at the Lester BPearson Building, and at the British High

Commission. The two locations that didnot respect the government’s flag policy:Rideau Hall, and the Royal CanadianMint. I tried to get an answer fromRideau Hall for over a year, as to whythey do not have to follow the policy onCommonwealth Day, Victoria Day, andthe anniversary of the Statute of West -minster, but my queries have gone un -answered. Still, even with the notableabsence at Rideau Hall, it was nice to seeboth flags flying together at so manylocations in our capital.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

From Dawn M. Nevills, Inwood, ON:I think the Monarchy brings stability,

resilience, compassion, quiet comfort,and a reason to get up in the damnedmorning, sometimes, through all of one’stroubles, and the duty that life can some-times be. In a life where there is notmuch exciting, that is pleasant, andbrings joy, and makes one laugh or smile,sometimes, it is a special sense of excite-ment that that mystique still brings.

I distinctly recall one day of my life,following an injury, when I had to go towork, and every movment was causingme physical discomfort...” if the Queencan go to work today, than so can Ibloody well do it, forty years youngerthan her...” It got me there and back,through a ten hour shift, and able tomake the payment on that darned car...smile.

I know that that is kind of rough com-fort, and I sincerely don’t mean it thatway, but when you think of these peoplewith affection, and it brings you encour-agement, you have to see that the loyaltyand love inculcated by that same sense ofcomfort and support is nothing that any-one could EVER buy with money.

I am only sorry I missed seeing PrinceCharles and the Duchess of Kent inHamilton. It is wonderful to see thembeing each other’s support, through thechallenges and quiet concerns of this life,after so much grief. That there is love inthe autumn years is a testament to theemotion itself, and a promise for allwhose life has brought loss and pain, dis-appointment, and loneliness. I am glad tosee them both happy...

SECRET PLACES,HIDDEN SANCTUARIESReviewed by Senex

Secret Places, Hidden Sanctuariesby Stephen Klimczuk & Gerald WarnerSterling Publishing CompanyISBN 978-1-4027-6207-9C$25.95 ($16.26 via amazon.ca)

Have you ever ached to visit Area 51?Or wondered about the fate of theTemplar treasure? the mysterious imagesof Easter Island? the truth about the eliteYale University society, Skull and Bones?

In an unusually succinct and clearlywritten book, Messrs Klimczuk (a Mon -archist League member) and Warner sortgossip from truth about these and a hostof other curiosities to which the develop-ment of a New Age sensibility, the explo-sion of worldwide instant communica-tion and a number of popular movie pro-ductions have given sometimes unwont-

ed and certainly, often inaccurate atten-tion.

There is much of monarchical interestin their discussions. The Ise Shrine ofJapan houses the most cherished andsacred relics immutably bound to theImperial Family and succession to theChrysanthemum Throne, while it ap -pears that the Swedish Crown is animportant supporter of a unique form offreemasonry linked to the ancient – and,the authors argue, justifiably-maligned –Templar Order. The peregrinations ofHungary’s St Stephen’s Crown are alsolucidly traced.

Canada also figures in the duo’s un -raveling of legends and unearthing of lit-tle-known shrines. We were a destinationfor both the British and Polish Crownjewels. More than one Royal Peculiar sitson our soil: what is a Royal Peculiar, onemay ask? Not a mad king or even a badone, but a very special sort of church, inCanada’s case being linked not only tothe Crown but to our First Nations.

This is a book not pretending to be ofhuge consequence but affording great en -joyment to the reader. It is not likely theKing of Sweden will ever invite you to hisLodge, nor His Imperial Majesty suggesta stroll through the Ise Shrine – but youmight just find a Royal Peculiar closerthan you imagine.

BOOKREVIEW

The Ise Shrine, home to Imperial Japan’smost sacred relics

Did the Polish Crown Jewels come toCanada during WWII?

Give CMNto a friend!A great way to recruit

Monarchists.Complimentaryadditional copies

available on request to

[email protected]


Sheila Copps Addresses Annual Accession Sunday LunchThe annual Accession Sunday Luncheon of the Mon -

archist League of Canada took place on Sunday, February7 in the Vanity Fair Ballroom of the Meridien King Ed -ward Hotel, Toronto, with a full house of some 130 guestsin attendance. His Honour, the Lieutenant Gover nor waspresent, and brought Greetings from Her Majesty.

Dominion Chairman Robert Finch presented Hon -orary Life Memberships to the Hon Sheila Copps, PC,who when Minister of Canadian Heritage had initiated thenationwide celebrations of the Golden Jubilee in 2002 andgiven positive support to the Crown throughout her polit-ical career; and to Nanda Casucci-Byrne, long-serving Pri -vate Secretary to Lieutenant Governors of Ontario, and agreat friend to the League, especially in her mentoring ofits summer interns in the Vice-Regal Suite. Graeme Scot -ch mer, last summer’s Intern, recounted his experiencesand proposed the Toast to the League, while retiring Ham -ilton Branch Chairman Sylvia Cook gave the Loyal Toast.

Introduced by Matthew Cutler, Sheila Copps gave astirring address in her imitable style, full of political asidesand amusing anecdotes about her experiences in Ottawaand with the Royals. After a tribute to Hamilton, whichshe called “one of the most loyal cities in Canada,” MsCopps spoke of growing up in a household where her Dad,the legendary Mayor of Hamilton, was a monarchist whileher Mother was not so much a supporter. She herself nevergave the matter much thought, but would not have calledherself a monarchist in her youth.

A useful political lesson, that of knowing your audi-ence, came early to Sheila from her sister, whom sheremembered many years ago chose to give a speech infavour of abolishing the Monarchy. While sis made somefair points, Ms Copps remembers mainly that she gave thespeech at a Legion hall full of keenly monarchist veterans.Her own conversion came as she grew to know moreabout the Crown, and entered public life, meeting mem-bers of the Royal Family, particularly The Queen and thePrince of wales. This conversion process accelerated whenshe became the Heritage Minister, and was nourished byher very loyal monarchist assistant Alice Williams.

The former Minister recalled vividly The Queen’s ded-ication to loyalty and service, one of the most striking ex -amples of which occurred in 1997. The Sovereign was inNewfoundland to celebrate the 400th anniversary ofCabot’s landing there, which was re-enacted with anauthentic boat voyage arriving at the same destination. Itwas freezing cold, but The Queen insisted on sitting forhours awaiting the unpredictable arrival of the vessel, eventhough she was obviously uncomfortable.

Ms Copps told the audience that her then-boss, PrimeMinister Jean Chrétien, had always refused to entertainany notion of Canada’s becoming a republic or of openingup a debate on the subject, even though many around himfavoured its abolition.

Her first meeting with Prince Charles occurred in 1996during Hamilton’s Sesqui centennial celebrations. She saidthe two formed a “special” relationship where they bothfound comfort in each other as both were experiencinglow points in their lives... Charles recently divorced fromDiana, and Sheila resigning after the GST promise. MsCopps shared with lunchgoers some of the letters thePrince had written, simply signed “Charles.” The Lunchwas the first time she had shared this correspondence withanyone, but thought it appropriate for monarchists to geta sense of what a humane, down-to-earth real manCharles is.

It was Ms Copps’ commitment to make Can ada’s Gold -en Jubilee celebrations a huge success, and The Queen’stour big and memorable for both Monarch and Can -adians. Point ing out the practical ad van tage of the Mon -archy, she revealed that Canada’s status had played a sig-nificant role in winning Vancouver’s Olympic bid forwhich the government made a concerted effort to obtainsupport from other Realms, the Commonwealth generallyand La Franco phonie. Having The Queen as head of statewas hugely beneficial to ultimate success.

Sheila explained how she regarded Elizabeth II as a rolemodel for women and men everywhere, as someonewhom all Canadians should aspire to be like, and as awoman who knows no concept of retirement, but ratheronly of service and dedication to Canada and to peoplethroughout the Commonwealth. In closing, Ms Coppssaid how she was honoured and thrilled to be awarded anHonorary Life Membership in the League, which shethanked for its continuous four decades of hard work topromote our Royal past, present and future.


Chairman Finch presents Hon Life Memberships to Copps, Casucci-Byrne • The Lieutenant Governor brings Greetingsfrom The Queen • Copps makes stirring address – shares personal correspondence with Prince of Wales


LEAGUE NOTESCHAIRMAN FINCH APPOINTSHONORARY LIFE MEMBERSFOR PUBLIC SERVICE:

Hon Sheila Copps &Hon Jason Kenney

Both Ms. Copps andMr. Kenney have dis-tinguished themselvesin their careers by theirconsistent and usefulpublic advocacy of theMonarchy. Ms. Copps,former Deputy PrimeMinister and Ministerof Canadian Heritage,caused the GoldenJubilee of The Queen’sReign in 2002 to beenthusiastically, widely

and effectively promoted by the federalgovernment. She continues to advocatefor the Crown in her post-political careeras a journalist. She was presented herHonorary Life Membership at February’sAccession Day luncheon in Toronto. Mr.Kenney, Minister for Citizenship, Im -migration and Multiculturalism, hasbeen a strong, vocal proponent of theCanadian Crown in cabinet. Recently, helaunched the new immigration studyguide Discover Canada: the Rights andResponsibilities of Citizenship, a publica-tion acclaimed for its many references tothe Crown. He will be presented hisHonorary Life Membership at a futuredate.

FOR EXTRAORDINARYSERVICE TO THE LEAGUE:Elaine Currie, Geraldine “Dene”Mainguy & Alexander Paton

Longtime members of the League’spremier branch in Victoria, each of theseloyal members, Silver Badge of Serviceholders, has an outstanding record ofunstinting giving of self to the League.

Elaine served for many years as BranchSecretary and subsequently as Vice-Chairman, bringing her organizationaltalents and imagination to a great periodof growth for the Branch. Dene Main -guy’s League involvement goes back to itsearliest days when the Mainguys attend-ed meetings in Montreal. Dene later be -came active in the Vancouver Branch,and then Secretary and MembershipDirector of Victoria Branch while sheand her husband Kit ran a b&b. AlexPaton harnessed his experience as anexecutive for Safeway Canada to give thebranch a sound business footing andfocused programming of outreach to thecommunity. His generosity of spirit,good humour and substance have beenconstant and foundational for theBranch. In Jubilee Year, with his wifeOrma he entertained HRH PrinceMichael of Kent to dinner at their home.

QUEEN’S UNIVERSITYBRANCH FOUNDEDCraig Draeger, from Thunder Bay, ON,entering his second year at the well-known Kingston campus, explainshow the League began at Queen’s:

I first became interested in the Mon -archist cause when I was in high school,but I didn’t become involved in theLeague until arriving at Queen’s in theFall of last year. I met a few like-mindedindividuals, and together we started upthe nascent Queen’s branch early in thenew year. We only have about 10 mem-bers at present, but we’re ready for a bigrecruitment drive in September. I had thepleasure of meeting Sen. Hugh Segal at afund-raiser some months ago, and heexpressed interest in being involved inthe organization. We’re currently sketch-ing out plans for next year, but we’re hop-ing to host parties, receptions, andspeaking events. We look forward to theschool year, and plan to be a very activepresence in Queen’s and the broaderKingston community. As for me: I enjoyliterature, sports, and journalism.

RYERSON NEAL APPOINTEDVICE-REGAL INTERN

This year’s MonarchistLeague Sum mer Internin the Office of HisHonour, the LieutenantGovernor of Ontario atQueen’s Park, Toronto,is Ryerson Neal. Anative of Goderich,Ryer son, 21, is entering

his final year at Trinity College,University of Toronto, where he is read-ing International Relations with a specialinterest in Canadian and Common -wealth history. A member of the Leaguefor several years, Ryerson representedmonarchists when he undertook afriend ly debate with a republican studentfor CBC Television during the visit ofCharles and Camilla last Fall. Func -tionally trilingual (English, French &Russian), amongst a clutch of academichonours and awards he holds the JohnHolmes Scholarship in InternationalRelations and is a two-year winner of aChancellor’s Scholarship for high aca-demic achievement. Author of a French-language guidebook to his home town,Ryerson collects military miniatures andenjoys amateur theatre and hockey. Sincehis arrival at Queen’s Park in early May,he has engaged in a number of projects,and already has had the opportunity tomeet both the Governor General andRick Hansen when they came to theVice-Regal suite. It goes without sayingthat Ryerson is looking forward to TheQueen and Prince Philip’s visit in July,which he will report on in the Fall issueof CMN.

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTOSTUDENT TO RE-DESIGNLEAGUE WEBSITE

John Gross, a Spanish,French and PoliticalScience student at theUniversity of Torontoheading for a career ineducation, will spendthe summer re-design-ing the MonarchistLeague’s website. This

project is in fulfillment of ChairmanFinch’s decision that the revamping of thesite, the League’s principal education andrecruiting tool, should be a major com-ponent of its 40th Anniversary celebra-tions. Thanks to the generosity of mem-bers in supporting this objective of theLeague’s 2010 Special Appeal, John hasbeen hired to accomplish the work,backed up by the web architectural ex -pertise of long-serving Dominion Web -

master Borden Rhodes.An American citizen with a passion

for monarchy and a significant apprecia-tion of its functioning within Canada’sConstitution that would put many Can -adians to shame, John grew up in theChicago suburb of Lake Bluff, Illinois.During high school, he was a PatrolLeader in the Boy Scouts and a Spanishtutor with experience of special needsstudents, acquiring as well expertise in anumber of computer and internet func-tions including graphic design. At U of The is on the Dean’s List and was recipientof a Certificate of Merit acknowledgingexcellence in his Spanish studies; he alsocoordinates the executive committee anda drop-in centre for LGBTOUT whichprovides support and advocacy servicesfor students.

MONARCHISTS WINCOSTCO POLL: TIDRIDGETAKES ON FREDA

A poll in the March-April issue of TheCostco Connection, a glossy magazinepublished by the popular big box store,asked “Should Canada abolish the Mon -archy?” Spurred by an email alert fromDominion HQ, monarchists from acrossCanada voted to carry the day and defeatthe proposal 767-179. The impetus be -hind the poll was a feature called“Informed Debate” in which the League’sEducation Coordinator Nathan Tidridgetook on Tom Freda, a republican, andeloquently and succinctly made the per-suasive case for the Crown. Well done,Nate!

Nathan’s succinct advocacy for theCrown, reprinted below, would be usefulas a short persuader for any republican ofyour acquaintance – feel free to clip andmail it to a deserving recipient!Should Canada abolish the monarchy?No. Canada has always been a consti-

tutional monarchy. Located above poli-tics, the Crown exists to give authority to,and protect, our constitution and gov-ernment. The Crown allows the machin-ery of government, often out of themedia spotlight, to smoothly evolve andmaintain our unique Confederation. Oneof the simplest roles of The Queen (andher representative the governor general)is to ensure that Canada always has aprime minister – something that is ex -tremely important in an age of minoritygovernments and coalitions. The Crownexists above politics – something that anelected Head of State (with a mandateand political agenda) would have a diffi-cult time to assert.

Canadians saw the importance of thisposition during last year’s prorogation of

At the Kingston Branch “Ruby Tea” in April,MPP John Gerretsen joined Chairman Finch,his family and daughter Alessa, BranchChairman Marlene McCracken and manyguests for a celebration tea, speech byChairman Finch , entertainment and cake-cut-ting.

Some of the Queen’s University Branch found -ers attended the Accession Lunch in Toronto:(l-r) Edward Wooley, Vice-Chairman; Chair -man Craig Draeger; Peter Pakalnis, Manager;and Graeme Scotchmer, co-Co ordinator of theYoung Monarchists nationally.

One of the Honorary Life Members appointedis Alex Paton, here shown receiving theLeague’s Silver Badge of Service from HRHPrince Michael of Kent at Victoria BranchLuncheon during the Prince’s Jubilee Tour in2002

Ryerson Neal

John Gross

adians and their achievements.Yes we need to maintain our monar-

chy, something that is both unique andmisunderstood. Once Canadians realizewhat they could be loosing the few callsfor a republican form of governmentwould fall silent.

LEAGUE LIVESCongratulations to Nathan and

Christine Tidridge on the birth of theirfirst child, a daughter, Sophie Margaret,on July 17, 2009.

Very best wishes to Christopher Smithand Kara-Anne Grace who are to be mar-ried in Toronto on July 10. May they

enjoy many years of happy life together!Well done and thank you to... Ray -

mond Aucoin. This loyal Vancouvermember is one of several thoughtfulsouls who slips into his renewal severalbooklets of Queen definitive stamps,which the League uses with pleasure...Patrick Gilbert, a member in the Mont -real area, who regularly sends the Leaguenew Royal books for re-sale or gifting...David Langner of Ottawa, who not onlyreviewed the Royal Stamp exhibition onbehalf of CMN, but also managed tosecure from the Museum for the Leaguethe catalogue which was not for sale...Orangeville, ON, member Alfred Ronaldwho wrote a withering letter to the editorabout the politicizing of Prime Min ister -ial appointments of Governors General.NEW YOUTH COORDINATORS:RICHARDS, SCOTCHMER,WHALEY – CHAIRMAN FINCHSTATES OBJECTIVES, LAUDSBEREZOVSKY

November 8, 2009As a result of my October email, many

YM members stepped forward to offertheir assistance to develop our youthmembership as a viable, appealing com-munity which will operate both withinand beyond existing League structures. Iam grateful to everyone who volun-teered.

Today it’s great to be able to announcethe three new co-Coordinators of ourYM group. They are:

– Lead CoordinatorTom Richards, an ex -per ienced public speak-er involved in politics,whose hails from Re -gina but who is study -ing in an HonoursPolitical Science andHistory programme StFofX University in

Nova Scotia;– Graeme Scotchmer, our Intern thisSummer in the Office of the LieutenantGovernor of Ontario, and an all-a -round athlete and History Major at theUniversity of Western Ontario;

– Freshman University of Winnipeg stu-dent Dan Whaley, an activist in a num-ber of community organizations and

part-time employee at Safeway.When I wrote you previously, I men-

tioned the following basic hopes andexpectations which our Coordinators areeager to pursue with you...a) to welcome new YM members (andinventory the existing members) toascertain each one’s particular interestlevel, talents, ideas and availability;b) to serve as a sounding board for YMopinion on matters of concern to Mon -archists generally; and relay those opin-ions to the Dominion Chairman;c) to grow an on-line community of YMmembers in order to promote a sense ofcohesion and fellowship;d) to recruit, and encourage recruiting,of new YM members; and to encouragewhere appropriate the formation of cam-pus branches of the League;e) to consider activities – whether en -gag ed in on line or (in areas where num-bers warrant) in person – which will beboth fun and useful for the group; thiscould involve anything from providingideas to the League’s new Social MediaCoordinator, Alain Bartleman, concern-ing Twitter and Facebook activity andquestions, to pub nights, to submittingreasoned opinions to media and galva-nizing re sponse to online polls and soforth;f) when requested by the DominionChair man, and in line with your own a -vailability, comfort levels and experience,to speak to the media on the League’sbehalf.

During this exciting time, when theLeague is actively using today’s commu-nication tools to explain (and occasional-ly, to defend) the significance of theRoyal Tour to our fellow Canadians, itseems particularly appropriate to be ableto make this sort of announcement andto invite all of you to join with Tom,Graham and Dan in renewing your com-mitment to the Maple Crown and theorganization which tries to serve it.

Thank you again to Eugene Bere -zovsky (whom you will have seen recent-ly as very busy in doing extremely effec-tive media appearances for us) for hispast efforts in the YM group. He joins mein asking you to help our new Co -ordinators in the tasks that lie ahead forthem as for all of us.

parliament by Michelle Jean after theHarper government was nearly toppledby a hastily constructed coalition. Theparliamentary pause allowed for by thegovernor general enabled the House ofCommons to sort out the mess, avoidinganother costly election or divisive coali-tion.

Elizabeth II is Queen of Canada, a rolethat is distinct and separate from theother 15 realms that recognize her asHead of State. For Canadians, The Queenis fully “Canadianized” and her title is theresult of centuries of evolution. HavingThe Queen in no way binds us to theUnited Kingdom – such a relationshipended long ago. International visits bythe governor general promote Canada’sidentity around the world – I shouldpoint out that such visits are done at therequest of the government of the day(concerns around the costs of theseimportant state functions should bedirected to the government and notRideau Hall).

The Queen of Canada acts as a fixedpoint for our society. Pomp and ceremo-ny – often the target of criticism con-cerning Canada’s monarchy – are a partof any modern state, filling a role thatdirectly benefits its citizenry. Canada’sunique royal traditions (The Opening ofParliament, Royal Visits, Vice-Regalactivities) exist to highlight the Canadianstate and are expected by its citizens.Such events are never about the monar-chy itself, rather the Crown becomes acanvas in which to highlight a particularaspect of our society. Regardless of whatform of government a country has thereis a need for such spectacles – we needonly to look to the United States for proofof this.

The Monarchist League of Canadacalculates that the Canadian Crown costseach citizen $1.53 per annum. All in (in -cluding the governor general and lieu-tenant governors), Canada’s monarchycosts us 50 million dollars – compare thatwith the $150 million spent in one day toinaugurate Barack Obama! The majorityof this money is spent to highlight Can -


BRANCH & MEMBER NEWS IN BRIEFVictoria Chairman Colleen Mills

reports a record attendance at its April25th “Queen’s Tea”, held at BletheringPlace to celebrate of the League’s 40thAnniversary, for which they received akind message from Buckingham Palace...Colleen did interviews for CBC andother media during the visit of Charlesand Camilla, and was privileged to beinvited to the State Dinner at Govern -ment House... Members had good place-ment at the provincial welcome at theParliament Buildings, and many werealso able to secure tickets for the Cath -edral service attended by the Royals...Vancouver Chairman Keith Roy has beenundertaking a great many media inter-views, including light-hearted Entertain -ment TV episodes discussing the Princeof Wales’ relationship with pop musicand personalities Ozzy Osbourne andJay-Z. Keith was a subject of a documen-tary looking at how young people arecoping with the recession. He managedto work the monarchy into his interview– which readers can enjoy at http:// gdp.nfb.ca/episode/1347/royal-occasion... A

large number of Edmonton membersresponded to the Dominion Chairman’smid-May overture as to re-starting abranch in the community; a notice ap -pears in this section to allow membersnot having email to offer their assistance,as well... Calgary members held an en -joyable Dinner meeting at which YouthCoordinator Josh Traptow spoke aboutthe Honours System... He also did alengthy radio interview on AM770 aboutthe process for choosing the new Gov er -nor General... Readers may still be able toaccess it in the vault of the station’s web-site... Regina./S. Saskatchewanmemberswelcomed their new Chairman ScottHazel wood...Winnipeg Chairmen Darcievon Axelstierna is planning to gatherBranch members to welcome The Queenand Prince Philip this summer... mem-bers received electronically an attractivenew e-zine, The Royal News, to keepthem up to date on activities of our Mon -arch and her family... Hamilton mem-bers bid a grateful farewell to long-serv-ing Chairman Sylvia Cook, who remainson the Executive, and hailed Jeffrey

David Langner, with his children –visited Museum of Civilization to review

Royal Stamp exhibit for CMN

LEAGUE NOTES...


Thies sen’s accession to leadership... Tor -onto Branch held many activities in andaround Queen’s Birthday week, includingsponsoring its annual race at WoodbineTrack, and holding a Luncheon at theRCMI with guest speaker Prof RichardToporoski... Kingston Branch hostedChairman Finch, together with hisMother, sister and adorable infantdaughter Alessa, at the annual meeting,this year dubbed a Ruby Tea – fancysandwiches, squares and a celebrationcake – in honour of the League’s 40thAnniversary. Greetings were brought byCouncillor Dorothy Hector representingMayor Harvey Rosen, and by Hon. JohnGerretsen MPP for Kingston & TheIslands... Chairman Finch made “a pas-sionate address” and all in attendancejoin ed in singing “Happy Birthday” toThe Queen... Ottawa Branch also wel-comed the Dominion Chairman at itsVictoria Day Dinner. Chairman Finchspoke on the League’s 40th Anniversaryand presented Silver Medals of Service.Fredericton members mourned thedeath of Nesta Pigot, 98 – she was a long-

time and generous League member whohad journeyed on her own to Toronto inorder to be present at the Luncheon,Cathedral Service and vice-Regal recep-tion in February, 2000, on the occasionof the presentation of the League’sArmorials... The Branch held an Ac ces -sion Brunch on February 6th and at presstime, Chairman Dan Taylor re ports, wasanticipating its Fundraising Victoria DayDinner at the Crowne Plaza LordBeaverbrook Hotel, which he hopes toturn into a provincial event.

Tom Richards

The League’s Silver Badge of Service is present-ed by the Dominion Chairman to longtimeOttawa Branch “Senator” Bill Galbraith at theMay 21 Branch Queen’s Birthday Dinner ad -dressed by Robert Finch.

LEAGUE SEEKS TO RE-ESTABLISH EDMONTON/N. ALBERTA BRANCHDo you live in Edmonton or NorthernAlberta? We have had quite an influxof members, but no activities ormedia spokesman there in recentyears. Branches help give the localslant on matters monarchical to jour-nalists, recruit members, do outreachespecially to young people and newCanadians and generally, support thework of the League. They meet occa-sionally, not monthly, and focus onbeing outward-looking, not satisfiedmembers of a “club” If you would beinterested in helping out, please writeour PO Box or [email protected] us something of your interestand talents – and we will see if theseeds for a Branch emerge. Thank youfor your consideration!

LEAGUE DIRECTORYMemberships, renewals and general inquiriesSecretariat-General:PO Box 1057, Oakville, ON L6J 5E9(800) I’M LOYAL – [email protected] Chairman: Robert Finch(905) 912-0916 – [email protected] Coordinator:Nathan Tidridge – [email protected] Media Coordinator:Alain Bartleman –[email protected]

Branches (B) andContact Groups (C)

(C) Newfoundland: (Acting):Jean Lewis (709) 722-1239

(B) Halifax, Nova Scotia:Helen Wyman (902) 455-8109

(C) Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia:Peter & Lucy Traves (902) [email protected]

(B) Northumberland, Nova Scotia:Olive Pastor (902) [email protected]

(C) South-West Nova, Nova Scotia:Prof. Lester Bartson (902) [email protected]

(B) Saint John, New Brunswick:Marjorie Harrison (506) [email protected]

(B) Fredericton, New Brunswick:Dan Taylor (506) [email protected]

(C) Sussex / King’s County,New Brunswick:Prudence Preeper (506) 432-6713

(C) Montreal, Québec: Dr. Douglass Dalton(514) 845-5908 [email protected]

(B) Ottawa, Ontario:Allan [email protected]

(B) Kingston, Ontario:Mrs Marlene McCracken (613) [email protected]

(B) Queen’s University, Kingston, ON:Craig Draeger [email protected]

(B) Belleville, Ontario (Acting):Audrey Cowan (613) [email protected]

(C) Peterborough, Ontario:Branch Secretary: Marjorie [email protected]

(B) Toronto, Ontario:Doreen Vanini – [email protected]

(B) University of Toronto:Alain Bartleman –[email protected]

(B) Hamilton & District, Ontario:Jeffrey Thiessen (905) [email protected]

(B) Waterloo-Wellington, Ontario:Martin Vierula (519) [email protected]

(B) London, Ontario:Marc Ambrogio [email protected]

(C) Windsor, Ontario:Christopher Lucki(519) 966-5145 [email protected]

(C) NW Ontario: Capt. David Ratz(807) 939-2298 [email protected]

(B) Winnipeg, Manitoba:Darcie Axelstierna(204) 775-5121 [email protected]

(B) Regina & S. Saskatchewan:Scott Hazelwood (306) [email protected]

(B) Saskatoon & N. Saskatchewan:Robin Mowat (306) [email protected]

(B) Calgary, Alberta:Erno Kovacs (Branch Secretary)[email protected]

(C) Northern Alberta:Vacant

(C) Vancouver, British Columbia:Keith Roy (604) 261-8781 or(604) 454-4219 (cell) [email protected]

(B) Victoria, British Columbia:Colleen Mills – [email protected]

(B) Courtenay-Comox Valley,British Columbia:Cary Davis – [email protected]

Monarchist Youth CoordinatorsTom RichardsGraeme ScotchmerDan [email protected]


Review by David Langner

[David Langner is a federal publicservant and member of the MonarchistLeague of Canada who has lived inOttawa most of his life. When he and hiswife are not raising their three children,Dave pursues his interest in world history,Canadian politics, philately, coins andworld flags. – Ed.]

I was fortunate enough to view “HerMajesty’s Stamps”, at the Museum of Civ -il ization in Gatineau, Quebec. Until re -cent ly the collection was only availablefor public viewing once every ten years.Due to the size and value of the collec-tion (which includes every British andCommonwealth stamp), only a smallselection is made available for display.

The collection is normally kept at St.James’s Palace, although during theSecond World War it was stored in thevaults of Lloyd’s Bank. Stamps are kept ineither red, blue or green binders; redbind ers indicate the stamps were ac -quired during the reign of George V, bluefor George VI, and green for Elizabeth II.

Only King George V was an activephilatelist, although Edward VIII hadbeen interested as a youngster. WhileGeorge VI did not consider himself to bea collector, he realized the importance ofthe collection assembled by his father,and ensured it was maintained andexpanded. Our current monarch is also

not an avid collector, but retains interestin the collection. She personally approvespublic exhibits of the collection, and anydisplays outside the United Kingdom.The Queen also approves any stampbear ing her image. Highlights includeseveral Canadian rarities, as well as manyexamples of the first postage stamps – the“Penny Black” and the “Tuppence Blue”,and the fascinating story leading to thecreation of these stamps.

Also on display was the Governmentof Canada’s gift to Queen Victoria mark-ing her Diamond Jubilee: a beautifullybound stamp album containing contem-porary Canadian stamps. The album waspresented to the Duke of York (the futureKing George V); perhaps this Canadiangift help foster the future King’s love ofStamps? On the album’s cover is em boss -ed: Dominion of Canada. The DiamondJubilee Postage Stamps. 22nd June, 1897

In fact, in 1902 the Duke of York wasasked by the Canadian government tohelp design a stamp. He chose the por-trait of King Edward VII, subsequentlyused on our stamps for that year.

As many stamp or coin collectors canconfirm, a little bit of a collector’s soulgoes into creating and maintaining a col-lection. As I viewed “Her Majesty’sStamps”, particularly the earliest stampson display, I could sense King George V’spassion for his collection. It was a re -markable experience!

ROYAL PHILATELIC EXHIBITIONAT OTTAWA MUSEUM by Graeme Scotchmer

[Graeme was the Monarchist League’sIntern in the Suite of His Honour, TheLieutenant Governor of Ontario, duringthe Summer of 2009. In addition to beinga Coordinator of the Young Monarchistgroup for the League, he is a student andtriple-threat athlete at the University ofWestern Ontario in London. – Ed.]

I will never forget my first day arrivingat the Lieutenant Governor’s office.There is a wonderful sandstone staircaseon the west side of Queen’s Park. It is notthe large main south entrance of theParliament Buildings, which is ostenta-tious, grand and formal. This little sideentrance stands opposite the Universityof Toronto campus and has a magic of itsown. A stone canopy protects the stairsthat lead to the private world of imposingunderstatement. Opening the massivedoor, you leave the bustle of Queen’s ParkCircle, the smells of exhaust and thehonking and swerving of taxis and enterthe quiet solemnity and dignity of thevice regal suite. It is an oasis symbolisingthe separation of the legislative and exec-utive power from that of our sovereign.On entering, you are greeted by animposing statue of Queen Victoria in allher glory. Beyond it is the evocativepainting of John Graves Simcoe – thegifted and devoted first lieutenant gover-nor of our province.

Within the first week of my intern-ship, while I was still getting used to theworld of Queen’s Park, the Countess ofWessex, Prince Edward’s wife, arrived ona brief tour of Canada. I had the honourof meeting the Countess briefly, but whatstruck me was the role that she andplayed as a symbolic and ceremonialleader. While she was here she presentedthe tartan to the OPP for their 100thanniversary and is Colonel-in-chief ofthe Lincoln and Welland Regiment.

The highlight of the summer, to besure, was the visit by the Emperor andEmpress of Japan. I had the pleasure ofbeing presented to the Emperor andEmpress and was struck by their graciousdemeanour. I was particularly impressedby the parallels between the CanadianMonarchy and the Japanese monarchyand the continuity that it brings to ourtwo countries

Throughout the summer, I was alsoable to witness some of the more routinetasks that the Crown undertakes.Whether it was a bill that needed RoyalAssent or a cabinet reshuffle, the Premierhad to come to Lieutenant Governor forfinal approval. Seeing the Constitution atwork is actually more exciting than itseems, especially when you witness itfirst hand.

Without a doubt, I learned a great dealduring my internship. As I worked sideby side with the dedicated staff at theLieutenant Governor’s office, I saw howseriously everyone takes their job. It trulyhelped me to understand the role of themonarchy more fully and has encour-aged me to take a more active role in theMonarchist League. Recently, I joinedwith Dan Whaley and Tom Richards asYouth Coordinators for the MonarchistLeague. We are working to encouragemore youth involvement. To that end, weare pleased to report that our YMFacebook page has been a success. All ofus must remember that it is all of our jobsto help the Monarchist League grow.

This summer we celebrate The Queenand the Monarchy. But let us also takesome time to celebrate the MonarchistLeague itself. For forty years the leaguehas defended and preserved the monar-chy in Canada. That is two generationswho have strengthened the role of consti-tutional monarchy, continuity from thepast, and a path to the future. So it is thatI would like to thank all members for theprivilege and honour of working at theoffice of the Lieutenant Governor as anintern last summer.

Graeme Scotchmer addressing AccessionLuncheon on his summer experiences

at Queen’s Park

MY VICE-REGAL SUMMER

In the Next Issue ofCanadian Monarchist News

• Full report on The Queen’s Summer Homecomingto Canada, including Monarchist League members’reminiscences and photos

• Appraisal of Mme Jean’s time at Rideau Hall

• Ignatieff and the Monarchy: where does theOpposition Leader stand?

• Reviews of humorous Royal novellasby Alan Bennett and Emma Tennant


LEAGUE PENA 30th Anniversary League click ballpoint pen innavy with gold lettering and furnishings. Boxed.

MC 172 . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4.00 each, six for $22.00

POSTCARDS — ROYAL COLLECTION

Assortment of Royal postcards from our changingportfolio.

MC9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 cards for $2.50

ROYAL POSTCARD PACKDirect Import from National Portrait Gallery, London,includes 5 cards on high-quality white stock: fromamongst portraits of Prince Charles (Hackney &Orhan); The Princess Royal (Ward), The QueenMother (Kelly), Lord Mountbatten, Queen Victoriapresenting Bibles (Barker) and a Karsh photo of HM& Prince Philip with grandchildren.

MC 154. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 cards for $3.00

Postcards & Stationery

Postage& handlingAdd postage, handling and insurance as follows:

15% to total cost of order, min. $2.00, max. $15.00USA $10.00 extra – Overseas $20.00 extra

MAIL ORDERS TO:P.O. Box 1057,Oakville, Ontario,CanadaL6J 5E9

Specify number andquantity of each item• Include postage• Enclose chequeor money order

• All prices includethe 6% GST

How Item Pricemany number

Descriptioneach

TOTAL

TOTALENCLOSED

Name ___________________________________

________________________________________

Address____________________________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Prov. _________________________________________________________________

Postal Code _____________________________________________________

Sales for Subjects

ROYAL PAPER DOLL BOOKSplendid gowns, crowns and paper uniforms – readyto be coloured and cut out – beautifully produced,ideal gift for all ages.MC38A Royal Family . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.00MC38B Henry VIII . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.00MC38C Elizabeth I. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $6.00MC38D Kings and Queens of Great Britain $6.00

CANADIANHERALDICPRIMER

A whimsical yet thorough treat -ment of the art and science ofCanadian Heraldry, copiouslyillustrated.CMN 183 . . . . . . . . . $12.95 each

QUEEN ELIZABETH THEQUEEN MOTHER 1900-2002A lavishly-illustrated large-sized soft-cover volumeby the well-known Arthur Bousfield and Garry Toffoli,who give a Can adian perspective on a sovereignwho created and cultivated a special relationshipwith Canada, and in whose life Canada alwaysplayed an important part. The authors analyze HerMajesty’s successes and failures, both public andprivate, against the background of a century of vio-lent disruption, material achievement, and incrediblechange.MC 190 special discount price . . . . . . . . . . $16.00

CANADIAN SYMBOLS KIT/CHARTA SYMBOLS OF CANADA booklet with activitysheets explaining our National Symbols – Coats ofArms, stamps, coins, foliage, flags, floral emblems.It includes the CANADIAN SYMBOLS CHART – abeautiful colour double sided Poster which com-bines all symbols: ideal for framing or dry mount.A must for every member to use & distribute.

MC149 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 each

QUEEN MOTHERTHIMBLE –Direct importfrom UKDelicate bone china thimble withgold rim, bearing same colour por-trait and inscription as MC 177MC 178. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.00 each

Books, Booklets & Videos

Commemoratives

FOUR GENERATIONS ROYAL FAMILYSOUVENIR STAMP PANE DIRECTIMPORT FROM UK – 100 only availableThe British Post Office’s Tribute to The QueenMother’s 100th: A full-colour pane (121 X 89 mm)bearing four perforated stamps featuring The QueenMother, The Queen, The Prince of Wales and PrinceWilliam. Includes information card and special enve-lope.MC 179 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00 each

OFFICIAL COLOUR LITHO OF QUEENOfficial Canadian portrait from 2005 Homecoming.See Back Page for complete informationMC 180 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00 to cover. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . mailing tube & postage,additional copies $1.00 each to maximum of five

THE SUBJECT’S Grab BagSurprise assortment of low-stock or dated salesitems worth several times the price!MC24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10.00 the assortment

LEAGUE 40thANNIVERSARYSEALSRuby and gold self-ad hesive seals cele-brate the League’sRuby Anniversary.Great for all your mail, parcels, children’sscrapbooks and dust covers.MC90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 for $3.50

25 for $6.5050 for $10.00100 for $15.00

Useful & Decorative

WONNASCOTTROYAL FAMILYPORTRAIT

Direct import from NationalGallery, UK, depicting fourgenerations of The RoyalFamily

MC 183 . . . . . . . $1.00 each,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 for $5.00

LEAGUE NOTECARDS& POSTCARDS

In response to popular demand, these 43⁄8" x 5 3⁄4"(111 x 146 mm) cards now depict The Queen duringher most recent Canadian Homecoming in 2005 withthe League Arms appearing in a small size above thecontact information at the back of the card. They willremain blank on the inside – thus suitable for Christ -mas or Holiday greetings, and occasional notes.Better-quality envelope included. Postcards are instandard format of same picture.

CMN 189 . . . Individual card/envelope $2.00 each5 cards/envelopes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.5010 for $14.25 – 25 for $33.00 – 50 for $60.00

CMN 143: Postcards: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45¢ each,5 for $2.00, 10 for $3.50

LEAGUE PINA colour enamel badgebearing the shield of theLeague’s Arms, and aproper safety catch.Individually bagged inplastic.MC171. . . . . $7.00 each

Clothing & Jewellery

If you prefer to use your credit card instead of sending us a cheque,simply go to http://www.monarchist.ca/new/donate.html and click on the“donate” button. Follow the prompts to pay via PayPal. Then send an emailwith details of your order to [email protected]. Please do not sendcredit card information by mail as we are not equipped to process it!

CREDIT CARD PAYMENT NOW AVAILABLE

DIRECT FROM UK:Limited supply

PRINCE WILLIAM21st BIRTHDAY STAMPS

Issued by Royal Mail on June 17, 2004 featuringfour recent photos of William

PRESENTATION PACK: Folder contains the 4stamps together with, short biography, 21 pho-tos of William and his ArmsMC 191 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9.00 the pack

STAMP STRIP: The 4 William stamps aloneMC 192 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7.50 the strip

CORONATION ANNIVERSARYSTAMPSSTAMP PANE Issued by Royal Mail, a pane of10 stamps: 5 in colour illustrating the Service, 5in b&w depicting UK celebrationsMC 193 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12.00 the pane

CORONATION POSTCARDSEach of the 10 stamps above presented onstandard-size postcardMC 194 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.50 the set

LEAGUE FLAGS

Faithful to design granted in the League’sArmorial Bearings, including the use of theRoyal Crown approved by Her Majesty TheQueen, produced by The Flag Shop in gold andcrimson. Table/ Mantelpiece size in 70-deniernylon, comes with black stick and igloo-styleblack base.

MC 186 Table/Mantelpiece Flag with base. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.00 each,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 for $50.00

The League will be emailingmembers this summer to

ascertain whether demand existsfor a re-weaving of the larger-sized Flags suitable for flyingoutdoors and/or displaying at

home.

SEE NOTICEON BACK PAGE

LEAGUE EDUCATIONAL BOOKLET

The new full–colour 36-page booklet aboutCanada’s Crown, ideal for distribution to youngand new Canadians, your family, friends, workcolleagues and neighboursMC 197. . . . . . . . . . . $1.00 each, six for $5.00

N

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THE BACK PAGE

RE-WEAVE THE LEAGUE FLAG?Decision to re-issue “flyable” flagsdepends on members’ reaction

As many members are aware, theLeague was granted its Armorials in2000, with the unique privilege ac -corded by The Queen of their incorpo-rating not one but two Royal Crowns.It has long been League policy not totie up significant amounts of funds ininventory for expensive sales items. So

when about seven years ago members began to ask for an actual League flagto be made available for sale, we followed what has been done in recentyears for neckties and note cards, and solicited, first, expressions of interestand subsequently, pre-paid orders. This allowed us to meet demand andkeep a few flags in reserve. The last of these sold out last Winter. (We stillhave ample supplies of the decorative miniature flags for your mantelpieceor table.)With many new members and a fair degree of casual interest expressed,

we have decided to test the market for large flags in one size only – 2 ft x3.5 ft, big enough to be visible if run up a pole or affixed to a building out-doors, yet no so large that most of us couldn’t find it a place in our den,dorm room or elsewhere. We will again be using The Flag Shop as our pro-ducers: they have given excellent service and produced a quality item,recently switching from screen printing to the slightly more expensive dig-ital process. Specs: single sided (mirror image on the reverse side), digital-ly printed onto White 250 denier Dacron (100% polyester) fabric. Flags tobe finished with grommets on the sleeves with four rows of stitching on thefly ends. Double fold hems, double needle stitching, sewn with White PolyBonded thread.For a better view, closer to how the flag appears than the line art above,

you can go to http://www.monarchist.ca/new/symbols.html and scrolldown to see a colour image.Production of the flag is dependent on our receiving at least 25 firm

orders, at a cost of $90 plus our usual shipping fees (see Sales for Subjects).If we received 40 or more orders, the price would decline by about $10. Fornow we are asking only for non-binding expressions of interest. Pleaselet us know your likely requirements by emailing [email protected] orwriting the League at our PO Box address as it appears on the front cover.If the response warrants going ahead, we well get in touch. Thank you foryour support!

TORONTO ARTIST OFFERS ROYALAND/OR PERSONAL PORTRAITSGenerous member offers her talentsto benefit the Monarchist League

Eileen Kohn, of Toronto, is a long-time and loyal member of the League –and a talented artist. Not long ago she wrote Chairman Finch with athought ful offer. She sells drawings of The Queen as depicted here @ $400each (available only sized 20" x 24" on artist’s quality paper), and drawingsof other members of the Royal Family – or indeed any personal requestssuch as family members – at the same price, or $300, $200 or $100 forsmaller sizes. These are executed not on messy charcoal, which doesn’ttravel well, but in “Carbon” pencil, sturdy, black and adhesive. She will givethe League a generous commission on each sale. View her web site atwww.ileenkohn.com

Arrangements are to be made directly between any interested memberand Eileen. You can contact her at [email protected] or by tele-phone at (416) 323-7427.

ATTENTION: ROYAL-WATCHERS!Canadian Monarchist News’ photoand reportage competition during

The Queen’s HomecomingAre you attending a Royal event during The Queen’s summer visit?

Send your pictures of your Royal encounter to [email protected] will be considered for publication, and the best may appear on

a new Monarchist League postcard or sticker series.Particularly wanted: photos showing The Queen in a specificallyCanadian context – such as in the presence of the National Flag,

framed by a Canadian landmark, flanked by Mounties....If you meet The Queen or Prince Philip, or attend a public or

invitation-only Royal event, please send us your account/anecdotesof your Royal encounter.

All photographs and stories suitable for publication will win theirsubmitters a complimentary extension of their Monarchist Leaguemembership – with a grand prize of a free Life Membership

for the best submission.

CONGRATULATIONS TO WINNERS OF OURCHARLES & CAMILLA COMPETITION

A year’s complimentary membership – Brock Weir of Aurora, ONSix month membership extensions – Emily Hansen of Victoria, BC;Karen Hill of Mississauga, ON; Trudie Carrier, of Victoria, BC

Ottawa City Hall MountsRoyal Visit Exhibition May 21-July 5

Another must-see if you’re visitingOttawa to hail The Queen or simply totour our nation’s Capital. See thisexhibit to experience the glamour andsplendour of Ottawa’s royal visits,which is presented through a varietyof artifacts, photographs, regal gifts,film footage and memorabilia. RoyalVisits to Ottawa starts with an 1860visit made by Prince Albert Edward,Prince of Wales (later King EdwardVII), when he laid the cornerstone forthe first Parliament buildings. It con-cludes with the visit made by theEmperor and Empress of Japan in2009. There are many images from1940 to 1945 when the Dutch royalfamily lived here in exile during theSecond World War and PrincessMargriet was born at the Ottawa CivicHospital in 1943. Canada’s Centennial

Year, 1967, features prominently with 11 monarchs or members of royaltycoming to the nation’s capital from many countries, ranging from Ethiopiato Monaco. Presented by the City of Ottawa Archives, this exhibit is a rareopportunity to see and learn about royalty from up close. City Hall ArtGallery 110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa Gallery is open daily from 9 a.m.to 6 p.m. FREE ADMISSION”http://www.ottawa.ca/residents/heritage/archives/exhibits_en.html.Be sure to check out summer activities and concerts at Rideau Hall list-

ed online at http://www.gg.ca/document.aspx?id=164&lan=eng

The Royal Window atThe Queen’s Canadian Home

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