Canadian Monarchist News Les Nouvelles Monarchiques du Canada Summer/Été 2020 — No. 48 An occasional Newsletter for members and friends of The Monarchist League of Canada The Monarchist League of Canada / La Ligue Monarchiste du Canada, PO Box 1057, Lakeshore West PO, Oakville, Ontario, Canada L6K 0B2 905-855-7262 (800) 465-6925 www.monarchist.ca THE MONARCHIST LEAGUE OF CANADA – 50th ANNIVERSARY 1970-2020 QUEEN, ROYALS & VICE-REGALS SUPPORT AND RE-ASSURE CANADIANS DURING PANDEMIC “You really want to give people a hug” – Charles n a classic example of the ability Iof constitutional monarchy to use its unique place in the nation to provide personal, non-partisan sup- port in time of trouble, Canada’s Queen; the Royal Family (most no- tably Charles, William and their re- spective spouses); and their vice- regal representatives throughout the nation have undertaken a variety of initiatives over recent months when so many Canadians have felt fear, experienced loneliness, borne un- usual burdens and lived in isolation. The Queen, setting an example by sheltering with Prince Philip and a reduced household at Windsor, fol- low ed her world-wide broadcast to the Commonwealth with a message specifically directed to Canadians, and later made unprecedented Easter and VE-Day Anniversary broadcasts and a special expression of sympa- continued on page 2 One of the Cambridges’ many frank and encouraging messages from Amner Hall ◄Vice-regals act even when public ceremony impossible: His Honour & Mme LeBlanc mark V-E Anniversary in moving silent tribute outside Government House, Halifax Message from Her Majesty The Queen to the people of Canada on the COVID-19 pandemic William and Catherine have shar - The Queen’s representatives in April 5, 2020 ed with diverse targeted audiences Canada have also been active, most As the people of Canada experience profound and rapid their own challenges dealing with notably the Governor General whose changes to their lives, we are all concerned about the future. their homebound children, not so office has significant resources and a It may be difficult to remain hopeful when faced with loss very different from those experi- national reach that inevitably allows and uncertainty, but Canadians have many reasons for enced by parents everywhere. The for greater visibility and breadth of optimism, even in the most trying times. Daily Telegraph reported April 11 that programming in the circumstances Across Canada, countless people continue to care for the Prince George, Princess Charlotte than are possible for the Lieutenant most vulnerable and to provide essential services for their and Prince Louis have been tricked Governors. But simple actions can fellow citizens. I am thankful for their dedication and for the into keeping their routine going speak volumes, as was shown when hope it offers. during the school holidays, their Their Honours the Lieutenant Gov- In the coming weeks and months, the people of Canada parents joked. ernor of Nova Scotia and Mme. will need to continue to work together to ensure the health Asked how home-schooling was LeBlanc, in a year where public cer- and vitality of our communities. I know that Canadians will going, the Duke agreed wryly that it emony marking the 75th Anniver- remain optimistic and will rise to the challenges ahead. was “fun”. “It’s been ups and downs sary of VE Day was impossible, mov - My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Canada probably like lots of families self- ed many across Canada by the at this time. isolating,” said the Duchess. “George simple dignity of standing in silent Elizabeth R is much older than Louis is but they tribute outside Government House, are aware, I’m always surprised. And Halifax. Message de Sa Majesté la Reine although you don’t want to scare In the great tradition of Gover- au peuple canadien sur la pandémie de COVID-19 them and make it too overwhelm- nors General calling attention to le 5 avril 2020 ing, I think it is appropriate to ac- issues of national importance, Mme Alors que le peuple canadien connait des changements knowledge it in the simple ways and Payette has shrugged off the silly, profonds et rapides dans son quotidien, nous sommes tous age appropriate ways. Someone gave sexist criticism of Barbara Kay (about préoccupés par ce que l’avenir nous réserve. Il peut être me some very good advice, re the her wearing a track suit) and been difficile de garder l’espoir face aux pertes et à l’incertitude, holidays, to fit some structure to organizing stimulating virtual con- mais les Canadiens ont de nombreuses raisons d’être keep to a pretty strict routine. Don’t versations in this time of pandemic optimistes, même dans les moments les plus difficiles. tell the children, we’ve actually kept to which we can all listen, then re- À travers le Canada, d’innombrables personnes continuent it going through the holidays. I feel flect upon. Mme Payette knows a de prendre soin des plus vulnérables et de fournir les services very mean. It’s just having that bit of thing or two about science, so her essentiels à leurs concitoyens. Je suis reconnaissante de leur structure and it’s great there are so imaginative outreach has been espe- dévouement et de l’espoir qui en découle. many great tips online and fun ac- cially credible during the pandemic. Au cours des semaines et des mois à venir, le peuple tivities that you can do with the Appreciated initiatives include: canadien devra continuer à travailler collectivement pour children. It hasn’t all been hard- • CANADIANS HELPING CANADIANS assurer la santé et la vitalité de nos communautés. Je sais que core.” (www.gg.ca/en/activities/2020/ les Canadiens resteront optimistes et relèveront les défis à There has been time for a lighter canadians-helping-canadians) venir. touch, too – The Queen’s chefs Mes pensées et mes prières accompagnent le peuple du plung ed happily (without taking • CARING NATION Canada en cette période. sides) into the great controversy (www.gg.ca/en/caring-nation) Elizabeth R. about whether on a scone jam tops • and especially clotted cream or vice versa! And GGCONVERSATIONS, members of the Royal Family sup- www.gg.ca/en/ggconversations which PANDEMIC... continued from page 1 WORTH WATCHING/ ported the first “virtual” Chelsea bring together the GG with interesting READING thy to Canadians in the wake of the Flower Show by speaking of their thinkers, from Cathy Crowe to A Message from the Prince of mass murder in Nova Scotia. own favourite flowers. Adrienne Clarkson. Wales: www.facebook.com/ The Prince of Wales (who had TheBritishMonarchy/videos/ 632271470927684/ shaken off a mild form of the virus) The Queen’s Easter Message: April 11, 2020 Charles on the Virus and the Arts – and Camilla have similarly been two one-hour programs on Classic busy, speaking of their concerns, The Queen, who normally speaks to matters of faith only in her annual Christmas FM, including some of his favourite with Charles’ memorably casting music and a piano concerto he Message, has used the occasion of the pandemic to issue her first Easter Message, commissioned in memory of his light – in a pair of radio programs – which is both Christian in its origin but nevertheless importantly relevant to all. grandmother, The Queen Mother as to how the Pandemic is wreaking www.classicfm.com/music- One memorable passage: “As dark as death can be – particularly for those suffering news/exclusive-programmes- havoc on the Arts generally, espe- with grief – light and life are greater.” prince-of-wales/ cially the already-challenged world of classical music, and promising to Many religions have festivals which celebrate light overcoming darkness. ARE YOU AN help lead the world in “a great re- Such occasions are often accompanied by the lighting of candles. They seem ENTHUSIASTIC set” after the Pandemic. Movingly to speak to every culture, and appeal to people of all faiths, and of none. GARDENER? speaking from Birkhall in Scotland They are lit on birthday cakes and to mark family anniversaries, when we Send us an email at domsec@ gather happily around a source of light. It unites us. sympatico.ca if you would like a June 4, he told journalists how he report of the “virtual” Chelsea missed seeing his family, notably As darkness falls on the Saturday before Easter Day, many Christians Flower Show’s Royal response the Duke of Edinburgh and his would normally light candles together. In church, one light would pass to to the question “What is your favourite flower?” grand children: another, spreading slowly and then more rapidly as more candles are lit. It’s a Of the Duke of Edinburgh, who way of showing how the good news of Christ’s resurrection has been passed celebrated his 99th birthday on June on from the first Easter by every generation until now. 10th and is at Windsor Castle, he This year, Easter will be different for many of us, but by keeping apart we add ed: “Well I haven’t seen my father keep others safe. But Easter isn’t cancelled; indeed, we need Easter as much for a long time. He’s going to be 99 as ever. The discovery of the risen Christ on the first Easter Day gave his next week, so yes, or my grand- followers new hope and fresh purpose, and we can all take heart from this. children or anything. I’ve been do - We know that Coronavirus will not overcome us. As dark as death can be – ing the Facetime, is all very well particularly for those suffering with grief – light and life are greater.