Canadian Monarchist News Spring 2021
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Canadian Monarchist News Les Nouvelles Monarchiques du Canada Spring/Printemps 2021 — No. 50 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 – 51th ANNIVERSARY 1970-2021 ELIZABETH II at 95 our Queen, Friend & Head of the Nation PAYETTE DEPARTURE DAMAGING L.A. CELEB CULTURE FOR HARRY, IN THRALL TO OPRAH QUEEN, CHARLES, CAMILLA, WILLIAM, CATHERINE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNORS DO THEIR DUTY Report and commentary by The Monarchist League of Canada here are two distinct kinds of celebrity these days. One is occasionally distorted by sensation-seeking media pandering to Tself-seeking, often financially rewarding, embraced and en- an under-informed audience. Happily, the long arc of history abled by even “serious” media. Frequently it is also selfish, and sober second thought dub it valuable for humans and civi- short-lived and shallow. lizations alike as the stuff of lasting happiness, the bulwark of The other is selfless, not focused on monetary gain, more than greatness. So, let’s ask a few questions. THE PAYETTE FIASCO: DAMAGING TO OUR CROWN Who on earth briefed Julie pols and bureaucrats over the and so on ad nauseam. In the birthplace nor its roots, maybe Payette as to the expectations years to permit the “Household” restrictive climate of isolated it’s time for a new one. that apply to any Governor Gen- at Rideau Hall to become a re- house holds, COVID-restrictions, Not that much considered eral, yet still allow plenty of volving door, with employment fatigue and worry, rumour and re publican opinion exists that room for particular enthusiasms eventually the locus of abusive, sensation abound and gain a cur- The Queen’s 95th and a Platinum and causes? If indeed “someone” unhappy behaviour recently doc- rency beyond proportion. Jubilee might not remedy: true, did so, how could the message umented in excruciating detail? Then, too, a fallback argument yet shallow in implication. And have been so misunderstood? How could a clearly brave, tal- of some monarchists has been the mere notion of an Aus- Who did due diligence prior to ented and intelligent woman for “Well, if you don’t care for the tralian-style debate/re ferendum her selection, no great talent in whom the country initially wish- ‘British’ roots of our Monarchy, down the road is appal ling – as HR being needed to suggest it ed only success, and which ad- in fact day-to-day it is our fellow Canada would then be reduced to might begin with recent employ- mired her journeying through Canadians, the GG and LGs, who enduring a permanently-dimin- ers. And who imagined that al- the vast depths of space, have “are” the Crown.” Clearly, if the ished and partisanally-de bated lowing her to import her Private been allowed to steer her Ottawa Royal soap opera is unappealing Monarchy in a state of endless Secretary into the particular cul- course so off-chart? And what is for some, to find its supposedly- controversy, a so called “Crown - ture once a source of pride at the plan to rebuild the deraci- worst feature transplanted by ed Republic” a term used by Rideau Hall could end happily? nated and depopulated talent scandal at home is anything but some Down Under “monar- What indifference caused many pool at Rideau Hall? The lack of helpful. Logic then follows: if the chists” who should know better! a seasoned, loyal team to run The system is not ideal in either its Queen’s Canadian Home was a recipe for any GG to run into problems. Remediating that ab- McCOWAN NAMED GG SECRETARY sence is as important as choosing Jan 28 saw the Prime Minister tence to enable the next Gover- “the right” person to represent bring new leadership “to restore nor General to share particular our Sovereign. There is good rea- a healthy work environment” at interests while conforming to son to believe that newly-ap- Rideau Hall by plucking Ian Mc- the dignity, norms and historic pointed Secretary to the Gover- Cowan from a senior position at expectations of anyone who rep- nor General Ian McCowan is the Privy Council Office to be- resents The Queen. well equip ped for the enormous come Secretary to the Governor challenge facing him. General. Ottawa insiders praised The Payette fiasco is damaging the appointment, calling him “a to the Canadian Crown for sev- good fit” – “intimately acquainted Julie Payette: let down eral reasons, beginning with folk with the ways of Ottawa, he can Queen and country wondering how the appointment call anyone and get action imme- could go do wrong, and asking diately,” Considered probably the whether even the government best qualified to serve since the thinks it is of little importance? revered Esmond Butler, his early As well, knowledge of Civics, recruitment to Rideau Hall of while improved since the sixties former staffers from the halcyon and seventies, remains lament - days of David Johnston augured ably shallow, and allows for a well, as does his good under- worried citizenry, egged on by standing of the personal role he no-nothing media and their has to play as Secretary. It is “polls”, to declare the Monarchy hoped that McCowan restores a irrelevant, the sky about to fall high level of loyalty and compe- 2 – Canadian Monarchist News – Spring/Printemps 2021 left, Oprah: allowed allegations without names WHY DO WE FEEL SO CONFLICTED ABOUT HARRY? above, Harry – once our Harry! The Royals mirror our own fami- brother and their wives. grandmother yet implying she pre- lies, wherein we have favourite sib- So, with his Grandfather gravely sides over but unaware of some lings and loved elders, along with ill, the world rocked by COVID, the racist conventicle. She who has been unique rituals and hallowed tradi- sacrifices to “normal” life being em- the soul of the multi-racial Com- tions, all jockeying for place with braced by his family and the Realms, monwealth, with countless Black naughty uncles and unemployed how could he have allowed himself Prime Ministers, many having em- cousins. And not infrequently a dot- on Commonwealth Sunday, no less, erg ed from colonial rule, esteeming ing parent will “excuse” a child’s to become part of Oprah’s travelling her as confidante and friend. And fault, a loving granny slip him a few circus of celebrity, with Canada ret- Oprah – hitherto a much-admired bucks and his kin agree that the rospectively nothing more than a interviewer of substance – abandon- (5th) job or the (3rd) wife will surely way-station on the road to Holly- ing journalistic standards in favour be his salvation. Love is wonderful, wood? of mutual tear-shedding; giving vir- foregiveness admirable and patience At once both hurtful to our Royal tually nary a tough challenge to the the gift of the saints. Family and injurious to the Crown endless references to “they said”, However, most of us are not in a way that made the peregrina- “them”, “the firm” and other un - saints – secular or sacred. tions of a sad Duke of Windsor seem identified objects of criticism; not to Harry, O Harry. We will never as nothing by comparison, the man- mention adding supposed cuteness forget that brave boy – our brave boy ifesting of grievance culture on US by doting on the now best-known – walking the long and lonely miles television by two children of privi- chickens in California. Pace Win- behind his Mother’s coffin, so alone lege, at least one of whom should ston: Some chickens! But whose even as billions watched. The have known better, is lamentable. necks were actually being wrung? Hooray Henry years succeeded Let’s be clear about one thing: We’ll opine one likely result of quickly by heroism, the maturity to any one who says she feels depressed this woeful misadventure: greatly- give up the in-theatre military ser- or suicidal should be listened to, be- increased odds on Barbados deter- vice he loved so that his mates lieved and found professional help. mining that its future lies in becom- would not be threatened. The deep However, the narrative of how these ing a republic. Of course that is for concern of all he had learned encap- feelings were apparently not dealt Barbadians to decide. Many of the sulated in his founding the Invictus with is beyond belief – Harry says island monarchies across the Carib - Games. Our pride at his Canadian he was “ashamed” to confide in his bean have at different times con- courtship, where he could move family. In other words, his amour pro- templated what Barbados is calling through Toronto streets freely, buy pre trumped his duty to his wife? the end of the colonial era, but none a panini at the local Italian bakery Any other resource failing, he could has acted on it. One might imagine and spend a weekend without the have gone to his father, his brother, various scenarios leading such a intrusion of media. The happiness at his grandmother – and in short country to ditch the Crown: an au- his marriage, bi-racial and bi-conti- order the best medical assistance thoritarian leader bent on accruing nental, set to stand for a new normal would have been procured. untrammelled power; a scandal at of diversity and devotion, perfect The rest was deplorable: a farrago the vice-regal level; perception of for his role as Commonwealth Am- of venting, of slamming family in Royal indifference to a natural dis- bassador.