J.M. Reflections/Réflexions J.M. : Victoria Day, the Monarchy and Yankee scones.

I am a cautious monarchist. I respect the institution and accept Her Majesty Elizabeth II as our Queen and head of state. The elitism of the institution however unsettles me, as does the behaviour of some of the more staunch monarchists. Their adoration often borders on obsession, and even more often appears as buffoonish and tacky, two things I highly doubt members of The House of Windsor set out to be.

This evening, CBC Radio devoted the entire broadcast of The World at Six to the state of the monarchy. We are in the waning hours of Victoria Day here in Canada, our first warm-weather long weekend of the spring when we still honour the woman who was Queen when our Dominion was founded though she died in 1901. The occasion is also used to mark the birthday of our current Queen, Her Majesty Elizabeth II (ERII). Her birthday was April 21^st, but it’s just too cold and miserable still in much of the country then to have a long weekend of camping then. The World at Six broadcast was interesting, but I was left wondering what real news took place throughout the world today while our national broadcaster’s flagship news programme featured such pressing issues like why Prince George is not seen in public more often and an interview with a Winnipeg baker who recently sold Empire Cookies with pink frosting in honour of the birth of Princess Charlotte. Wasn’t there famine, drought, war, pestilence, and corruption going on anywhere in the world today?

I realized there was nothing in the cupboard for dessert, except a scone mix. The idea struck me; what better way to honour Victoria Day than tea and scones? The product itself reflected the irony, anachronism, and quirkiness with which the faded British Empire and its descendant Commonwealth are characterized. While nascent republics of Africa and Asia still send their leaders to Commonwealth conferences attended by ER II, I was making scones from a mix produced by the ironically named King Arthur Flour Company. King Arthur Flour is a venerable company that produces excellent flour and baking products. It was founded in 1790, just 22 years after the American Revolution and is located in Norwich, Vermont. The foundation of my scones came from a company named after one of England’s most storied Kings, located in a village named after a place in England, but in a country that turfed the crown and went on its own 239 years ago. It was right around that time that a group of my ancestors who thought George III wasn’t so bad fled for what became Upper Canada so they could keep their positions of social and financial privilege. All that remains of that social and financial privilege now is a fancy vault in a Hamilton Ontario cemetery.

The scones taste great. The tea accompanying them hopefully redeems me from the treason any militant monarchists reading this may be accusing me of. It’s from Taylor’s of Harrogate, Yorkshire, which I believe carries the Royal Warrant of His Royal Highness, Charles, Prince of Wales, and future face of postage stamps and banknotes.

ER II is now 89 years old. Her reign will soon eclipse that of Victoria. That in itself is worth a scone from the Thirteen Colonies and a cup of tea from Yorkshire. With the utmost sincerity, God Save The Queen!

Photos of my Yankee scones. Click upon the photo for a larger version;