The King is Dead

Dateline: Sandringham, February 6, 1952

King George VI, the man who saved the UK from Nazi annihilation, has died at Sandringham, his country estate.  His majesty spent the previous day hunting with Lord Fermoy, afterwards playing with his grandchildren Charles and Anne before dining with his daughter Margaret.  The king later died in his sleep.  

News of the events at Sandringham were slow to reach the new queen. Elizabeth and her husband Phillip were vacationing at a game resort in Kenya, then one of the remotest parts of the world, during a tour of the Commonwealth.  

Granville Roberts, a reporter for The East African Standard, was covering the royal tour when he heard the news of the King's death via Reuters, and informed the queen's private secretary, who then alerted Phillip's. Assured the news was accurate, the Prince was informed, and it was he who informed the Queen.  

The first photo of the Queen

Arrangements to return to London were quickly made.  The bulk of the queen's luggage had already been sent along to her next planned stop on the tour, including the customary mourning outfit, that all royals and heads of state travel with.  The queen's floral dresses wouldn't do upon arrival in London.

 During an unscheduled landing due to weather in north Africa, arrangements were made to meet the plane in London with the appropriate clothing for the Queen and Prince.  Once properly attired, the Queen and Prince Phillip emerged to assume their new lives.

The King is Dead, God save the Queen.

Toad  

God save the Queen

While Britain celebrates their Queen's Diamond Jubilee this weekend may I offer several Queenly items you may not have been aware of? I thank Time Magazine for the complete list.

Her real birthday is April 21.

Were you aware the Queen is fluent in French?

Since 1952 the Queen has confered over 404,000 honors and awards. She has personally held 610 investitures.

Elizabeth is the 40th monarch since William the Conqueror.

In 2002 Elizabeth at 76 was the oldest monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee. The youngest was James I aged 51.

She has been served by 12 British Prime Ministers. Tony Blair was the first PM born while she was Queen. 12 US Presidents have held office during her reign as have 6 Catholic Popes and 6 Archbishop's of Canterbury.

In the past 60 years she has undertaken 261 official overseas visits, including 96 state visits to 116 countries.

Elizabeth is the first British Monarch to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary.

In a typical year she hosts 50,000 people at dinner, banquets, luncheons, etc at Buckingham Palace.

She has sat for 129 official portraits.

She has owned at least 30 Corgi's, has introduced a new breed a Dorgi (dachshund/corgi), and since 1911 the monarch has also maintained a line of black Labs-the Sandringham line as well as Cocker Spaniels.

Elizabeth is patron to at least 600 charities and foundations.

She is one busy gal.

God save the Queen.

Toad

What would the Queen wear?

From our friends at Graphjam.com

I envy the stamina and dedication to duty the Queen of England has. Every day, same stuff different day, it's got to grate at some point, yet she puts on her smile and faces the crowds day after day.

Having dolts for children may be her worst failing, one of the few occasions she let down the side. Britain has survived worse than Charlie, hopefully they will survive him as well.

Vogue chased the Queen down to finally put paid to the question of what colours does HM favor for her public outings. The answer?

4% Yellow

11% Green

29% Blue

10% Purple

11% Cream

10% Pink

4% Red

4% Orange

13% Floral

2% Black

1% Checked

1% Beige

Now you know too.

toad

The King is Dead, Long Live the Queen

On this day in 1952 British King George VI died at Sandringham. Two days later the Accession Council met and Elizabeth, by "consent of tongue and heart", is declared Queen. She was crowned on June 2, 1953. Sixty years on, she's still at it. God save the Queen.

Toad

The Finishing Touch

Have you ever wondered why mens suit and sport coats have an open pocket at the left breast? It's sole function is to display a pocket square, a finishing touch.

Most American men avoid this contrivance, no well dressed man ever does. An attentive dresser will return home to retrieve his hank should he discover it missing. So what about the President?

Presidents are generally wealthy men, accustomed to wearing bespoke clothing. They are advised and fitted by the best tailors the world has to offer, schooled in the subtle messages that good clothing offers. Yet, most American Presidents tend to dress down to meet the sartorial standards of their countrymen, albeit somewhat expensively. For further insight search out Tom Wolfe's piece on LBJ's trip to Savile Row (The Secret Vice). American men are afraid of flash.

So the Prez and his bride went to London to drop off the Queen's birthday present. As expected, Mr. O is decked out in his best blue suit,white shirt, dull tie, sans pocket linen.

How much better would he look dressed up complete with linen? Allow Prince William to show him how it's done well. Navy suit, white shirt, regimental tie, pocket square.

My fellow Americans a bit of color is nothing to fear. Photos from The Preppy Princess.

Toad