Elizabeth II, By the Grace of God of the United Kingdom, Canada and Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/commemoration-her-majesty-the-queen/honouring-her-majesty.html
| Notice of Half-masting | Masting period: From now until sunset on the day of the memorial service of Her Majesty the Queen. | Occasion: DEATH OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II | Masting location(s): All Government of Canada buildings and establishments in Canada and abroad, including the Peace Tower. | Additional details:
As per the Rules for Half-masting the National Flag of Canada (Section 1) Note: The National Flag of Canada is hoisted completely on the day on which the accession of the new monarch is proclaimed (date to be determined). |
In the 17th year of her reign, I was born: this is now the 70th year of her accession.
The simplest of toys of early childhood: a crayon, a piece of paper and a coin would magically produce many tiny portraits of a nice lady.
Postage stamps, one-, two-, and twenty dollar bills, teacups, medallions and cookie tins carried many variations of her image.
Our school classrooms also had a large photograph of her, the same one usually seen in the post office, the local council chambers, the Legion and in the municipal arena.
In Cub Scouts, we promised to do our duty to The Queen, and later when entrusted to carry mail, we did swear to be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II...
My favourite marmalade, tea, HP Sauce and even car metal polish bear the inscription: "by appointment to Her Majesty..."
You know it is Christmas time, if the Queen is on TV at noon!
The laws of our country all begin with the preamble: "Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows..."
The crown is seen on our highway markers, on our police badges, in the coats of arms in courts and on government buildings...so many schools, gardens, city streets and public buildings are named for her, our highway maps bear the marks of "The Queen's Printer," topographic maps and nautical charts are all copyright Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in right of Canada.
We learned to sing God Save the Queen in public school, we sang it on parade in the St-John Ambulance Brigade, we sang it at innumerable Remembrance Day ceremonies, and we prayed it in the Anglican Church.
Those of us who were fortunate, got to experience the Queen's presence in person, toured her official residences in Quebec or Ottawa, saw her actual signature in the guestbook for the opening of the St-Lawrence Seaway or witnessed her son riding into the Port of Toronto on board the Royal Yacht Britannia.
We went to the Royal Winter Fair, the Royal Ontario Museum, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Royal Botanical Gardens...
You may not have to look very far to find some influence of Her Majesty in your own life. As a nation we admired and loved the person who, in a rapidly changing world, represented the best of service, duty and devotion. She is a romantic link to historical tradition and a quiet authority that balances the rises and falls of political fashion to provide the stability and peace that we have enjoyed in many Commonwealth countries for generations. A traditional ally and friend of our indigenous peoples, the Commander-In-Chief of our Armed Forces, leader of the Commonwealth, a servant of the people, a wife, a mother, a counsellor, an inspiration.
While often celebrated by many around the world, the Queen's Day of Accession was actually a somber day of reflection on the death of her own father. After losing her father, her mother and her beloved husband, I hope and pray that she is now able to rest in peace in the presence of our Lord, held up in the knowledge that so many in this world loved and admired her.
From now on, whenever we celebrate the accession of King Charles III, I think that we ought to first take a moment to tip our hearts to the memory of our beloved Queen.
LONG LIVE THE KING!