A new crown for Canada?

[Prince of Chota]

Look at the examples of the Russian and Austrian crowns.

Much older crowns used half-arches for emperors (Crown of the Holy Roman Empire), but after the 16th century and the inflation of royal titles to "Majesty", this changed.

[PrinceOfCanada]

Ahh, thank you for the correction.

[Prince of Chota]

Of course, maybe HM could become "Empress of Canada"...have a Windsor be Queen-Empress again. Hahaha...Canada is the second largest country in terms of area, isn't it?

[Mermaid1962]

Well, given that Canada's originally made up of two European nations (Britain and France) plus all the First Nations (aboriginals), I think that Empress is an appropriate term as well.

Originally Posted by Prince of Chota

Of course, maybe HM could become "Empress of Canada"...have a Windsor be Queen-Empress again. Hahaha...Canada is the second largest country in terms of area, isn't it?

[PrinceOfCanada]

Sadly, I think any change would prompt a bunch of mouthbreathers screaming for a republic. Pity.

Also, while I think 'Empress' sounds beautifully regal, I find 'Emperor' to be.. I don't know, a little too autocratic in flavour.

[Mermaid1962]

That's my feeling as well, Prince. Best to let sleeping Royal dogs lie...and I'm not talking about corgies.

Originally Posted by PrinceOfCanada

Sadly, I think any change would prompt a bunch of mouthbreathers screaming for a republic. Pity.

[Fashionista100]

I think Maple leaves would be good. Of course a white and red motiff would be good too. If you were to do something that represented each provence then maybe carve a cameo like pieces like the Swedish tiara. Then of course you could incorporate berries, flowers etc. there is a lot to choose from.

[wbenson]

Rare use is hardly an argument for not making a crown. The Queen Mother's was only used three times (her coronation, her daughter's coronation (minus the arches), and her funeral)!

[Prince of Chota]

Obviously it would do a lot of sitting around in Ottowa, but it might actually be worth it. There could be a competition for the design among Canadian artists, which would be very interesting itself. It could really be a step toward bringing the monarchy into the 21st century,--a study in what a crown means today.

[PrinceOfCanada]

Exactly. Of course, given the general historical trend in hideous Canadian public art, there would need to be some really, really strict guidelines. E.g., must look like an actual crown, must be made of precious metals, must not be made of rotting meat, etc.

[jcbcode99]

What a wondeful idea! Canada should have a crown--and I do believe that maple leaves alternating with some other element would be wonderfully appropriate. I am reminded of the Oak Leaves and acorn tiara which the Duke of Norfolk had created for his bride, Gwendolyn Constable--I have a picture, but no scanner. The Injustice! The design is lovely, although it is a tiara not a crown, it gives a lovely image of diamond leaves.
The crown should not be overly large--but it need not be small, either. I'm envisioning something like the piece HM wears to the opening of Parliament--that's beautiful.
As for an orb--we must have one. Something simple, with simple lines of jewels running about the piece.

[Warren]

Can I help? Illustration services to the rescue.
I'm sure a better photo would make it less brown and more glittering, but diamonds are hard to photograph to do them justice.

Norfolk Oak Leaves & Acorns Diamond Tiara

(discussed in Janet's post above)
.

[jcbcode99]

Warren, I can always count on you and your wonderfully extensive library to illustrate or clarify something for me! YOU, Warren, are the GEM!
I do love this piece--the acorns especially. It is truly a magnificant piece of workmanship. I would love to see someone wearing it.

[Thomas Parkman]

No, NO, NO , NOOOOOO!!!!!! It must be an absolutely traditional crown with orb and scepter. The whole point, which everybody seems to forget, the monarchy is an atavistic institution. Which is the whole point. It is the celebration of centuries, indeed millenia of dare I say it, tribal unity. The enduring of a civilization and its values and institutions for dozens of generations. The crown is an outward symbol of that unity.

I personally am delighted that Canada has a diamond mine. Surely there must be more out there somewhere. I also know that they have emeralds. Now we must dig up some rubies and sapphires and we will be in business. I guess we will have to import the pearls. Cheers.

[PrinceOfCanada]

Originally Posted by Thomas Parkman

No, NO, NO , NOOOOOO!!!!!! It must be an absolutely traditional crown with orb and scepter. The whole point, which everybody seems to forget, the monarchy is an atavistic institution. Which is the whole point. It is the celebration of centuries, indeed millenia of dare I say it, tribal unity. The enduring of a civilization and its values and institutions for dozens of generations. The crown is an outward symbol of that unity.

I agree in theory, but the fact is that Canada is a much more determinedly multicultural society than almost anywhere else in the world. Our national identity is a mosaic; that of the USA for example is a melting pot.

So we should stay away from overtly Christian symbolism and be more inclusive. It's what we do up here :)

I personally am delighted that Canada has a diamond mine. Surely there must be more out there somewhere. I also know that they have emeralds. Now we must dig up some rubies and sapphires and we will be in business. I guess we will have to import the pearls. Cheers.

I don't think we would.. there are massive oyster beds in PEI for example.

[Thomas Parkman]

And who, pray, is going to be diving into the Gulf of St. Lawrence looking for pearls. That water gets COLD. I would have thought that by now there would have been pearl fishing if it were feasable. But it seems not. I still say stick a cross on the contraption, it is simply a way to display more diamonds if nothing else. And there are no Christians in Canada????

[PrinceOfCanada]

There are, of course; I believe that Christianity (all denominations) is the majority religious group in Canada. That doesn't really mean anything, though. The cross pattee is an exclusively and overtly Christian symbol, and thus excludes those of other faiths. Remember of course that while HM is the titular head of the Anglican church, there is no established church in Canada.

[Prince of Chota]

The only way to get a crown for Canada without causing a fuss would be to sort of sneak one in between monarchs, for example the first time that the next sovereign visits the country, etc. Otherwise, the Republicans really would throw a fit.

[wbenson]

A new military medal shows the Queen wearing a (fictional) diadem with alternating maple leaves and snowflakes.

[Warren]

Umm, the tiara is novel but I must say that the likeness is poor and not up to the usual standard of coinage likenesses (or at least those we have in Australia).