The Queen - or a strong likeness, at least - is coming to Port Coquitlam this weekend for a high tea hosted by the Royal Society of St. George (RSSG).
It was 60 years ago that Princess Elizabeth ascended to the throne to become Queen Elizabeth II and tomorrow (Saturday), "she" will be celebrating her diamond jubilee with RSSG members at the Royal Canadian Legion in Port Coquitlam, complete with dainties and preserves.
Outside in the parking lot, there will be a street party for everyone to enjoy, featuring a beer garden, barbecue, clowns and live pipe band music, along with dancing and face painting.
Jayne Boyer, a Nottingham native who started the local chapter of the RSSG last year, was only two years old when the queen took the throne but she's enjoying celebrating the milestone.
"After 60 years, she's still an incredible monarch," Boyer said of the now 85-year-old queen.
And despite all the upheaval - both on the global stage and, closer to home, the break-up of several marriages within her own family and the death of her former daughter-in-law, Princess Diana - Boyer admires the queen's ability to maintain her dignity and poise while keeping the Commonwealth together.
"It makes me very proud to be British, and very proud to be Canadian since 1994," Boyer said.
"But I'm really still a British person at heart, which is why I live in British Columbia," she joked.
She started the local RSSG chapter to connect with fellow Brits, and the group has already hosted a trivia night and a special lunch featuring traditional English fare.
The high tea is at the Royal Canadian Legion in Port Coquitlam (2675 Shaughnessy St.) from 12:45 to 3 p.m. Tickets are $8, available at the Legion's front desk. Call 604-942-8911 for more info.
