I had a dream last night and in it Queen Elizabeth II appeared in her Royal Robes. In particular, I wondered about ermine and its white coat. Ermines are a type of weasel with white fur and a black-tipped tail - that's their winter coat. The black-tipped tail takes on great meaning in heraldry.
The Queen's coronation robes featured precious materials including: silk, mantua, satin, damask, sarsnet, cloth-of-gold and ermine. Needlework is of the finest detail. An encyclopaedic knowledge of the symbolism and history of previous coronations ensures that the coronation robe embraces modernity whilst paying respectful homage to centuries of tradition.
This comes from the website that supplies these special robes to Sovereigns, Peers, and others since 1689. Ede & Ravenscroft says the tradition has barely changed in 1,000 years.
"Ede & Ravenscroft is proud to hold all three Royal Warrants, an honour shared by only a small number of other companies.
We are currently appointed as robe makers and tailors to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and robe makers for both His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales."
Isn't this the most beautiful photo from their website?
And what transpires from all this pomp and circumstance? It becomes the source of satire with Blackadder and his Ermine coat in the episode "Dish and Dishonesty".
Here's the summary: "Blackadder purchases an expensive robe which he believes to be made of ermine fur. Then, however, he discovers a feline's collar decorating the coat which is inscribed with the words "If found, please return to Emma Hamilton, Marine Parade, Portsmouth". Infuriated, Blackadder announces that he is going to a costume party dressed as "Lady Hamilton's pussy!"
Our flower of the day is Echinacea, with the common name Coneflower. This one was at Cole's Garden Centre.
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