Royal watchers are flying the Union Jack on the streets of London Thursday, as the city and nation get ready to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday.
Her Majesty turned 90 back in April, but the official celebrations are taking place this weekend, with a traditional church service, a parade and a massive street party.
CTV News Chief Anchor and Senior Editor for CTV National News Lisa LaFlamme is in London covering this major milestone for the monarchy.
In an interview on Thursday at St. James’s Park outside Buckingham Palace, LaFlamme spoke with Gov. Gen. David Johnston, who shared several personal stories of his time spent with the Queen, who he described as “witty,” “knowledgeable” and “wonderfully warm.”
Royal BBQ
Johnston, the Queen’s representative in Canada, said he had once attended a barbecue in the Scottish Highlands with the Royal Family.
“Prince Philip was barbecuing venison that he’d shot on the estate and I went over to help him and it was very clear that he was going to do the barbecuing,” Johnston recalled.
The Governor General then went into the kitchen, where the Queen was setting the table.
“So I began to set the table and she said, ’Yes, yes, that’s fine,’ or, ‘No, no, this goes here.’”
Corgi party
There was also the time the Queen summoned her beloved pack of Corgis with a quick whistle.
“We sat down for lunch, (it was) somewhat formal, and then she whistled and the door opened … four or five Corgis came bundling into the room. I was scratching one and the dog turned on its back to present its belly,” Johnston says.
Noticing the Governor General’s way with the dog, the Queen turned to face him.
“She said, ‘You’ll do, the dog certainly likes you,’” Johnston recalled.
Johnston said he writes personal letters to the Queen several times a year to update her on important issues in Canada.
“She really does love Canada. She considers it her second home,” Johnston said.
Is the monarchy relevant?
Asked about those who oppose the idea of Canada’s connection to the monarchy and its relevance in the 21st century, Johnston pointed to Canada’s sterling reputation on the international stage.
“If you ask people to list five countries in the world whose government they respect, where the quality of life is good, Canada stands in the top five of those countries,” he said. “There’s something interesting going on there, in terms of the stability of government.”
Looming 'Brexit' vote
Britain currently faces a moment of uncertainty as a looming referendum on June 23 will allow the country to vote on whether citizens want to remain a member of the 28-nation European Union. Recent polling suggests that the British are evenly divided on the issue.
Asked about his stance on the debate, Johnston refused to stake a side.
“I probably should not even comment on that,” he said, adding that “democracy will work as it will work.”
Something borrowed
The Governor General told LaFlamme that he found the Royals to be “wonderfully thoughtful people.” He mentioned a time when his wife borrowed a pair of shoes from the Queen.
“They were going to go out to the stables, the Queen and my wife, and Sharon didn’t have any shoes. So the Queen went back up to her bedroom and came back down with a pair of shoes and said, ‘We’re about the same size feet, my dear. These will work.’ And away they went,” he said.
