Happy Birthday Lizzie

Down here in New Zealand we celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s birthday on the first Monday of June each year, as New Zealand is a constitutional monarchy with the Queen of the United Kingdom being the head of state.  Being an annual public holiday, those in the workforce get an extra day’s holiday.  The Honours list is released over the weekend, with the many recipients being honoured and recognized for public service. 

We decided to do our bit for Queen and Country over the weekend with a “Right Royal High Tea”.  Everyone made a special effort of dressing correctly for this auspicious occasion, with many sparkly tiaras and crowns making an appearance.  Not to mention the fox fur, strands of pearls, long white gloves, fluffy feather boas, bow ties, and a top hat or two.  Selwyn and Kath looked every inch the proper companions to have at a royal High Tea.  They were dressed impeccably, and their tea table was set with a lacy cloth, bone china cups and saucers, a silver tea pot, a Union Jack flag to wave, and even a model of the golden carriage decorating their table.

Selwyn and Kath

Robin was explaining why everyone needs a pair of ears, to keep your hat from slipping down and covering your face.  But is this acceptable High Tea behaviour, I wonder?

This is what happens if you don't have ears

The men were arranged into a group to have their photo taken, and what a great bunch of blokes they were.  Not too sure about the fellows in braces though – how did they slink in?

 

And just check these ladies out, everyone was in their Sunday best, diamond tiaras glinting under the lights.

A bevy of beauties in blue.

And what did we have to eat?  Plates of dainty sandwiches, lemon tarts, jam drops, and delicious chocolate éclairs.  And that was only part of the offering.  A couple of the ladies had got their two tiered cake stands out of storage, which really looked the part.

Thanks to Val and Bill for arranging such a great afternoon.