August 11 – At the Entrance of the Queen

The day had been chosen as being meteorologically the most consistently sunny day in London, but the rain had been pouring down all night and morning.

Elizabeth II rode to her coronation in a golden coach, wearing a beautiful white gown embroidered everywhere with seed pearl and silver thread in images of the symbol of her peoples: the Tudor rose at the hem, the Irish shamrock, the Scottish thistle and Canadian maple leaf, and many more, all in such brilliant pastel that the dress appeared to be merely white, shimmering like a fabric diamond. Like the priests of old, she “wore” her dominions, her people, to her crowning, six ladies in silver-white gowns bearing her twenty-food velvet train.

With trumpet sound filling the Abbey, Elizabeth made her way into the nave at Westminster Abbey, dressed just according to the words of the Garter King of Arms: “The QUEEN in Her Royal Robes of Crimson Velvet, hemmed with ermine and bordered with gold lace, wearing the Collar of the Garter; on her head a Diadem of Precious Stones.”

We will come one day before our Father, wearing the Diadem of Lovingkindness by which we entered into life. We will wear the mantle of His constant protection and the Humility of Christ, and our gowns will indeed have been embroidered with glory. Read these words with the Abbess today:

“The King’s daughter is all glorious within; Her clothing is interwoven with gold. She will be led to the King in embroidered work; The virgins, her companions who follow her, Will be brought to You. They will be led forth with gladness and rejoicing; They will enter into the King's palace.” Psalm 45:13-15


"Even the Thistle Will Glory in that Day"
photo by Kerry