Scout Learns a Lesson in Royal Etiquette

SCOUT: "Oh excuse me Ma'am as in Ham, but when you cut a slice of Victoria Sponge for mijn beste vriend Peter... he's coming from Holland with Paddy's best friend Oleg and Paddy's Aunt Lucy you know."

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Yes, We know little Scout. We met Aunt Lucy in Peru some years ago now. She shared some lovely homemade tea with Us, which was very refreshing and delicious."

 

SCOUT: "Well, mijn best vriend Peter always has a grumbly tummy, just like me, so can you please cut him an extra large slice please."

 

PADDY: "Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "What?!?"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "No, little Scout! I cannot do that!" *Horrified.*

 

SCOUT: "But why not Ma'am as in Ham? I did use my very best manners just like Paddy and Daddy taught me and I said please."

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "It isn't that you didn't ask nicely, little Scout, but we have to share things out equally."

 

SCOUT: "We do Ma'am as in Ham?"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Oh yes, little Scout. You see, if I cut a big slice for Peter, it means that maybe Paddy, Oleg or Aunt Lucy might get less as a result.

 

JAGO: "Or Benny, or Fuzzy or Danbo."

 

SCOUT: "Danbo doesn't eat cake, Jago. He eats nuts and bolts."

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Well, if he did, would you want him or any of the other bears to have less?"

 

SCOUT: "Oh no, Ma'am as in Ham! I would never want Paddy, Oleg, Aunt Lucy or anybear to miss out or get less!"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Then Peter shall receive just the same as everybear else, little Scout."

 

SCOUT: "Yes Ma'am as in Ham!" *Thinks.* "Pardon me for saying this, but you do seem to know lots about sharing, yet you are The Queen, so you don't really have to share anything, do you?"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Well, We may have lots of things, little Scout, but We know a lot about sharing because We have to share ourselves out with everybear."

 

SCOUT: "Is that why you have to leave soon?" *Snuggles up to Queen Lilibet.* "I don't want you to leave."

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "We are sorry to disappoint you, little Scout," *Wraps arm around Scout.* "But We do have to go. However much you have made Us feel welcome, and however much We would like to stay, We do have to go, as We have other bears to visit around the Commonwealth on our Platinum Jubilee Tour. It woudl be unfair not to share Ourselves around for the joy of all bears."

 

SCOUT: "Well... since you put it like that. I don't want other bears who love you to miss out on seeing you." *Thinks.* "Will you come and visit again soon, Ma'am as in Ham?"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Oh yes, little Scout. We should enjoy that very much. Only if you all will have Us."

 

PADDY: "Oh we will Ma'am!"

 

JAGO: "With pleasure, Ma'am!"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "And We will give you our special Bearphone number, so that you may telephone Us if you wish."

 

PADDY: "Goodness Ma'am! Thank you very much!"

 

SCOUT: "Oh goody! Thank you Ma'am as in Ham!"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "You're very welcome, Paddy and Scout."

 

SCOUT: *Thinks.* "You are going to stay for my performance, aren't you Ma'am as in Ham?" *Concerned.*

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Oh of course We will, little Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "That's good, because mijn beste vriend Peter is an excellent dancer too, so we will dance together for your pleasure!"

 

HM QUEEN LILIBET: "Well, We are very looking forward to it, little Scout!"

 

SCOUT: "It's going to be soooo much fun Ma'am as in Ham! Trust me!" *Trembles with excitement.*

 

My bears Paddy and Scout have made very good friends with two bears in Holland called Peter and Oleg (www.flickr.com/photos/40262251@N03/galleries/721577154558...) and their Mummy (www.flickr.com/photos/66094586@N06/) . Peter and Scout are very similar and have become best friends. Paddy and Oleg are equally similar and have become best friends too. Peter and Oleg are coming to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Afternoon Tea, and are being escorted by Aunt Lucy. You can see the picture here: www.flickr.com/photos/66094586@N06/52123880894/in/faves-4... or in the first comment below.

 

2022 marks the year that Her Majesty The Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of devoted and loyal service to her people.

 

Celebrations will be happening in Britain and around the world during the Platinum Jubilee Central Weekend which takes place from 2nd to 5th June, and that includes here! How very exciting!

 

God bless our Queen! Long may she reign over us!

 

Paddy’ beautiful silver nursery tea set comprising of a tea pot, milk jug and sugar bowl are very Art Deco. They were obviously made for the child of a very wealthy family, as the set is made of very heavy sterling silver. The hallmarks on each piece (including on the inner lip of the teapot lid) indicates that it was made in Sheffield by the well known English silversmith James Dixon of James Dixon and Sons in 1921. The pot also features an ebonised finial and handle which are affixed with tiny sterling silver screws and wingnuts, just like a real teapot!

 

This beautiful faerie tale pantomime nursery tea set was made in England by the Shell China Company in the 1930s. It features eight cups, saucers and plates as well as a teapot, coffee pot, milk jug, sugar bowl, platters, sandwich plate, a lidded soup tureen on its own dish and a gravy or cream jug. Each piece is gilt edged and decorated and feature different faerie tales including: "Cinderella", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Dick Whittington and his Cat", "Jack and the Beanstalk" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" amongst others. This is probably the first time I have had almost the entire set out on display. The set I acquired from England, and it is a sister set to a 1920s Shell China Company nursery rhyme tea set that I was given as a gift some years ago by a close friend who knows I collect nursery ware and children’s tea sets. Each guest at the tea party also has a tiny doll (bear) sized nursery napkin which is hand embroidered with a donkey motif. There are also doll (bear) sized tea spoons which are sterling silver salt spoons, and the sugar ladle in the "Cinderella" sugar bowl and the sugar nips in the "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" sugar bowl are from the Eighteenth Century and are sterling silver.

 

The Queen's Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Bear was made by Merrythought in Britain. She has been hand made from customised, platinum-tipped diamond white mohair plush, and she has The Queen's blue eyes and a hand stitched nose and enigmatic smile. Her left paw is embroidered with the years 1952 and 2022, in between which sits the royal crown. She is wearing a coronation robe of purple velvet, featuring satin lining, ermine trim, and extensive golden embroidery. Keeping true to the original Imperial robe, it is accessorised with two satin bows and luxury Italian tassels to finish. Her crown is a silver-plated replica of the Imperial state crown, which Her Majesty wore as she left Westminster Abbey after her coronation. It is studded with twenty six gemstones, has a purple velvet lining and white ermine trim. Her Majesty the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Commemorative Bear is number 557 of a worldwide limited edition of 1952.

 

My Paddington Bear came to live with me in London when I was two years old (many, many years ago). He was hand made by my Great Aunt and he has a chocolate coloured felt hat, the brim of which had to be pinned up by a safety pin to stop it getting in his eyes. The collar of his mackintosh is made of the same felt. He wears wellington boots made from the same red leather used to make the toggles on his mackintosh.

 

He has travelled with me across the world and he and I have had many adventures together over the years. He is a very precious member of my small family.

 

Scout was a gift to Paddy from my friend. He is a Fair Trade Bear hand knitted in Africa. His name comes from the shop my friend found him in: Scout House. He tells me that life was very different where he came from, and Paddy is helping introduce him to many new experiences. Scout catches on quickly, and has proven to be a cheeky, but very lovable member of our closely knit family.

 

Jago was a gift from a dear friend in England. He is made of English mohair with suede paw pads and glass eyes. He is a gentle bear, kind and patient who carries an air of calm about him. He is already fitting in with everyone else very nicely.

Done