Lemonade Day 39: It's Not Easy Being Queen

. I'm taking the opportunity of this unplanned time off to connect with the many artists and creators in this wonderful city that I love. Come with me on my 100-day odyssey of art and creativity in Long Beach. I call it .

The Queen Mary is a classic luxury liner that is permanently at berth in Long Beach.  Often the local news programs will start or end with views of the Queen Mary.  All over Long Beach you can see the street banners advertising , currently at the Queen Mary.  It's not all about Princess Diana, however.  You get the entire royal family, starting with Queen Mary herself.

August 9th was Day 39.  I visited the Queen Mary to see the exhibit

There are many pieces to the exhibit.  Each of these taken individually is just a letter, a trinket, a photograph, a dress.  Together, however, they tell a story.  A story that evolves over time.  A story of gratitude, of love, of marriage, of coronations, of fancy dresses and fancy balls.

I'm sure that of the many visitors to the exhibit there were many impressions taken away today.  I will present mine and invite you to visit to have your own.  Yes, there were glamour, finery, fancy china and gifts. 

For me, though, it was about the people - their lives.  Being a royal is not easy. We know that from all the fairy tales, right?  Hans Christian Andersen had to get his material from somewhere, didn't he?  Yes, as a child I watched Disney's Cinderella every chance I could.

Today I read about Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes (Queen Mary), engaged to a prince who died unexpectedly six weeks later.  Who subsequently fell in love with his brother who eventually became King George.  Who, during World War I refused to leave her husband, staying in Britain over the safety of other lands.  Who herself nursed her husband through a terrible illness.  He credited her with saving his life.

There is her son, Edward Albert Christian George Andrew Patrick David (King Edward VIII), who gave up his birthright, abdicating his throne after 325 days so as to be with the woman he loved.  The woman, Wallis Simpson, a seductress with the need to conquer men, but who beneath all of the feathers and fancy dress was insecure about her looks.  Their lives in exile, travelling much, but never returning to Britain until death claimed them both. They doted on their pug dogs.

There is the queen, Queen Mother Elizabeth I, who had to be asked three times before accepting the proposal of her royal suitor because of the fear of living in scrutiny.  He eventually became King George VI upon abdication of the throne by his brother.  Her constant smile.  What was she really thinking?

There is her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II, whose sister Margaret commiserated with her when they found out that she would probably one day be queen.  There are Queen Elizabeth's six corgis: Spark, Myth, Fable, Kelpie, Phoenix, Pharos.

There is her son, Prince Charles who sacrificed love for position and duty and the innocents unwillingly affected by that sacrifice.  There is Princess Diana who, before she was princess was young, happy, sparkling and giggly.  A nanny, a tutor, living with her friends in an apartment with her one formal dress. There is the story of that princess' life, a whirlwind of fancy dresses and occasions, but becoming ever sadder until her untimely death.  The Prince's love finally fulfilled by a marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles.

And of course, there are the handsome princes, William and Harry, one who has a new, lovely bride, Princess Kate.  The new princess who brings with her new energy and a heightened interest in the royal family. 

It's like reading a fairy tale isn't it?  Except this is real life.

In addition to the stories of the royal family from Queen Mary to today, "Diana, Legacy of a Princess", features several of Princess Diana's dresses and personal effects.  Seventy nine of Princess Diana's dresses were auctioned off by Christie's with the proceeds going to charity.  You can read about the owners, many in the U.S., and what led them to purchase the dresses they now own.

Several of Princess Kate's dresses are also on display.  The simplicity of Princess Kate's dresses is in stark contrast to those of Princess Diana.  In the gift shop you can find yourself a replica of her engagement ring and limited edition copies of the seductive dress that caught the eye of Prince William (the actual dress was sold by the design company for $150K).  You can read about the changes she made to the way the dress is worn.

Tickets may be purchased for visits to the exhibit, which will remain at the Queen Mary through June 2013.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales benefit the City of Hope and Pink Ribbons Crusade.

Want more lemonade?       

Tidbits, Things, Trails

• I came away with a nice lanyard from the Queen Mary.
• The Passport's route C, the free shuttle that serves Shoreline Village, downtown Long Beach and the Queen Mary will continue to be free after the end of August.  Other routes will become more traditional in nature.
• I attended the Arts Council for Long Beach's October Arts Month meeting to keep posted on the exhibits, plays, trainings that are in the planning stages.  The following messages are brought to you from this meeting.
• Anyone wishing to help in the October Arts Month activities should attend the biweekly meeting at Utopia Restaurant.  (please contact ACLB for confirmation as the meeting may include a location tour).
• Artists are encouraged to register in the ACLB Artist's registry.
• Artists are encouraged to attend a meeting of the Cultural Alliance for Long Beach (CALB), and to join so as to access the services offered by CALB.

And Tomorrow...

Nancy McCarthy, MD and what she does when she's not doctoring.

Need to contact me?  info@handmadepenguin.com

Trish Tsoiasue writes as herself about creative and maker topics for and as Handmade Penguin for the Handmade Penguin Blog.