Diana never stopped being a Royal

The palace stripped Diana of her title the day after the divorce was finalized. She had one year left to live.  The divorce between Charles and Diana was finalized on August 28, 1996. The following day, a letter arrived at Diana's office from the Lord Chamberlain's department. It informed her that, effective immediately, she was no longer entitled to use the title Her Royal Highness. She would be known, from that point forward, as Diana, Princess of Wales — not Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales. 

The distinction is not ceremonial.  It is constitutional.  It meant that anyone meeting Diana was no longer required to bow or curtsy.  It meant she had been formally removed from the inner circle of the institution she had represented for fifteen years.

Diana had not been told the decision was coming.  She learned of it the day it happened.  Those close to her described her reaction as one of genuine shock — not because she had expected to remain inside the institution, but because of the speed and the timing.  The ink on the divorce papers was barely dry.

She was 35 years old. She had two sons who retained their HRH titles.  She did not.  When William and Harry were in public with their mother after August 1996, protocol required that they be addressed before her — because they outranked her.  Her own children, formally, took precedence.

Diana died on August 31, 1997 — exactly 368 days after the title was removed.  In that final year, she walked through Angolan minefields, campaigned for a global landmine ban, and sat at the bedsides of dying people in hospices across the world.  She did all of it without the three letters the palace had decided she no longer deserved.

The title was gone.  The work continued.  The world noticed the work.

The tulips in Ottawa

In 1943, a baby was born in a hospital room that had temporarily stopped being part of Canada.  It sounds impossible. It happened anyway. And eighty years later, twenty thousand tulips still arrive in Ottawa every spring because of it.

The story begins in 1940, when Germany invaded the Netherlands. The Dutch royal family fled. Queen Wilhelmina escaped to London, where she ran a government-in-exile. Her daughter, Crown Princess Juliana, heir presumptive to the Dutch throne, was sent further away for safety. She and her two young daughters, Beatrix and Irene, crossed the Atlantic and settled in Ottawa, Canada.

For three years, the royal family lived there quietly. Juliana sent her children to local schools. She shopped in neighborhood stores. She became a familiar, well-liked figure in the capital.  In the autumn of 1942, Juliana announced she was pregnant with her third child.  That's when the lawyers got involved.

The problem was citizenship. Canada grants citizenship to anyone born on Canadian soil. If Juliana's baby was born in Ottawa, the child would automatically become a Canadian citizen and a British subject. Under the Dutch constitution, that could complicate the child's place in the royal succession.

The solution had to be precise. Canada could not declare a hospital room to be Dutch territory. No country has that power over another's land. But Canada could do something else.

On December 26, 1942, King George VI, acting in his role as King of Canada, signed a proclamation under the War Measures Act. It declared that the place where Juliana gave birth would be temporarily extraterritorial. For the duration of the birth, that space would not be Canadian soil.

The baby's Dutch citizenship would come through her mother's bloodline, as Dutch law allows. But the baby would not also become Canadian, because she would not technically be born in Canada.

Four rooms on the third floor of Ottawa Civic Hospital were set aside for Juliana. One for the princess. One for the baby. One for her nurse. One for a security guard.  The rooms overlooked Holland Avenue.

On January 19, 1943, Princess Margriet Francisca was born. She was the first and only royal ever born in North America.  She was named after the marguerite, the flower worn by Dutch citizens as a symbol of resistance to the Nazi occupation.

In the occupied Netherlands, the news of her birth was a rare moment of hope. The royal family still existed. A new princess had arrived. The future had not been extinguished.

The war continued for two more years. In 1945, it was the First Canadian Army that led the liberation of the Netherlands. When they arrived, they found a starving population. The last months of the occupation, known as the Hunger Winter, had devastated the country. Canadian forces distributed food and supplies. Many Dutch civilians saw them not just as liberators but as the people who kept them alive.

After the war, the royal family returned home. And Princess Juliana wanted to say thank you.

In the autumn of 1945, she sent one hundred thousand tulip bulbs to Ottawa.  The following year, she sent another twenty thousand and asked that a flower bed be created at the hospital where Margriet was born. She promised to send ten thousand more every year.

She kept that promise. After she became Queen in 1948, the gifts continued. Today, eighty years later, the Netherlands still sends twenty thousand tulip bulbs to Ottawa every spring. Ten thousand from the royal family. Ten thousand from the Dutch Bulb Growers Association on behalf of the people of the Netherlands.

The bulbs are planted in two beds. One at the Ottawa Hospital's Civic Campus, where Margriet was born. The other in Commissioners Park, in a bed named after Queen Juliana.

Every May, over a million tulips bloom across Ottawa. The Canadian Tulip Festival draws more than six hundred and fifty thousand visitors. The tulip was designated Ottawa's official flower in 2001.

If you have ever received a gift so generous it changed the way you thought about the person who gave it, you understand what a hundred thousand bulbs meant to a city that had kept a family safe.

Princess Margriet is still alive. She has returned to Canada many times. On a visit in 2017, she said simply: "I was born in Canada. So somehow, quite naturally, I feel strongly attached to my place of birth."

A hospital room that temporarily stopped being a country. A princess born in a space between nations. And millions of flowers, returning every spring, reminding two countries that some debts are paid not in currency but in color.

Commissioners Park, Ottawa

Spring Begins

 This is what is happening in many areas of Canada:

This is Vancouver, where I am fortunate enough to live:

Living in Vancouver has always felt like a small stroke of luck. Tucked between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains, our city enjoys one of the mildest climates in all of Canada.  While friends and family across the country shovel driveways and bundle up against biting winds, we often stroll along the seawall under a soft drizzle, watching cherry blossoms prepare to bloom before winter has even finished its sentence.  

This year, though, was remarkable even by Vancouver standards.  We had no snow where I live at all.  Not a flurry.  Not a dusting.  Not even that brief, slushy half‑hour that usually shows up just to remind us it’s still winter.  The last time Vancouver saw a completely snow‑free winter was 1982, more than four decades ago.  It’s strange to think that an entire generation has grown up without ever experiencing a winter quite like this one.

Walking through the city these past months, I found myself noticing the small things: green lawns in January, cyclists out in full force, and the steady hum of everyday life uninterrupted by icy roads or school closures.  There’s a certain ease to winter here, and this year it felt even more pronounced.

I’m reminded, again, of how fortunate I am to live in this corner of the world.  Canada is a vast and varied country—rugged, beautiful, and sometimes harsh—but Vancouver offers a gentler rhythm.  The weather is just one part of it, but it’s a part that shapes our days in subtle ways: the outdoor walks, the early blooms, the sense of continuity through the seasons.

Not everyone loves our rain, but I’ve come to appreciate it.  It keeps our forests lush, our air clean, and our winters soft. And every so often, like this year,  it gives us a winter that feels almost like an early spring.

As we move into the warmer months, I’m carrying a quiet gratitude for this place I call home.  For its mild winters, its natural beauty, and the simple comfort of knowing that even in the coldest season, Vancouver has a way of making life feel gentle.

They put my game show performance on You Tube!

On January 8th, I got a call from Lee Valley in Ontario.  The lady was awesome and wanted to confirm my shipping address.  When I told her I was in British Columbia, she said "I'll call the Vancouver store and have them send it by UPS".  I said "my husband loves that store, can I pick it up".  She said "wonderful".

On January 9th, Cec's birthday, Dawn from Lee Valley called to say I could pick it up!   My map app told me to take Hwy. 91 and go over the Knight Street bridge and turn left at 63rd Ave.   63rd Avenue was closed for construction.  I know this part of Vancouver because I grew up not that far away.  I turned at the first light I came to and drove down a street towards Fraser Street.  I drove by Walter Moberly School, where my husband went to elementary school when he moved from Kelowna to Vancouver!   They have certainly added to it and it is beside a lovely park!  He had great memories from that school.  It was originally built in 1902.  

Dawn at Lee Valley had a nice fellow put the three tiered plant stand in my car.  It is very heavy!  Cec had a good look at the store and on our way home we went to The River House in Delta for a lovely birthday lunch.  

Cheryl loves to garden.  She starts all her plants in the house and this unit is just what she needs.  She is very happy with it!  I gave away all my prizes but kept the cash!  Lexie took the teapot, Laurie needed a kettle, Cec got the razor and Dave's first cousin's four year old son got the ride on suitcase.  Theo was thrilled!  A cheque from Rogers for CAD$ 3,500.00 arrived last week.  It's sitting in my travel account waiting for a deposit on a cruise that's calling my name.

The Price is Right after the taping. Now it's been aired, I can spill the beans!

That was the best experience ever!  Just being chosen is such a thrill.  Howie is such a gentleman.   When I won he said "you can hug me, don't touch my hands".  Of course we all know he's a germaphobe but he is gracious and he was funny.  

I asked every staff member I met if they were Canadian and they all said yes!  They were all professional and so nice.  

Before we left Vancouver, we studied prices.  Lexie works at Superstore as a part time university job so she was memorizing grocery prices.  I went online to every car manufacturer in Canada and recorded all the lowest prices of every vehicle made in Canada.  I used the Ontario website as BC has different taxes.  We all thought of manufacturers like Heys luggage and other Canadian brands and memorized prices.  I know vacation prices so we had those down.  However, they don't tell you much about trip destinations so it's pretty hard to price.  I was close on them all!

We practiced the "clock game" at the airport.  We talked about every game what our strategy would be.  We knew all the games and devised hand signals for prices.  Hold up the fingers of the first digit, if it's hundred, then shake your fists twice!  

When I was asked my first price, I looked at Cheryl, eight fingers, two fist thumps, and I said  "$800.00!"  I found out later Lexie was the one that came up with the price.

For all the pricing of the small items, higher or lower, I just turned around and Cheryl, Lexie and Laurie would have thumbs up if higher, and thumbs down for lower.  It's really hard to think when you are in the spotlight and I don't know how I would have done if they weren't there to help me!

It's hard to believe three people could spin a dollar on the wheel!   I was so happy for the two girls who got to the Showcase.  They were young and cheered for everyone.

After the show I was escorted to a room where I signed a non-disclosure agreement and was able to take all of my prizes.  However, I was flying so the tea pot and razor fit in the little suitcase.   It was a good thing I didn't already have a carry on as I would have had to put one of them in the belly of the plane.  The kettle arrived about a month ago and the money arrived in a cheque last week!  I'll post the experience with Lee Valley tomorrow.  I've got all my prizes.

I asked the prize staff, "where is a good place for dinner"?  She said "restaurant or pub"?  I said pub and this was one block away from the studio!  We had two bottles of Prosecco, a wonderful dinner and a lot of laughs!

We were only a block away from the CN Tower. It was Lexie's first trip to downtown Toronto so we went up the tower.  It was a beautiful clear night and the view was awesome!

The view from the glass floor at the top of the CN Tower!

We never got adjusted to Toronto time.  We set out clocks for 1:44 AM Vancouver time (4:44 AM Toronto time) to make the early flight by to Vancouver.  Lexie had an exam at SFU the next day!   We got home by noon.  The end of a wonderful girls mini vacation!

The Price is Right Canada Tonight

 

Last September, Cheryl heard Howie Mandel was taping The Price is Right Tonight, Canada in Toronto.  She said "mom, we can go on your birthday"!  My birthday is on December 14th and I rarely celebrate it as everyone is busy preparing for Christmas.  I don't even post it on Facebook so only my close friends even know when it is.

We needed four people to apply so Cheryl, my daughter, Lexie my granddaughter and my long time friend Laurie who was with me in 1980 at Let's Make A Deal made an application to the Price is Right.  We had to send a video of each of us for the staff to view.  Thanks to Lexie and Cheryl, we created a great audition video and uploaded it with our long application.  Cheryl made t-shirts for each of us and we all had different sayings.  She also ordered some pom poms in bright pink, Lexie's favorite colour.  We received our tickets from The Price is Right and booked four cheap seats on Porter Air.

Laurie and I travel well together.  Laurie worked in lost baggage at Pacific Western Airlines.  She said "if we go to Singapore for 10 days, we can only take carry-on as anything that transfers in Narita will get lost".  We both packed carry ons and learned to take just necessities and clothing your could interchange.  Laurie and I booked the cheapest fare, no carry on, only 1 personal item.  We both had no problem with our very small bag.  Cheryl and Lexie however, needed carry on so they paid more!  I could not take my computer, the first trip ever without it but my smart phone would have to work.

The filming took place at the CBC studios in downtown Toronto.  The Residence Inn was one block away and as it was -13C/8.6F we stayed there.  We left Saturday afternoon and arrived late Saturday night.  On Sunday we had to be at our taping at 1:00PM.  

There were seats in the audience for 185 people.  We had confirmed tickets but lots of people had stand by tickets.  We lined up, met lots of crazy people like us and then went to the top floor to the studio!

They tell you it doesn't matter where you sit.  We were in the second to last row at the left side.  I will stop here as I signed a non-disclosure agreement.  I will just say, if you are in Canada, watch The Price is Right Tonight on CITY TV that airs tonight!  They told us they will be marketing it around the world so watch for it if you are outside Canada.  We could not say what city we were from although I had it on my shirt.  We couldn't relate to Christmas either as it would be shown in the spring.

Some people have called as my picture is showing up on TV ads for The Price is Right Tonight!  Coming down the aisle, and close to the wheel!  

Son-in-law Dave saw this on his TV and sent it to me! 

After the broadcast, I will finish this story!!!!!  All I can say is "Best Birthday EVER!" 

Update on Bill C-4 and Bill C-12

I've been following two bills in Canadian Parliament.  Bill C-4 and Bill C-12.  I searched on AI today to see the status of these important bills.  The reason I am interested is 15 foreign nationals facing extortion‑related charges in Canada have applied for refugee status.  This figure comes directly from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), which confirmed that these individuals made refugee claims after coming under immigration investigation.  These people have lived here for a while, they didn't just come in.   It's about time this loop hole for people who are not fleeing a country that is dangerous, but coming to this country to extort our law abiding citizens for millions of dollars. Deport them ASAP!

Bill C‑4 is now law.  It received Royal Assent on March 12, 2026.  Here is what I found on Bill C-12:

Bill C‑12 – Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act

Current Stage (March 2026)

• Bill C‑12 has completed Third Reading in the Senate (March 12, 2026).

• The Senate has sent a message back to the House of Commons with amendments and recommendations.

• The bill is now “At consideration in the House of Commons of amendments made by the Senate.”

This means the House must now:

1. Accept the Senate’s amendments,

2. Reject them, or

3. Propose alternatives.

Only after that can the bill proceed to Royal Assent and become law.

Bill C‑12 will become law only after:

1. The House of Commons responds to the Senate’s amendments.

2. Both chambers agree on a final text.

3. The bill receives Royal Assent.

Given the political attention around this bill—including strong advocacy from migrant‑rights groups urging the Senate to amend or reject parts of it—debate may continue for some time.  Let's hope that doesn't happen and receives Royal Assent soon!

The Senate made three proposals:

Privacy Protection Amendment

1.  Proposed by: Senator Paulette Senior

Purpose: Protect Canadian citizens and permanent residents from unnecessary surveillance.

What it does

• Exempts Canadian citizens and permanent residents from the bill’s expanded information‑sharing powers.

• Ensures that only foreign nationals are subject to the new data‑sharing regime.

• Responds to concerns from privacy experts and civil‑liberties groups about the bill’s broad language.

2.  Proposed by: Senator Tony Dean

Purpose: Add transparency to the new asylum‑ineligibility rules (especially the one‑year claim deadline).

What it requires

The immigration minister must publish an annual report detailing:

• Average time between a claimant entering Canada and making their claim

• Number of claims ruled ineligible because they were made more than one year after entry

• How many late claimants left and re‑entered Canada

• How many late claimants applied for a Pre‑Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA)

• How many PRRA applications were accepted or rejected

• Recommendations on whether the one‑year ineligibility rule should be changed

3.  Proposed by: Senator Tony Dean

Purpose: Ensure long‑term accountability for the bill’s sweeping new powers.

What it does

• Requires a comprehensive parliamentary review of the entire Act five years after it becomes law.

• The review must assess:

• How the law has been implemented

• Its impact on asylum seekers, migrants, and immigration processing

• Any recommended changes

• A final report must be tabled in Parliament within one year of the review starting.

What Amendments Were Not Adopted?

The Senate rejected several proposed amendments that would have:

• Limited the government’s new executive powers

• Softened the asylum‑ineligibility rules

• Removed or altered Parts 5–8 of the bill (as recommended by the SOCI Committee)

What this means in practice

If someone shows up at the border and CBSA believes they have:

• Criminal ties

• Organized‑crime involvement

• Security concerns

• Fraudulent documents

…the minister can cancel their documents immediately.