Victoria Day means getting garden planted, not celebrating the birthday of a monarch

MONDAY MORNING EDITORIAL — Today is Victoria Day, have you noticed?

Canadians “celebrate” Victoria Day not by pausing to consider the woman after whom it is named, but by planting their gardens. And judging by how busy Kamloops garden shops have been this weekend, we’re celebrating with a vengeance.

Gardening aside, the marking of Queen Victoria’s birthday is a last vestige of our ties to the monarchy. There are no parades, no public gatherings, no speeches. It is but another statutory holiday — the one that happens to fall in May.

We view Victoria Day as the unofficial start of summer, which is important, but we could just as well call it, Let’s Start Summer Day.

Nevertheless, it’s a holiday long on tradition, extending back to 1845 when Queen Victoria was alive, well and much revered. Back then, there were picnics, processions and gun salutes to mark the occasion. Now we plant tomatoes.

As it happens, Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, begin a four-day Royal Visit to Canada today, having arrived in Halifax last night.

The Prince has been here many times before, and each time he’s greeted with much pomp and ceremony. The last time he was in Kamloops was with Princess Diana in 1986 and it was quite the occasion.

Back then, Expo was on in Vancouver and that was the main purpose of the visit. There doesn’t seem to be any particular reason for this week’s visit, but it will cost Canadian taxpayers an estimated $720,000.

Charles and Camilla are likable folks, though not hugely popular even among faithful monarchists. Had Prince William and his wife Kate come for Victoria Day, it would have been a big deal.

But Prince Charles will be king unless he decides to take a pass, which is highly unlikely. Sadly, his ascension to the throne promises little excitement in this country.

While Queen Elizabeth II is loved, and the monarchy continues to hold some affection in the hearts of Canadians, it has long since lost any influence on our daily lives. Just as Victoria Day no longer has any significant meaning, the monarchy itself is fading as a part of Canada.