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A royal (wedding) touch at Fanshawe Pioneer Village

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When Meghan Markle walked down the aisle, she set precedents and followed tradition similar to Prince Harry’s great-great-great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria.

Victoria made the unusual choice of wearing a white gown to show off her delicate handmade lace. Local lace-maker Pam Glew of Fanshawe Pioneer Village said Victoria’s Honiton (Devon) bobbin lace flounce and the ruffle around her shoulders took 200 women six months to make.

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The dress was world news — but the patterns were destroyed to prevent copies, she said.

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Glew, who’s also a historical interpreter at the 19th-century attraction, didn’t expect Markle’s dress to include much lace.

“I think her dress will be bold, crisp and clean-cut to let her natural beauty shine through,” she said. “Queen Victoria blended tradition and innovation in her costume over the years — until Albert died and she became stuck in a frozen state of mourning.”

Markle designed a line of clothing for the Canadian retailer Reitmans during a partnership that ended just before the actress was engaged to Prince Harry. The wedding was Saturday.

Meanwhile, in our London, a long-standing May tradition will continue at Fanshawe Pioneer Village this weekend — birthday celebrations for Queen Victoria, a chance to explore the region’s colonial heritage and, if loving the royal wedding, add some British to your celebrations.

“We pay homage to the British royal wedding and always celebrate Queen Victoria’s birthday with cake and lemonade,” Glew said.

The Victoria Day weekend provides a chance to dress in costume or come in shorts, take a look at traditions and enjoy a garden party for common folk not invited to the royal wedding.

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“It’s one of our mainstay events,” said co-ordinator Alison Deplonty. “Families come every year and make it part of their Victoria Day tradition.”

Interpreters will be in costume. “Some of the team of volunteers have their own costumes and others will wear costumes from the village’s collection,” Glew said.

Long, full skirts, bonnets, and triangular or rectangular shawls (in case of rain) reflect the earlier years of Victoria’s reign.

“Gentlemen can wear a plain, dark suit with a white, crisp shirt,” Glew said. “Cravats were out, more of a bow tie. It gives a lovely visual aspect. We encourage children to come in prince or princess clothing. The celebration fits historians and present-day royal watchers.”

Added Deplonty: “We try to keep a family focus. We recently added dancing and the schoolhouse has information about the time of Queen Victoria.”

Activities include bubble blowing, a popular pastime from the period (Deplonty said magazines advertised the best soap to achieve the biggest bubbles). Wagon rides, games, and arts and crafts activities are on the schedule.

Garden plants and seeds will also be on sale.

 “The royal wedding has people thinking about Queen Victoria and royalty,” said Deplonty. “We tap into background knowledge and that interest in the lifestyle.

“We make it accessible, where royalty was part of everyone’s reality. They were aware of royalty as part of their everyday lives.”

IF YOU GO

What: Queen Victoria’s Birthday and Garden Party

When: May 21, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where: Fanshawe Pioneer Village

General Admission: $9 for adults, $7 for children 4-16, free for children 3 and under.

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