Friday, April 1, 2011

Two Weddings and a Coronation


OGUNQUIT—
From 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 15, 2011, join the Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with Columbary House Antiques and Nancy Marshall Communications, at the Cliff House and Spa on Shore Road in Ogunquit for an Evening Gala Event of “Two Weddings and a Coronation.” This is to be a semiformal affair as if all were actual wedding guests.
The evening’s events are in celebration of the two Royal Weddings occurring this year in Europe. First, the wedding in England of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29, followed by the marriage in Monaco of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock on July 1 & 2.
The highlight of the evening will be the preview of a previously undiscovered, one of a kind home movie of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. This will be the first time this film footage has ever been seen by the public. The home movie provides a unique personal perspective rarely seen. It includes footage of the preparations in the days leading up to the Coronation and many of the decorations that adorned the Procession route from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey. This film footage transports the viewer back to 1953, showing the streets busy with period automobiles and pedestrians dressed in the current attire. The view of the procession is from the front row in the grand stands directly opposite the entrance to the Abbey. A vintage official film of the coronation will also be shown. The combination of these two films has a magical way of making the viewer feel like he or she is actually in attendance.
The movies are part of a prominent Massachusetts estate that is currently being offered for sale at Columbary House Antiques. A member of the family was the wife of a Consul of Monaco. For many years, she and her husband resided in the palace of Monaco with the royal family. Because of their diplomatic status, they attended many major social functions including the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and the marriage of Prince Rainier III of Monaco to American film star Grace Kelly.
In addition to the movies, other items from this estate will be on display at the Cliff House on the night of the event. Some of these items are a collection of jewelry that includes a 22Kt. gold Egyptian necklace with diamonds, rubies and sapphires, a 33Ct., aquamarine broach, a pair of platinum earrings with emeralds and diamonds, a 18Kt. gold floral broach with 16 center diamonds, and a 14Kt., gold diamond and pearl ring; the guest passes to the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II noting the seating in the grand stands at Central Hall Westminster opposite the entrance to the Abbey, and including the vouchers for a buffet breakfast, box luncheon served on the stands, and also the tickets to the Royal Opera House at Covent Gardens for the Gala Performance of “Gloriana” in honor of the Coronation of Her Majesty, the Queen; a large group of documents and correspondences that include a hand written note signed by Princess Grace, all of the announcements and invitations to the many events of the wedding of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III, and the invitation to the Baptism of Prince Albert II, the current Sovereign Prince of Monaco; a selection of artwork that includes well know Ogunquit artist William Columbus Ehrig and George Carpenter.
Tickets for this event are available at The Greater York Region Chamber of Commerce, 1 Stonewall Lane, York, Columbary House Antiques, 1286 US Route 1, Cape Neddick or online by going to www.gatewaytomaine.org. Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres appropriate to the occasion will be served.
Please contact the Chamber with any questions at (207) 363-4422 or email Elaine Burnham at elaine@yorkme.org. Proceeds from the ticket sales of this event will be used to promote Artfest and Antiquefest, two events planned for later on this year. Additional info can be found with Columbary House Antiques in Cape Neddick, 207-363-5496.
Photo caption: Pictured are historical items that will be on display at the “Two Weddings and a Coronation” event on April 15. (Photo courtesy Don Poland at Columbary House Antiques)