Queen Elizabeth II honored in display at La Grande store

Published 11:00 am Wednesday, September 14, 2022

LA GRANDE — A window display at The Royal Clothiers on Adams Avenue in La Grande is saluting the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II, who died Sept. 8 at the age of 96.

The owners of Royal Clothiers, Stephen and Marlene Hays, were compelled to set up the display because of their deep British roots. Both grew up in England and have long been fans of Queen Elizabeth.

“She has been the queen all of our lives. She has been great for England,” Stephen Hays said.

The couple admire Queen Elizabeth’s loyalty to England, for which she served as queen for 70 years.

“Her commitment to her country was second to none,” Stephen Hays said. “She is a great example of a leader’s commitment to her country.”

The display at Royal Clothiers features items the owners have been collecting for years, including photos, British flags and books. One of the photos is of a young Queen Elizabeth making her distinctive and beloved wave.

“It is as if she is waving goodbye,” Marlene Hays said.

Among the elements of the display that will likely evoke the most smiles by onlookers is a stuffed Paddington Bear, a character in a series of children’s books by Michael Bond that Queen Elizabeth was a fan of. In the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year, she starred in a sketch that saw her and Paddington enjoying tea together in Buckingham Palace.

Another element of the display includes a photo of Queen Elizabeth with her Pembroke Welsh corgi dogs.

“She never went anywhere without her corgis,” Marlene Hays said.

Marlene and Stephen Hays have lived in La Grande since 2006 and in the United States for about 50 years.

The display honoring Queen Elizabeth II at The Royal Clothiers, 1431 Adams Ave., La Grande, will be up at least through September. Anyone who would like to donate condolence flowers can bring them in during store hours and they will be placed in the display. The resale clothing store is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.