A very royal collection
Derek Saikali has been collecting royal memorabilia for most of his life.
A collection spanning two centuries, from Queen Victoria to Queen Elizabeth II. It began in 1977 with the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, Saikali then just a child, became enamoured with all things royal.
The collection has grown, now thousands of items in the almost five decades that have passed since he started it. Some are simple, like tea towels, others were commissioned directly from artists, like Ottawa’s Cor Beattie, who painted a unique portrait of the Queen for Saikali’s collection.
The size of the collection even surprising the collector, who when taking out items to commemorate the passing of Queen Elizabeth II discovered just how much it had grown.
"I did not realize how much stuff I have until I started taking things out to celebrate the life of the Queen, her dedication and her commitment to the commonwealth and to our country is unmatched," Saikali said. "I love the history; every piece has a story and commemorates an event."
Saikali taste covers just about anything you can put a royal face on, but says quirky and "different" items are his favorite.
"I think Swatch came out with a watch to commemorate the Queen, which is not in my collection unfortunately," Saikali said. "It has the Queen on it and it changes colour as the hour passes."
Saikali says that although our longest reigning monarch has passed, he is looking forward to the changes that may come under our new King Charles III and, of course, will be keeping an eye out for more royal collectables.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.