Written by Baba Colin Chee
Baba Colin Chee broaches the matter of THAT brooch
Over the past five years, much attention has been drawn to one of Queen Elizabeth II’s favourite brooches, which she often chose to wear for both official and personal functions.
The queen had about 100 brooches in all that she wore in her lifetime to accessorise her beautiful clothes. Each one held great value for the late monarch.
Amongst them is the Peranakan Bird of Paradise kerosang, set in fine filigree yellow gold and clear white diamonds. Designed and delicately fabricated by Foundation Jewellers in Singapore, it was gifted to Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 by then President Tony Tan, on behalf of the Singapore Government, and in conjunction with her Diamond Jubilee.
Since then it has been reported by British media that the Queen had worn the Peranakan Diamond Jubilee Brooch on no less than 30 occasions. The last time was on 17 May 2022 when she opened the Elizabeth Line in London, three and a half months before she passed away in September.
Her exceptional fondness for the brooch could, perhaps, also be traced back 50 years ago when she first encountered a set of kerosangs in Melaka during her 1972 tour of Southeast Asia. It would have brought back sweet memories to the Queen of its legacy among the Babas and Nyonyas of the former British Straits Settlements – Penang, Melaka, Singapore.
The Queen: I Will Always Remember Her
In March 1972, a then 31-year-old Nyonya Ong Siok Lay, together with her late husband, the renowned Melakan Peranakan cultural icon Baba Charles KK Chua, had the rare privilege of meeting the late Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. They had been asked to enact a traditional Peranakan Chinese wedding, in all its splendour, for the royal couple who were visiting Malaysia for the first time as part of an official tour of Southeast Asia.
In November 2022, Baba Lim Eng Leong, curator of The Malacca Heritage Centre, a Peranakan museum in Melaka, spoke to Nyonya Siok Lay, now aged 82, about her enthralling and unforgettable meeting with the Queen.
The Peranakan Association Singapore has the honour of bringing this story to you, our readers, in this inaugural launch of its new digital news magazine, The Peranakan.
LEL: Can you tell us how you ended up being the bride for the Peranakan wedding re-enactment?
OSL: My late husband, Charles KK Chua was a true-blue Peranakan and had a keen passion for the Peranakan culture. He was also a member of the Melaka Historical Society, which asked him to put together the show which was held on 6 March 1972. A few days before the Queen’s visit, the lady identified to play the “bride” in the performance unfortunately sprained her ankle while jogging. My husband frantically searched for a suitable substitute, in vain. In the end, he asked if I would be game enough to take on the role of the bride whilst he played the part of the groom.
LEL: How did you feel when you were told that you would meet the Queen?
OSL: I felt proud to be able to share our unique Peranakan culture. At the same time I was honoured and excited to see the Queen in person as I had only seen her in newspapers and on television. It was going to be such a memorable and historic visit!
LEL: When the day finally came for you to meet the Queen, were you nervous?
OSL: Rather than feeling nervous, I was overwhelmed by the preparation required. I only had a few days to rehearse for the show. My husband was also very busy setting up the tok sam kai at the Town Hall.
LEL: Can you share what happened on that day?
OSL: I woke up very early that morning. As I didn’t sleep well the night before, I was worried that I would not perform my best. The Sang Khek Umm (Mistress of Ceremony) came early to dress both my husband and I at home before we proceeded to the Town Hall where the show would take place. I was enthralled by the grand arrival of the royal couple, accompanied by Lord Mountbatten. Strains of the seronnee besar (traditional wedding music) filled the air when the Queen and Prince Philip walked in.
We headed out towards them. My husband was ahead of me, with a fan in hand, fanning in a deliberate manner. I was a few steps behind with my hands clasped under the elaborately embroidered sleeves of the baju kemantin (wedding costume) and swaying from side to side in the Ienggang lenggok fashion that is unique to Malaccan Peranakan Weddings.
The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh approached us to ask about our Baba Nyonya tradition, costumes and jewellery.
LEL: How were the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh?
OSL: The late Queen was gracious, beautiful and the most elegant person I have ever met. Her humble disposition, despite her royal stature, put me at ease. The way she spoke and smiled gave me all the confidence I needed and I stopped being nervous.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh was tall, charming and sharp. He spoke to my husband.
The Royal Couple was also accompanied by Lord Louis Mountbatten, who came across most gentlemanly.
LEL: Can you remember the conversation you had with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh?
OSL: Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were fascinated with our Peranakan baju kiah sai and baju kemantin (bride groom’s and bride’s wedding costumes) that my husband and I wore.
The Queen was curious and looked closely at the embroidered “biota” and the jewellery on top. She asked if they were genuine, to which I answered affirmatively. I also explained they were family heirlooms passed down from generations.
The Duke of Edinburgh spent more time speaking with my husband. He asked if it was our actual wedding. I answered jovially that it was a staged wedding held in their honour and that my two young daughters were present and they were playing the roles of page boy and page girl.
LEL: In one photograph of the visit, the Queen seemed particularly fascinated by the kerosangs you were wearing. Can you recall what she said about them?
OSL: Oh, yes. She gently examined the kerosangs and said they were beautiful.
LEL: From the close encounter you had with the late Queen, what are the things about Her Majesty that the youth of today could learn?
OSL: One of the things the youth of today could learn about the late Queen is her sense of duty and her humility in the way she carried herself. She always dressed impeccably. The Queen was a great lady filled with dignity and compassion.
Up to the last moment, at the age of 96, she was still performing her royal duties. In her 70-year reign as Queen, her sense of duty and devotion to her nation and the Commonwealth was unparalleled! For this, she was respected and loved by people all over the world.
May her soul rest in peace!
