A Royal Birthday
Cover Image: Queen Liliʻuokalani’s personal stationery. Monogram on back of envelope; Hawaii. ca. 1890. Bishop Museum Archives. SP 204728.
Image: “A Royal Birthday.” Evening Bulletin, September 2, 1885, p. 3.
On this day in history, on September 2, 1885, Heir Apparent Princess Liliʻuokalani celebrated her 47th birthday with a grand lūʻau given in her honor by the Prince’s Own, a volunteer artillery unit. The event took place at 2 p.m. in the Armory, festively decorated for the occasion with flags, flowers, and evergreens. Those present toasted and cheered the Princess as well as King Kalākaua, who also attended. Though Princess Virginia Kapoʻoloku Poʻomaikelani, younger sister of Queen Kapiʻolani, was invited, she was unable to attend due to her recovery from an illness, the newspapers reported.
Today we toast and cheer in honor of our Queen. Hauʻoli lā hānau e Liliʻuokalani. E ola mau, e Liliʻu!
Image: Studio portrait of Princess Liliʻuokalani with signature; Kaumakapili Church Bazaar, Honolulu, Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi. May 1885. Photo by J. J. Williams, Bishop Museum Archives. SP 126313.
Image: Invitation addressed to Her Royal Highness Princess Poʻomaikelani to attend a celebration hosted by the Prince’s Own to commemorate the birthday of the Crown Princess Her Royal Highness Liliʻuokalani in the Hale Paikau [Armory] at 2 p.m. on September 2, 1885. Bishop Museum Archives. QM 210528.
Image sharing on social media is welcome; for all other uses, please contact Archives@bishopmuseum.org.
