Yesterday, the Royal Standard of Queen Lili‘uokalani was returned to Washington Place and displayed on public view for the first time in 130 years.

The Queen’s Royal Standard flew over Washington Place when Queen Lili‘uokalani was at home, until it was illegally seized in 1893.

Governor Josh Green, M.D., and First Lady Jaime Kanani Green, formally received the standard from Royal Guard and Sheriff bearers, who carried it in a procession, which included members from the Royal Societies and the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs, from ‘Iolani Palace grounds to Washington Place.  Joining Governor Green and the First Lady in receiving the Queen’s Royal Standard were Gussie Schubert, a descendant of the Dominis family and president of the Washington Place Foundation board of directors; Senator Jarrett Keohokālole, ‘ohana of the Queen and Chair of the Native Hawaiian Caucus in the Senate; and Representative Daniel Holt, a Dominis family relative and royal family descendant, as well as the Chair of the Native Hawaiian Caucus in the House. Captain John Dominis undertook construction of the royal home in 1842.

The State Archives were alerted that the standard was listed for auction and the process to bring it and other related items home began immediately. In order to prevent a long legal battle, Princess Abigail Kawānanakoa purchased the Queen’s Royal Standard while Brendan Damon Ethington purchased the ‘Soper letters,’ which included official reports and troop dispositions regarding the overthrow and subsequent counterrevolution.

The standard will join other Hawaiian Kingdom standards in the State Archives.

Photo credit: Office of Governor Green