It is probable that most readers of en are in favour of a constitutional monarchy rather than a republic, though of course there are arguments for both views. This is not the time and place for that discussion! But whether we are monarchists or republicans we can recognise that the length of service of The Queen is something both to mark and to celebrate.
She is, of course, Britain’s longest-serving monarch. And then there is also the manner in which she has conducted herself. Family travails have come aplenty for her – and one cannot but help feel for her in this regard – but she herself has been uniformly dignified, above any whiff of real scandal.
We have only to look across at the situation facing the Spanish monarchy (where King Juan Carlos had to abdicate in 2014 following scandals) or to the Netherlands (where King Willem-Alexander had to apologise in 2020 for ‘betraying the trust’ of his people) to see that monarchies don’t always work out so well. And when we consider a presidential system, the recent experiences of the US perhaps serve to many as a painful reminder of where things can end up!
The Queen is, of course, a committed Christian. Her 2012 Christmas speech was notable for the way it pointed to Christ and also, very gently, invited a response from all who were watching.
She said: ‘We remember that God sent His only Son “to serve, not to be served”. He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.’
And she added: ‘The carol In the Bleak Midwinter ends by asking a question of all of us who know the Christmas story, of how God gave Himself to us in humble service:
“What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; if I were a wise man, I would do my part…”.’
She concluded: ‘The carol gives the answer:
“Yet what I can I give Him – give my heart”.’
As we celebrate her example, pray for her (and the rest of the Royal Family) and – in heeding her call articulated there – give ourselves afresh to the service of Christ.
