Issue #3 - February 2002
The Jubilee - Does Anyone Care?
My answer would have to be a resounding ‘Yes’. After 50 years of a successful reign, I think it is quite safe to say that people care about their Queen and want to celebrate this milestone! Of course, there have been the occasional ups and downs - a scandal here, a rumor there - but if you notice, they have never really brought down the opinion or affection for Her Majesty. If anything, she is the glue that holds the Royal Family together. She works hard and tries to see to it that everything runs smoothly.
Although she may not have always succeeded with some personal aspects of the family, she IS the integral part of keeping ‘the Firm’, as a whole, united. And this is no ordinary family! This is a dynasty whose culture and traditions are still envied, imitated, and inspiring to many for its regal beauty and seemingly divine authority. And to make it all the more inspiring is that Elizabeth II’s position in this dynasty could have passed her by… it was truly believed to be a divine act of events to get her to the throne. Her father Albert was only the Duke of York, but when his older brother abdicated, Albert became the king. Styled King George VI, he was an honorable man who was admired for his fortitude during WWII. Along with his wife, now the Queen Mother, they braved the bombs and won the hearts of their people. George also had a disciplined work ethic, which was instilled in his eldest daughter Elizabeth.
When he passed away, the new Queen Elizabeth II embraced her future as calmly as she could. She knew what lay ahead and soldiered on as she had been taught. Her Majesty has always been admired, even loved, as a princess. As Queen, she has gained even more respect by demonstrating tireless resolve in her work. Her Empire may now be a just a small Commonwealth, but it is no matter. It is the person who represents it that counts. Whenever the Queen visits a territory of the Crown, droves of people turn out to see her, come rain or shine. They hand her bouquets of flowers, chatter excitedly to her and are breathless and happy that she says even a small ‘hello’ in their direction. Even the staunchest republicans know that Elizabeth is a jolly nice woman whose fanbase is larger than they will admit. She has an enormous following, and it is not just her work ethics people admire, but her physical presentation as well. The Queen will flash a brilliant smile, which is highlighted by her glittering tiaras or cascades of jewelery. It is a look that makes her seem serene yet authoratative.
She travels all over the world, dressed in her fabulous Queen Wear - bright greens, reds, lavenders or yellows make up Her Majesty’s wardrobe. But that is for her public side when she meet dignitaries and other heads of state. That is her ‘business’ side. In private, the Sovereign lives simply. When at Balmoral, for example, she wears a plain shirt and tartan skirt. She’ll put on her boots and pull a scarf over her hair to go out riding. It has been said that The Queen makes sure that lights are turned off in unoccupied rooms in her palaces, and that the heat is turned down so as not to raise bills. This has been credited to her ‘Scottish sense of thrift’. The monarch will sit at her desk and read through stacks of paperwork so that she is well briefed in the affairs of state.
This is done even when she is on holiday at Balmoral. To The Queen, her work is never done. To be successful, she puts her whole heart and soul into it, and is conservative and down-to-earth. That is why people love her. While as ‘The Queen’ she exudes grace, a touch of celebrity, and professionalism, the private side of Elizabeth is also practical, warm, and friendly. It is a perfect mix! It was once said (and even echoed by Queen Victoria herself) that once Victoria’s reign was over, the ‘natural’ order of things would be restored when a king was on the throne again. But after such a long reign and given the fact that Victoria had lent her name to an era, the sentiments were exactly the opposite when she died. She was a queen who was loved, and I feel that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is like Victoria in this way. After Elizabeth, things will never be the same. Great and unique queens are rare, and Elizabeth is certainly a sovereign of distinction. All someone has to hear is ‘The Queen’, and they know immediately of whom you speak.
There are other queens in this world, but it is Elizabeth II who is The Queen. So celebrate the Jubilee Year! It is not only a time of happiness and remembering all of the momentous events in the Queen’s reign, it is a celebration of a woman who has worked hard and found a great love from her people.
©2002 Mandy’s British Royalty”
