QUEEN ELIZABETH’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

I am feeling somewhat nostalgic as I view Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Seventy years in any role is an unusual accomplishment. I can remember when her father died in 1952 and she ascended the throne. On her Coronation Day I decorated my bicycle and rode it in my hometown Coronation Parade. In the afternoon I joined all the other children at the Princess Theatre for free movies and candies. Later in 1953 she and Prince Philip visited New Zealand. They flew into our local airport and drove past my home. The route was decorated by floral arches and bunting. There was a lot of flag waving. For a twelve year old it was memorable.

When I studied Political Science at the University of Canterbury I took a course in the British Constitution which included a section on the history, evolution and mystique of the monarchy in comparison with American politics and the Soviet Union. The constitutional monarchy is a modern development of a non-political head of state who acts as a referee between the parties. She is also the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and a Commissioner of the Church of Scotland. There are no elections for the role, no campaigns to run, no interviews given. The role gives dignity to the state by its ceremonies. It elevates duty and service and provides leadership to numerous charities and events. All senior members of the royal family serve in some capacity in the military so that all branches are designated “royal”. All Members of Parliament must swear allegiance to the sovereign as the head of state. Queen Elizabeth has seen 13 Prime Ministers and U.S. Presidents come and go. She holds an audience with the PM every week to discuss affairs of state. She signs all bills into law that are passed by Parliament and reads all government documents sent to her. She earns her keep.

When I participated in a clergy conference at Windsor Castle in 1970 we were instructed how to address her if we bumped into her on the premises. We were to call her “Your Majesty” the first time and subsequently “Ma-am” to rhyme with ham. I worked for John Stott who was a Chaplain to the Queen. He used to preach for her at one of the Royal Chapels in London or Sandringham and was invited to join the family for a BBQ. His father had been a Physician to the Royal Household.

What is the secret of the Queen’s remarkable consistency of character? It is a question she herself answered.

“I know just how much I rely on my faith to guide me through the good times and the bad. Each day is a new beginning. I know that the only way to live my life is to try to do what is right, to take the long view, to give of my best in all that the day brings, and to put my trust in God. I draw strength from the message of hope in the Christian gospel.”

In her 2008 Christmas broadcast she said:

“I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth, who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life….We can surely be grateful that, two thousand years after the birth of Jesus, so many of us are able to draw inspiration from his life and message, and to find in him a source of strength and courage.”

Six months before her Coronation, Elizabeth asked people to:

“Pray that God will give me wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises I shall be making, and that I may faithfully serve Him and you, all the days of my life.”

Seventy years later we have seen those prayers answered. God save the Queen!