E=mc² and it has nothing to do with Physics (Elizabeth = Magnetic Charm times 2)
I am not British, which is probably why I’ve never been much of a royalist. Yet, I sat up to watch the BBC documentary on the Queen on Monday night. I must confess that not only did I find the programme informative, but I seemed to have developed a sense of admiration for the woman who is one of the most adored and respected Monarchs in History.
Like her or loathe her, there is no question about how widespread her appeal and influence stretches. She is after all, the only woman in the world, who does not need a passport to travel.
The Queen is loved across all generations. Children turn up to greet her wherever she goes. While we seldom see the private face, behind the public image, I’m absolutely convinced that among other things, she is a doting grandmother to all of her grandchildren. You only have to look at pictures from Prince Harry’s graduation yesterday to recognise this. They are both smiling, at what would ordinarily have been a more serious occasion. His smile paints a picture of open adulation. Hers is one of grandmotherly love and incredible pride.
So alluring is Her Majesty’s presence that fans and celebrities and even the most cynical of observers, have all confessed to feeling a bit awestruck in her company. Why, even the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne couldn’t hep but gush when asked about the Queen. He confessed to being totally mesmerised. In his words, “She has amazing skin, the bluest eyes and is a very pretty lady”. And yes, wife Sharon nodded, in agreement. Even Mohammed Al Fayed, who loathes the royals, has publicly acknowledged that “The Queen is a good woman”.
Her 54 years at the helm have not always been smooth sailing. The Queen has led a blemish free lifestyle, but the same cannot be said for the rest of her family, who over the years, have caused both shame and embarrassment. The antics of her family – Princess Margaret, the Charles, Diana and Camilla triangle, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Fergie have ensured that the tabloids were fed with a steady supply of trashy fodder. The whole Diana saga in the 1990s led to a royal thrashing from the press. Yet, despite all of this, Her Majesty seems to have weathered all storms with remarkable calmness, fortitude and grace.
There will always be critics, who consider her to be too old fashioned and far removed from the reality of Modern Britain. But these sceptics will be forced to reconsider their claims. The Queen is one of the first people to send an email (in 1976) long before it became fashionable. She carries a cell phone and has for years now, in those handbags of hers. She knows more about the actual goings-on in this country than any other person in history. Every Tuesday evening, she is privy to a confidential brief by the Prime Minister, where the affairs of the country are discussed. So she is acutely aware of every detail, of every truth and lie behind the issues. She has worked with 10 Prime Ministers during her reign. Now, when you consider this in a larger perspective, the sheer magnitude of it all hits you. She quite astonishingly holds 54 years of factual knowledge about this country that no other person in history does. Knowledge that she will take to her grave.
No, Her Majesty is not old fashioned. She is principled, consistent, focused and acutely aware. She demonstrated time and again what a strong sense of duty and loyalty she has towards her nation. She has never cancelled an appointment or public engagement. Even at 80 (she will be 80 on the 21st of April, 2006) she continues to inspire and lead.
Who knows what the future holds for the Monarchy? Self-destruction has always been their problem. So the choices they make, will dictate their future. At the moment, it looks fairly certain that the Throne will be inherited by Charles and then William. But they have miles to go and lessons to learn before then. Prince Charles needs a crash course in diplomacy, which is just one, in a host of other skills he lacks. Prince William is young and has a lot of living to do before he becomes King. One thing is certain; there will never be a Monarch quite like Her Majesty, the Queen.
I suspect the Monarchy will be around for while to come, but just how brightly their star will shine in the future, remains to be seen. Their long term survival will depend on how they conduct themselves and on their sense of commitment to the nation. One of the Queen’s remarkable achievements has been that she has remains inexorably pragmatic enough to stay popular. How well the future Monarchs continue in this vein will ultimately decide their fate.
But, for the present, this country is blessed with a Monarch who has been steadfast in her duty towards the nation. A woman who is remarkably spiritual, patient and who displays tremendous grace under pressure. A woman who has stood for good values and good judgement. A woman who has never let her nation down.
I’m not attempting to canonise The Queen through this Blog post of mine. I’m not British. Her Majesty is not my Queen. But unlike a certain Prime Minster’s wife, who thinks that the Queen does not deserve a curtsey, I am happy to grant the Queen the respect she so rightly deserves (she’s definitely earned it). And I salute her.
“Happy Birthday Your Majesty! God Bless and long may you continue to reign.”
Like her or loathe her, there is no question about how widespread her appeal and influence stretches. She is after all, the only woman in the world, who does not need a passport to travel.
The Queen is loved across all generations. Children turn up to greet her wherever she goes. While we seldom see the private face, behind the public image, I’m absolutely convinced that among other things, she is a doting grandmother to all of her grandchildren. You only have to look at pictures from Prince Harry’s graduation yesterday to recognise this. They are both smiling, at what would ordinarily have been a more serious occasion. His smile paints a picture of open adulation. Hers is one of grandmotherly love and incredible pride.
So alluring is Her Majesty’s presence that fans and celebrities and even the most cynical of observers, have all confessed to feeling a bit awestruck in her company. Why, even the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne couldn’t hep but gush when asked about the Queen. He confessed to being totally mesmerised. In his words, “She has amazing skin, the bluest eyes and is a very pretty lady”. And yes, wife Sharon nodded, in agreement. Even Mohammed Al Fayed, who loathes the royals, has publicly acknowledged that “The Queen is a good woman”.
Her 54 years at the helm have not always been smooth sailing. The Queen has led a blemish free lifestyle, but the same cannot be said for the rest of her family, who over the years, have caused both shame and embarrassment. The antics of her family – Princess Margaret, the Charles, Diana and Camilla triangle, Prince Harry, Prince Andrew and Fergie have ensured that the tabloids were fed with a steady supply of trashy fodder. The whole Diana saga in the 1990s led to a royal thrashing from the press. Yet, despite all of this, Her Majesty seems to have weathered all storms with remarkable calmness, fortitude and grace.
There will always be critics, who consider her to be too old fashioned and far removed from the reality of Modern Britain. But these sceptics will be forced to reconsider their claims. The Queen is one of the first people to send an email (in 1976) long before it became fashionable. She carries a cell phone and has for years now, in those handbags of hers. She knows more about the actual goings-on in this country than any other person in history. Every Tuesday evening, she is privy to a confidential brief by the Prime Minister, where the affairs of the country are discussed. So she is acutely aware of every detail, of every truth and lie behind the issues. She has worked with 10 Prime Ministers during her reign. Now, when you consider this in a larger perspective, the sheer magnitude of it all hits you. She quite astonishingly holds 54 years of factual knowledge about this country that no other person in history does. Knowledge that she will take to her grave.
No, Her Majesty is not old fashioned. She is principled, consistent, focused and acutely aware. She demonstrated time and again what a strong sense of duty and loyalty she has towards her nation. She has never cancelled an appointment or public engagement. Even at 80 (she will be 80 on the 21st of April, 2006) she continues to inspire and lead.
Who knows what the future holds for the Monarchy? Self-destruction has always been their problem. So the choices they make, will dictate their future. At the moment, it looks fairly certain that the Throne will be inherited by Charles and then William. But they have miles to go and lessons to learn before then. Prince Charles needs a crash course in diplomacy, which is just one, in a host of other skills he lacks. Prince William is young and has a lot of living to do before he becomes King. One thing is certain; there will never be a Monarch quite like Her Majesty, the Queen.
I suspect the Monarchy will be around for while to come, but just how brightly their star will shine in the future, remains to be seen. Their long term survival will depend on how they conduct themselves and on their sense of commitment to the nation. One of the Queen’s remarkable achievements has been that she has remains inexorably pragmatic enough to stay popular. How well the future Monarchs continue in this vein will ultimately decide their fate.
But, for the present, this country is blessed with a Monarch who has been steadfast in her duty towards the nation. A woman who is remarkably spiritual, patient and who displays tremendous grace under pressure. A woman who has stood for good values and good judgement. A woman who has never let her nation down.
I’m not attempting to canonise The Queen through this Blog post of mine. I’m not British. Her Majesty is not my Queen. But unlike a certain Prime Minster’s wife, who thinks that the Queen does not deserve a curtsey, I am happy to grant the Queen the respect she so rightly deserves (she’s definitely earned it). And I salute her.
“Happy Birthday Your Majesty! God Bless and long may you continue to reign.”
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