I actually remember the summer of 1981 fairly well. It was the summer that Israel bombed the Iraqi nuclear reactor and the summer of Prince Charles' wedding to Princess Diana. It was also the summer that I backpacked through Europe and the last (and only) time I was in London, until this past week.
I remember vividly all the hoopla surrounding this supposed "fairy tale" wedding and I also remember being completely confounded by it. Why was it such a big deal? Why did it capture the imagination of so many? What was the attraction of the monarchy? Why did it continue to survive? My North American mind just could not compute.
Fast forward 35 (gasp!) years later. I am once again in London and this time the hoopla is focused on the Queen's 90th birthday. Yes, if I didn't know before I certainly know now that she is the longest reigning monarch. There has been some nice china commissioned in her honor, not to mention tea towels and actual tins of tea. It is big news.
And this time around I feel less dismissive (although not sure I want to be immortalized on a tin of Earl Grey!). I feel less scornful, less openly contemptuous. I am glad to discover that at least my character has improved over that last 35 years!
I think I now have a glimmer of understanding of what the monarchy means and what it can do for a nation and its people.
When we see a king or queen, we make a blessing – not because of their royal robes or carriage or tiara or even their magnificent castles (should I tell you about our side trip to Blenheim Palace?) but because seeing flesh and blood royalty gives us just the barest hint of the glory of the Almighty, just the faintest taste of the awe we should have for our King of kings.
This is what the monarchy can accomplish. It lifts us out of ourselves. It gives us a moment of transcendence. For just the briefest second, my difficulties and challenges and disappointments disappear. I am lifted into a "fairy tale" world of kings and queens and pageantry and power.
It's true that their lives are all too human – complicated and messy just like ours. But the power of the monarchy is not the involvement in their personal intrigues but its ability to give us the sense of something more – something greater, something more meaningful, something bigger than me and my seemingly petty concerns.
I couldn't see it all those years ago. And maybe I didn't need to. Even now the queen's birthday celebrations don't quite lift me out of my struggles and, thank God, I have the Almighty to turn to for that. But I can appreciate the power of her role and her image and why the British people may want and even need her.
It's the desire for meaning. It's the hope for transcendence.
(5) guyporon, January 1, 2017 5:20 PM
princess
I guess you´re a princess, aren´t you`? I like reading you!
(4) John, July 26, 2016 7:31 PM
Thank you.
As an English reader and a 'monarchist'; thank you for such an insightful and beautifully written article.
(3) Monika Kimball, July 26, 2016 4:34 PM
The monarchy fosters feelings of superiority through the display of the Brits history and hegemony over others.
The continued existence of the British monarchy with its pagentry is a feel good tool for the masses who are secretly wishing that Great Britan's glory days were still here, ergo its superiority over others. ( Forget the mess they have left in the Middle East). The annual taxpayer costs to support the royals is
another point left for another discussion.
Gilana, July 26, 2016 9:01 PM
What a cynical and one-eyed point of view
I have to disagree with your very assertive point of view. As a proud English Jew, I have never encountered a single British countryman who still yearns after empire. Most British people are pragmatic and grounded, and firmly invested in the modern day. The monarchy provides a sense of security, identity,and pride for most of us. The Queen works hard and serves her country in a positive and dedicated fashion which most of us find admirable and inspiring. Great Britain has no need to hark after the past when it's a modern, vibrant country with a strong economy and the recent courage to break free from the EU. There's nothing wrong with a bit of pageantry, and British history IS good for the masses, as it provides a temporary escape from our day to day lives. Lastly, I don't know a single person who begrudges a penny of their taxes. The Royal Family earns a huge amount of national revenue through tourism alone. The reference to G-d in the article was inspiring, and I too, feel huge gratitude and pride for living in a country which encourages reverence and dedication.
(2) Canuck, July 26, 2016 1:47 PM
As a Jewish Canadian I am proud of my Queen.
And so, I truly believe, are the majority of my fellow Canadians. Yes, it's also true that in this country there is a certain sneering, contemptuous, radical-left-wing element that enjoys ridiculing the monarchy. Especially on the point that "Hey, they didn't really earn their wealth & status!" Well, whenever I meet one of those scorners (& it's rare that I do), I simply ask them if THEY earned everything they have. When they inevitably respond that no, they did get some inheritance, I point out that the royals are basically like them but just on a larger scale. This usually shuts them up.
(1) Annie, July 26, 2016 12:51 PM
simply put: Cheeri-oh!
Well said, short and sweet.
Interestingly enough, Canadians don't care as much for British royalty but Americans go crazy over them
I believe the British Monarchy really does represent as you describe, and Americans are in dire need of these values more than ever