Queen Elizabeth II yesterday became the longest-reigning monarch in British history, surpassing her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria. As the queen enters her 90th year, she thus also becomes the world’s oldest reigning sovereign and Britain’s longest-lived monarch.
Malta has its own special connection with the monarchy. Between 1949 and 1951, the then Princess Elizabeth lived for a short while in Malta when her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, served in the Royal Navy. Prior to the proclamation of the republic, between 1964 and 1974, Elizabeth II was also the Queen of Malta.
She has visited Malta in an official capacity on four occasions: in 1954, 1967, 1992 and 2005. In 2007, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited in a private capacity. She is due to undertake a State visit in November 2015 as part of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting.
In 1952, following the sudden death of King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II was proclaimed monarch.
Since then, even the staunchest republicans have grudgingly conceded that she has fulfilled her role with the utmost dignity and tact that befits the office.
This was no easy task. Twelve Prime Ministers served during her reign and they included indomitable figures such as Sir Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair.
During her reign, Britain went through momentous reforms which changed the political and social landscape of the country.
Britain is no longer an empire; the decolonisation process that kick-started in the late 1940s came to an end with the handover of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China in 1997. Its role in the world has changed and it carries considerably less clout in the international arena. The British armed forces have declined in size and scope, although they still serve admirably in a number of locations around the globe.
Britain itself has changed; the four constituent countries of the United Kingdom now have devolved government with assemblies located in Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.
Perhaps Elizabeth II was the only constant along the years during which Britain saw tumultuous changes
Perhaps, Elizabeth II was the only constant during these years. All these tumultuous changes may make the monarchy seem like an uninteresting by-product, a relic of a bygone era. Yet, this viewpoint does not take into consideration the importance of symbolism in politics and diplomacy.
The annual ceremonial during the State Opening of Parliament alludes to a continuity of constitutional conventions, State visits remain an important and significant part of diplomatic practice, Buckingham Palace continues to be a rallying point during times of national celebrations while royal events capture the imagination of millions, thereby cementing feelings of national cohesiveness.
Although the monarch has no real political power, she is vested with considerable authority that grants legitimacy to a number of political actions. Elizabeth II has exercised this role in an exemplary manner, never exceeding the boundaries set by constitutional convention and always acting in a non-partisan manner.
In his book The English Constitution, 19th century essayist Walter Bagehot describes the role of the constitutional monarch. The monarch personifies the role of the government for the masses and embodies the “complex laws and notions for the inquiring few”. He identifies three rights which the monarch can exercise: the right to “be consulted, encourage and warn”.
Writing during the reign of Queen Victoria, Bagehot notes that the queen enjoys an unparalleled level of respect: “the Americans were more pleased at the queen’s letter to Mrs Lincoln then at any act of the English government.”
Elizabeth II enjoys similar admiration. She has exercised her rights with the utmost discretion and impartiality and she commands the respect and admiration of many.
In 1999, 55 per cent of voters in Australia rejected a constitutional amendment to replace the monarchy with a republican system of government. The small island nations of Tuvalu and St Vincent and the Grenadines also rejected a proposed republican constitution. Support for the monarchy remains fairly high in both New Zealand and Canada.
The affection many have towards the monarchy owes much to the persona of Elizabeth II. As she enters her 90th year, she shows very little signs of slowing down.
Her unstinting dedication to public life came at a high price. As some deeply personal family issues were played out in the full glare of the media, she preserved the dignity and the gravitas that the office required. In contrast with other European monarchies, she did so without demystifying many of its traditions.
A number of celebrations and commemorative events are being planned ahead of her 90th birthday in April. Such festivities serve as a reminder that public service and public life are still important values which help shape a healthy society. Maintaining such values often requires personal sacrifice and dedication from the individuals who occupy these roles. In this regard, Elizabeth II is the perfect role model.
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