Congratulations to Her Majesty the Queen on Her Platinum Jubilee
7 February, 2022
Yesterday, February 6th, gentle reader, Her Majesty the Queen celebrated her seventieth anniversary of her accession to the throne. Seventy years spent in service to her realms! That is truly a landmark anniversary, not just for reigning monarchs, but for any working person. Even before the death of her father, the late King George VI, she and her husband, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, worked in representing her father to the remaining countries of the slowly disintegrating British Empire. This grand lady has spent her entire adult life working in service of her realms of the United Kingdom of England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland (Wales is not mentioned, since it is a principality), Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, along with all her other territories, dominions, and Commonwealth realms.
As a Canadian, I am proud to have her as my sovereign. Her reign has seen so many great, and often turbulent events. Her personal life has seen both joyous and tragic happenings. Yet, throughout them all, Her Majesty has continually shown grace, patience, fortitude and faith. Even in the midst of her woes, she continued, and continues to serve and work.
Yes, gentle reader, she works indeed! She is the best informed head of state, meeting with her Prime Minister weekly to be consulted, to encourage, and to warn if necessary, in regards to the governance of her realm. She regularly meets with her people in visiting cities, establishments, and institutions. Although the United Kingdom, and Canada are constitutional monarchies, the monarch holds quite a bit of power, but chooses to delegate it, or not to use it. This is known as the "Royal Prerogative".
The royal prerogative includes the powers to appoint and dismiss ministers, regulate the civil service, issue passports, declare war, make peace, direct the actions of the military, and negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances, and international agreements. It is the prerogative of the monarch to summon and prorogue (dismiss) Parliament. Before any bill passed by the Houses of Parliament can become law, it must have the Royal Assent, which in theory can be withheld, although such has not occurred since 1703.
The monarch is deemed "the Fount of Justice", and as such all judicial functions are exercised in her name. The Queen is also immune from prosecution, since according to the British common law, the sovereign "can do no wrong", although lawsuits may be issued against her government. The Queen also has the right to exercise the "prerogative of mercy", granting pardon to any convicted criminal, or reducing their sentences.
The sovereign is also the "Fount of Honour", the source of all honours and dignities granted in the realm. She creates all peerages, appoints members of all orders of chivalry, bestows knighthoods and grants all other honours.
In addition, all members of the armed forces take their oaths of allegiance to the Queen, not to the Prime Minister, Parliament, or the constitution.
Yes, gentle reader, she lives in luxury, and is one of the wealthiest women in the world (most of her personal income comes from her personally held hereditary Crown Estates and the Duchy of Lancaster, and yes, the Queen pays tax on her personal incomes). The luxury and privilege comes with a price - she is constitutionally unable to express her personal opinion on matters political and must remain impartial and above politics to serve the needs of all. It seems much like living in a golden cage. Yet, despite this, her Majesty has not complained, but continued to serve.
For those cursed by living in a republic, it may seem that the monarchy, constitutional as it is, is an out-dated and unnecessary thing. I beg to differ, gentle reader. Imagine if the President of the United States had to go, hat in hand, each week and meet with Uncle Sam, the visible embodiment of the nation. Imagine how the President would have to bow in respect, then answer Uncle Sam's questions, or even receive a mild rebuke. The President would certainly know, and feel, that he is not the be-all and end-all of power, but merely one of many a political servant, who comes and goes at the whim of the voters. Ah well, the founders and revolutionaries thought such things pure fiddle-faddle. However, I think it would bode well for this nation.
You may think me, gentle reader, an anachronistic and addle-pated fool in my monarchical leanings, and that is your right. But, I think you would agree, gentle reader, that this grand lady of 95 years works harder and more diligently than you or I. For that reason alone, I think all should wish Her Majesty the best, and thank her for a life of self-giving service.
God save the Queen! Long live the Queen!
As ever, gentle reader, God bless all!
Father P.
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