Letter from Britain, No; 2, - A Royal Wedding

In my more radical younger days, I flirted with the idea of Republicanism, how could a major democracy still cling to the outmoded notions of Royalty. A small cabal of people with great privilege, and riches beyond dreams, with apparently little intellectual ability be our representatives on the global stage. How could inherited power be justified was a simple question that did not in the mind of a student elicit a satisfactory answer? My thoughts were not untypical of the musings of the young, but were much out of step of the mood of the vast majority of the country.

The recent news of the engagement of Prince William to Kate Middleton, was greeted in the UK and seemingly around the world with much excitement and interest; yes a few discordant notes on blog sites, but the overwhelming reaction was positive. I too found myself watching the news and commented to my wife, ‘how nice to have a good news story’. My thoughts were clearly more akin with the majority of my countrymen than in years past.

My earliest memory of the Royal family is from the mid 1970’s when a deranged man tried to kidnap Princess Anne (the Queen’s daughter). I remember the television reports describing how the assailant, Ian Ball, had forced Anne’s car to stop on the Mall, the road leading from Trafalgar Square to Buckingham Palace, and had shot the Princesses protection officer, and her chauffeur and a member of the public and passing policeman who had tried to protect the Queen’s only daughter. The reports told how 24 years old Princess remained calm, refusing to get out of the car, shouting at the gunman. Anne escaped physically unhurt, and her bravery impressed the nation. (Anne had already demonstrated her remarkable sporting skills, in winning European gold equestrian medal).    

A clearer memory is of the Queens Silver Jubilee in 1977, when I was around fourteen. The celebrations were a mixture of prestigious national events and small local street parties. Fourteen can be a difficult time to know ones place in the world, I was at that age where it would not be cool to be seen to enjoying the kids street party celebrations, but not old enough to just be allowed to ignore the proceeding. 

One of the big National events was the Royal review of the Fleet. Britain is a former great Navel power, and even in 1977 could muster over 160 ships of the line. (To put such in perspective the D. Day pre-invasion review involved more than 800 vessels).  My father had served in the Navy during the latter part of the War, and retained a great regard for all things spectacular involving the Navy. The review was held in the Solent, at Spithead the straight of sea off the southern English coast that separates the ‘mainland’ from the Isle of Wight.

Although at that time, we lived some distance away I was born in that part of the country and my parents had many friends in the area. On the day of the review, the weather was terrible, but it really was an incredible sight as Royal Yacht Britannia cruised up and down the assembled anchored fleet of firepower. Britain at the time was going through a very tough period of economic stagnation, we were known as the ‘sick man of Europe’, and the celebrations, both large and small were a welcome distraction. In a few years, our Economic fortunes would change, and many of those ships would be required to defend in anger Britain’s overseas interests.    

It is interesting that the economic revolution led by Margaret Thatcher in the 1980s that was also accompanied by demise of class and social barriers, did not reduce the popularity of the Monarchy. The reason of course, a young pretty girl had joined the Royal family; Diana Spencer married Prince Charles amidst global media frenzy in 1981. This most sweet young girl was about to blossom on to the world stage and captivate all before her. I did not meet her, or have any remote contact to the Princess of Wales, but I too was captured by her style and vunerability. I was enthralled by her ability to meet with Heads of State and the homeless, the sick and the rich, the ordinary and extra-ordinary, and be at ease with all. It is a rare human skill, to make all feel they are important and better for having met them; especially when for the vast majority, the meeting is not in person but via the TV or newspaper.

The demise of Charles and Diana’s marriage was at the time much discussed and self evidently the two were ill matched. Charles’s reputation was poor before the difficulties in his marriage and plummeted further after his divorce. Diana remained immensely popular and her tragic death in 1997 served to seal in aspic her exulted position in the public’s affection, and further undermine Charles.

In April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. The Argentinean military Junta had misjudged the character of the British people in general and Margaret Thatcher in particular. Whilst, Britain’s military strength was and remains far greater than Argentina, the Falklands is about 8,000 miles away from Britain. (To put the distance in perspective, London is about 5,500 miles from Seoul). To retake the Falklands we would need air supremacy, and yet due to the distance our jet fighter air force would be limited to 34 Harrier jump jets stationed on our aircraft carriers, against the 220 Argentinean jet fighters, that could take off from Argentina and overfly the Island. Whilst following our victory, it is easy to assume such was straight forward and assured, it certainly was not at the point when Mrs. Thatcher ordered that a Royal Navy Task force be assembled to sail to the South Atlantic and retake the Islands.

I mention the conflict because Prince Andrew, the Queens second son was a Sea-King helicopter co-pilot serving on the Aircraft carrier HMS Invincible. The government was concerned about his safety, and suggested he be posted to a ‘desk job’ to avoid action. The Queen insisted that Andrew remain in post and sail and if required fight alongside his comrades. The point that the Queen was not using her position to excuse her family from peril was not missed by the public, who have since held Andrew, despite the actions of his silly ex-wife, in high esteem. A similar reaction greeted the news almost thirty years later that Prince Harry had served a tour of duty in Afghanistan.    

Anne’s pluck, Diana’s beauty or Andrew’s commitment did not change my view of Monarchy, growing up did, along with an enduring respect of the Queen. Of course, it is an anachronism to have an unelected Head of State, and if we were building a country afresh, a Monarch would not be included in constitutional arrangements, but we are not.

The strength of the Monarchy does not lie in politics or executive action, in reality since the English civil war (1642-1651), Parliament has held sway, the Act of Settlement 1701 set out the relationship of Parliament and the Monarchy, Parliament has all the real power. However, the Monarch has retained influence, and even today, the Queen will meet regularly with the Prime Minister to discuss matters of State.  Such discussions are never made public, but in general terms, many Prime Ministers have stated that the Queen is able to offer great insights and has a breath of experience perhaps unequalled by other Heads of State.

The Queen has reigned for almost sixty years, and is currently Head of State of 16 Realms, David Cameron is her twelfth British Prime Minster, John Key is her fourteenth New Zealand Premier, Julia Gillard is the Queen’s Twelfth Australian Prime Minister and Stephen Harper is the 11 Canadian PM to have served in the Queen’s reign. The Queen has met the worlds most powerful and influential and can help her ministers by being an experienced sounding board. The Prime Minster can be completely candid with the Queen without any concern their comments will be leaked or discussed with others; consequently, the Queen is far more than a constitutional nicety. As supreme leader of the Church of England, her role may be ceremonial, and most of the Queen’s role as Head of State is also ceremonial, but must is not. It struck me earlier in the year when the Queen addressed the United Nations in New York, that the last time she had done so was in 1957, - 53 years ago. The Queen’s experience, gained over sixty years is an incredible asset, and the real financial costs are negligible, in any event, I buy into the proposition that we gain far more financially than ever we lose.

I am not a close watcher of the Royals, but in the similar way as her Mother, the Queen has become part of all our lives in Britain, not a big part, to most not an important part, but nevertheless a part. When great tragedy befalls, or great triumphs embrace the UK, the Queen is at hand, not granting interviews to push an agenda, but standing in our place in our stead.

It is true that we are fortunate that the Queen has served the country very well, and that other past Monarchs were less suited to the role. Indeed many feel that Charles would be a terrible King, however, the Queen is in robust health and seems set to reign for many more years, at present only George III and Queen Victoria have served longer, and most would hope the present Queen lives long enough to surpass them, and in so doing reduce the time Charles would Reign. At some point William will assume the role, if he has inherited his Grand Parents and Great Grandparents love of country and his mothers charm he will remain popular. Most including I know nothing of the real man or his wife to be, but I wish them well.

The abolition of the Monarchy seems a remote prospect; I recall a story that during the War when London was being bombed nightly, a senior politician, Lord Hailsham suggested to the then Queen, that the two princesses should be evacuated  to Canada. The suggestion was rejected, the Queen mother saying;

‘The children won’t go without me. I won’t leave without the King. And the King will never leave’.

I believe that sentiment remains true today……..
 

November 22, 2010  |  Article Posted By: James Hunter , London
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