The Queen
Queen Elizabeth II. (Click on the picture above to hear a live rendition of "The Queen" performed by the Halifax Boys Honor's Choir, Garrison Grounds, June 28th, 2010.
Whenever the Queen comes to Canada, there’s always talk about the role of the monarchy in the 21st century. At one time, support for the Queen seemed to be waning, but the unprecedented support given to her by Canadians surprised many who thought the Monarchy’s days were numbered.
Queen Elizabeth is a lady with many names and titles. According to Wikipedia (it’s a blog people, don’t expect me to fact check this with an Encyclopedia), the Queen has dozens of titles. The Queen is: Her Majesty Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas Queen, Defender of the Faith,Duchess of Edinburgh, Countess of Merioneth, Baroness Greenwich, Duke of Lancaster, Lord of Mann, Duke of Normandy, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Garter, Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Sovereign of the Most Illustrious Order of Saint Patrick, Sovereign of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Sovereign of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Sovereign of the Distinguished Service Order, Sovereign of the Imperial Service Order, Sovereign of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Sovereign of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Sovereign of the Order of British India, Sovereign of the Indian Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of Burma, Sovereign of the Royal Order of Victoria and Albert, Sovereign of the Royal Family Order of King Edward VII, Sovereign of the Order of Merit, Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour, Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order, Sovereign of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem.
Pretty amazing isn’t it? Perhaps it makes you glad that you only have three names. Some facts you may not know about the Queen. She is head of the church of England which makes her a religious leader of over 25 million Anglicans. During WWII, the young Princess Elizabeth was heavily involved in the war effort. She repaired and serviced trucks, motor cycles, and military jeeps. So if you’re ever four-wheeling with Her Majesty and you pop a tire, she could probably repair it quicker than you could.
The Queen is a person just like anybody else. She is loved by God, but no more so than you or I. Yet at the same time, she embodies an institution: she represents our liberal parliamentary democracy and all that it stands for. What do you think of this rather curious institution called the monarchy? Does it have a place in today’s world?
Categories: Community
No Comments »
« The General’s Pastoral Letter: Counting | Home | Happy Dominion Day: Put some praise in your Canada Day celebrations… »
