No matter what your feelings might be about the role of monarchy and crown in the modern world, the passing of Queen Elizabeth is a profound milestone. Through wars, cultural shifts, international upheaval and numerous democratic leadership changes at home and abroad, she was a constant unwavering symbol of steadfastness for her country and nations around the globe. While we here in the United States may not be directly affected by her passing, reflecting on her life can remind us of traditions and values shared by both countries, that are worth preserving and defending. Queen Elizabeth was not perfect and she would have been the first to admit as much. But over the course of 70 years she made it her job to embody, as best she could, the highest virtues and values of her nation.
Service and Duty. Queen Elizabeth was not expecting to become Queen but a series of events resulted in her ascension to the throne of England which she accepted with a great degree of humility, because it was her duty. At the beginning of her reign she said, “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.” By most accounts she lived up to this promise. As a young woman, she rose to the occasion and took on the responsibilities of the role, which were many. She was a symbol of strength and resistance to her fellow countrymen during WWII as the bombs fell all around her in London. Then and throughout her life she was devoted to serving her country and commonwealth in a myriad of ways.
Family. The Queen was unwaveringly loving and loyal to her family. She may not always have approved of their decisions and doled out consequences for those choices when necessary, but she adored her children and grandchildren.
Charity. Queen Elizabeth championed numerous causes including cancer research, veterans causes, community & civic causes, children’s education, and environmental and conservation efforts.
Faith. As Queen she was, by tradition, the head of the Church of England and a devoted Christian in the Anglican faith. She regularly attended services and tried to live her life following the principle teachings of Jesus Christ. In 2008 the Queen said: ‘I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life … He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.’ She also applied principles from her faith in her championing of international peace and reconciliation. In 2011 she said, ‘Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God’s love.’
Restraint and Temperance. Throughout her life, Queen Elizabeth exercised restraint in her daily life. She rarely showed excitement or worry and was the quintessential embodiment of “stay calm and carry on”. She was classy but not flashy. Aside from the obligatory trappings of Royal ceremonies she exhibited a style and public demeanor that imparted constancy and poise. While rarely if ever overly expressive, she would often offer up an approving warm smile and twinkle in her eye to visitors and subjects putting them at ease. The Queen was the highest example of personal modesty. During a period when her physical empire was shrinking, being questioned and reconfigured, her stability and elegant persona served to strengthen the monarchy and maintain its relevance in the minds of the English and people around the world.
Our country and the world would really benefit if we all put more time and effort into these.