July 4, 1776. That's the date on the official excuse note. It was signed by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and others, and delivered by George Washington. As of that date, it's official: We Americans don't have to worry or care about monarchs. And I don't.
That said, I can't help but feel a bit of affection for Queen Elizabeth II, who is celebrating her Diamond Jubilee as monarch. Sixty years on the British throne--longer than I have been alive. She has been an old school class act throughout her time as monarch. She has a powerful sense of duty that comes through clearly in whatever she is doing, even when it is plainly ridiculous, e.g., the fawning, idiotic statement she was forced to read upon the death of the hideously stupid, self-destructive airhead Princess Diana. The few times I have heard the Queen say anything off-the-cuff--she is usually very heavily scripted--she appears to have a refreshing and biting wit, with a touch of sarcasm. Her husband, the Greek-born Prince Phillip, is an appealing irascible old coot, who has dedicated his life to playing second banana.
Her parents were a class act, too, and she inherited that. Her sister did not, nor did the Queen's children. Prince Charles, the "heir apparent," is smart compared only to his two younger brothers. Charles would have been happy as a Hollywood celebrity jumping onto every fashionable cause and trend. He has shown deplorable taste in women, and, in essence, lived a wasted life. His brothers have done likewise. His children, Harry and William, seem somewhat better than their dad, but the jury is still out. I can see why the Queen has never given up the throne to her son, Britain's longest "serving heir apparent."
Anyhow, I like Queen Elizabeth. I wish her the best. Here's to another sixty years for you . . .
Following the monarch butterflies is a harmless enough hobby, and, of course, we have all watched this Queen conduct herself with dignity and occasional humility as figurehead and matriarch of her country.
ReplyDeleteSome of us might quibble with her mothering of actual children, though, and think renaming Big Ben is a paean too far.
Diplomad, wouldn't you have loved to have heard Queen Elizabeth II's comments after meeting President Barack Obama?
ReplyDeleteYou know the Queen saw through that two bit phony from the beginning.
Especially when he gave an IPOD full of his speeches
DeleteI'm quite sure the IPod merely confirmed what the Queen already suspected.
DeleteI'm sure it was subtle and devastating.
DeleteShe indeed is a remarkable Lady. Even in her mid-eighties she shows an impish but zestful lust for life and concern for the welfare of her people. Have toured St. George's Chapel and contemplated the very pew at which she is said to worship on (most) Sunday's. Find it exhilarating that we share the same belief.
ReplyDeleteIf not for Queen Elizabeth, the English monarchy would have collapsed due to the foolishness of the other members of the royal family in the following generation. Here is hoping she can stick it out until the grandchildren can assume the responsibility.
ReplyDeleteI met her up close when she and Prince Phillip visited the Cupertino CA HP facility way back in 84(?). She was classy then and remains so. Phillip was a bit of a commedian, pausing to tell jokes and then trotting to catch up with her with a big grin.
ReplyDeleteMarch 5th, 1983 should be the date. I recall it well because the next morning she left for her visit to Yosemite NP - which adventure was tragically impacted by the death of three US Secret Service agents in a head-on collision on a winding hill-country roadway involving a local sheriff's car and an off duty government escort sedan en route to deliver the next shift running only a few miles ahead of her regular motorcade.
Delete