Aging pop star Elton John got to be a king (not a queen I hasten to say) in one of yesterday's Superbowl ads. He has always thrived on "camp" and this commercial was no exception.
What I really want to highlight is that today marks the 60th anniversary of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, who is still officially our monarch in Canada. While other countries of the former British Empire have created greater distance from the monarchy we still have a Governor General who is, in name at least, the queen's representative.
I am no monarchist but I admire the fact that for six decades Queen Elizabeth has lived with what must be the rather stifling duties which go with being royalty. She was so young --twenty five- when this role was thrust upon her in a post-war Britain which was still in a rebuilding stage.
It is rather interesting that the British monarchy has actually experienced an upturn in popularity in recent years and our Prime Minister seems quite enamoured by the royal family. In our more liberal brand of Christianity we have downplayed the hierarchical nature of God as king, even though royal language is everywhere in the Old Testament. And while we may emphasize Jesus as the Galilean peasant these days, and use terms such as Lord less, we still have a Reign of Christ Sunday (formerly Christ the King Sunday) and have plenty of music and stained glass windows with royal imagery.
Any thoughts about Queen Elizabeth and the monarchy today? What about the use of royal language in referring to God and Jesus? I know you are reading out there. So how about some shared thoughts?
3 comments:
I admire the Queen's constancy.
She has set a very high standard for herself and has met it. She embodies past values in many ways from her parents time -- and that is comforting in a time of so much flux.
It is rather amazing, when you think about it. She's also closing in on Queen Victoria's record of, what, 62 years on the throne?
Thanks for your responses.
"Constancy" is a good word to describe the Queen's role and she does look good to surpass Queen Victoria's reign. The moral of this story? Queens "live long and prosper."
Reader Joe sent this comment:
I'd rather have The Queen than some washed up former cabinet minister or worse yet - another CBC "personality" - as a president...
Post a Comment