Queen Elizabeth II Becomes Longest Reigning British Monarch: September 9, 2015


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Queen Elizabeth the great The Spectator
Queen Elizabeth the great

The second Elizabethan age has been an era of achievement – and the Queen deserves a significant share of the credit

That the Queen has lived to become our longest-reigning monarch — a milestone which she will mark quietly with a lunch next Wednesday — is in itself a sign of the golden age of prosperity which has been the second Elizabethan age. Over the 63 years of her reign, life expectancy for women has increased by a dozen years, to 83. The Queen may be remarkable for her age, but she is far from alone in modern Britain for having lived to a great age in good health. A team of 12 is now needed to send out royal telegrams congratulating those of her subjects to celebrate their 100th birthday.

To the increase in longevity over the past six decades can be added huge economic and social advancements. Almost all of it would, of course, have happened whoever was on the throne — and, as the Queen recognises, no matter who was in Downing Street. In a speech to the UN five years ago, she observed a truth that few politicians acknowledge: the greatest achievements are not guided by leaders, but by people being left alone to achieve what they can. ‘Remarkably, many of these sweeping advances have come about not because of governments, committee resolutions, or central directives — although all these have played a part — but instead because millions of people around the world have wanted them.’

The Queen’s own patriotism — a faith in the courage and character of her subjects — has informed her approach to her reign. She does not itch, as her eldest son sometimes does, to steer ministers one direction or another. Her approach has been one of service. Her daily schedule would alarm and exhaust someone half her age.

The most remarkable aspect of her reign is not its longevity, but its success. Britain has achieved something almost unprecedented in the history of human societies: the peaceful unwinding of an empire which, with a few exceptions, has been neither violent nor tragic. The Queen leads the Commonwealth with as much confidence as her great-great-grandmother ruled the empire; the difference being, of course, that membership of the Commonwealth is by choice and it is therefore an institution which is likely to be far longer lasting.

The Queen has succeeded in persuading former colonies to maintain an alliance with Britain because she is the world’s most accomplished diplomat. She is a tireless traveller and a meticulous observer of protocol. It is a tribute to her skill and carefulness that, even after being the centre of national life and appearing on a public platform in some form for almost every day for the past six decades, we still have next to no idea of her politics. We can guess, from her interests, that her private views are probably more aligned with those of the Countryside Alliance than the animal rights groups. Yet if she has political conversations in private, these have never leaked out.

That is the point about the reign of Elizabeth II. It is not just that the British public supports the monarchy by a very comfortable majority; they hold the Queen herself in huge affection — so much so that not even the Scottish Nationalists, who would happily untie everything else from the Act of Union, wish to remove the Queen as their head of state.

The British monarchy could easily have crumbled in 1936, or fallen with the empire, or been weakened by the marital scandals of the 1990s. That the crown has never been stronger is largely down to the strength of character of the Queen herself. She has preserved and strengthened the monarchy through humility and patriotism. The people whom she has served with such devotion have every reason to wish that the second Elizabethan age lasts many more years.
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And I like this picture from the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/05/article-2154890-13765C97000005DC-829_964x535.jpg

This isn't the whole article, but maybe i've posted too much of it.
 
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The Queen did not want a fuss, but that was always going to be a vain hope.

When she becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch on Wednesday, bells will peal out up and down the country, cathedral services will be held and there will a pageant on the River Thames.

The Royal Collection will stage exhibitions celebrating her achievement at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Holyrood House in Edinburgh.
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Read more: Whether she likes it or not, the Queen will get a fuss when she becomes Britain's longest reigning monarch - ITV News
 
Duc_et_Pair said:
People who drool about the Queen as "the epitome of duty" can only admire the Prince of Wales to honour his long-standing commitment and sense of duty for September 9th...

:whistling:
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You took the words right out of my mouth on this one. :D
 
ROYAL NORWAY said:
Queen Elizabeth the great The Spectator


And I like this picture from the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/06/05/article-2154890-13765C97000005DC-829_964x535.jpg

This isn't the whole article, but maybe i've posted too much of it.
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Thank you for sharing this. I love the sign. It describes Her Majesty to a tee. In our world of politicians, and crazy celebrities, it's great to have someone who has class, and a work ethic that should make others envious. I'll be honest, I call in sick, and very rarely feel guilty, because if I'm not in my best form, what good am I to my students? Yet, this woman, who is a lot older than me, goes, and does what has to be done regardless of weather, her personal feelings, etc. That is something to be admired. It doesn't look like much to some, but in today's entitlement-driven mindset, it's a breath of fresh air.



Sent from my iPad using The Royals Community mobile app
 
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Daria_S said:
Thank you for sharing this. I love the sign. It describes her Majesty to a tee. In our world of politicians, and crazy celebrities, it's great to have someone who has class, and a work ethic that should make others envious. I'll be honest, I call in sick, and very rarely feel guilty, because if I'm not in my best form, what good am I to my students? Yet, this woman, who is a lot older than me, goes, and does what has to be done regardless of weather, her personal feelings, etc. That is something to be admired. It doesn't look like much to some, but in today's entitlement-driven mindset, it's a breath of fresh air.



Sent from my iPad using The Royals Community mobile app
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My pleasure, and I agree with you.
 
As the Queen prepares to overtake Victoria as our longest-reigning monarch next week, she is being compared with the Queen Empress. It is true that both women became icons of their country. Both represent an idea of stability and duty. But they are also extreme contrasts.

If Victoria were alive today, her behaviour would make the monarchy totter. Her depression, over-excitement, selfishness, partisanship, outspokenness, favouritism and laziness would become apparent, via the media, to the world.

Even at the time, it was a constant struggle to prevent her opinions becoming known. To Gladstone, her most detested prime minister, she wrote to threaten abdication if he reformed the House of Lords. She “will not be the Sovereign of a Democratic Monarchy”, she told him. Luckily, her private secretary made sure the letter was not sent.
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Read more: The secret of Queen Elizabeth II's record reign: faith, patience, and a touch of cunning - Telegraph
 
Rudolph said:
The secret of Queen Elizabeth II's record reign: faith, patience, and a touch of cunning - Telegraph
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More from this article.
Suppose the Queen had expressed a dislike for socialism, or Scotland, or organised religion, or immigrants, or soldiers, or any of her 16 realms or some of her prime ministers. (Although she did have a forgivable soft-spot for the father-figures who awaited her when she came to the throne – Robert Menzies of Australia and Winston Churchill.) Suppose she had got drunk or shown her boredom or leaked secrets or fallen in love with the wrong man.

Suppose, in short, that she had been anything other than what she has been, and you will see how unhappily things would have turned out.

I do not believe that the Queen has avoided all this by cow-like placidity. She has done it because she has acted in character; and it is part of her own character to put her role before her self.

Her more wayward sister, Princess Margaret, used to say, with admiration and perhaps a twinge of envy: “Lilibet has always known the right thing to do.” In such a role, the “right thing” mixes morality with a touch of cunning. The Queen showed it last year, emerging from Crathie church. A fellow-parishioner asked her about the forthcoming referendum on Scottish independence. She said she was sure the Scottish people would think very hard before making their decision.

It was not banal to say something like that: it was clever, because it went exactly as close to conveying a view as she could. It was also morally correct for someone in her position: it attributed good motives to the voters, rather than telling them what to do.

This reconciliation of monarchy and democracy is not a freakish coincidence, but a real political discovery of the 20th century. Any list of the top 20 democracies in the world today would include Britain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Canada, Denmark, Australia, Norway and New Zealand. Elizabeth II is Queen of half of these nations. The combination of monarchy and democracy helps a country be free and secure at the same time.

In a less direct way, as head of the Commonwealth, the Queen exercises this peaceful influence over more than a quarter of the population of the world. Rather surprisingly, Queen Victoria – for all her high and mighty ways – was furiously opposed to race prejudice, and saw her imperial role as upholding what we nowadays call “universal values”. The present Queen has worked out a modern version which the post-colonial world can respect. Look at the extraordinarily powerful effect of her visit to Ireland in 2011. No politician can do that sort of thing.

None of this has been easy, and if people think it has been – well, that only goes to show how adroitly the Queen has played the part.

How has she done it? By statecraft, which is subtle, but also by her faith, which is simple. She is what the Bible calls “pure in heart”. Those who have worked with her observe how she is content, each day, if she has done her best and said her prayers. It is almost unique in the whole history of the world to have lived under such a sovereign for as long as most people can remember.
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Queen 'to make rare public speech' on day she overtakes Victoria as longest-reigning monarch - Telegraph
The Queen is expected to address the people of Britain and the Commonwealth in a short speech at a Scottish railway station when she sets her record on September 9

The Queen is expected to make a rare public speech thanking her British and Commonwealth subjects for 63 years of support when she becomes our longest-reigning monarch on Wednesday.

The station will be open to the public, who are expected to attend in their thousands to share in the Queen’s achievement. Television crews from all over the world will also be broadcasting the event, and the Queen may decide to use the opportunity to address not only the people of Britain, but of the 53 nations of the Commonwealth, an organisation whose success is her proudest achievement.
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That Telegraph extract, quoted, is a beautiful tribute to our Queen.
Particularly, she is indeed "pure in heart".
I wonder whether she herself will take the opportunity to pay a tribute to the great Queen Victoria, "Victoria the Good".
It is in my opinion a fitting occasion to think of these two magnificent reigns and how they have united so many people in admiration.
 
Very few people can say that they make an era.
QEII is one of them, we live in the second Elizabethan Era, there are people with grown grandchildren who have only lived under her reign, just amazing to think about.
I think her historical significance will only be seen when she is no longer amongst us.
 
leidi said:
Very few people can say that they make an era.
QEII is one of them, we live in the second Elizabethan Era, there are people with grown grandchildren who have only lived under her reign, just amazing to think about.
I think her historical significance will only be seen when she is no longer amongst us.
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Count me among one of those with grown grandchildren and one great grandchild that only remembers The Queen. Actually, I was born in the reign of her father, George IV, but he died before I was a month old. Although I am an American, I can't remember a time not knowing who Queen Elizabeth II was and I think if asked to identify various persons from a slide show of 100 people, 99% of them would instantly recognize HM.
 
I have one adult grandchild and others who are a bit younger. I can remember the Queen's Coronation, though I was only small. It was televised within Britain and I saw it on an extremely small screen, on a neighbour's TV set. There was a Coronation party at the house before we watched the ceremony! I can remember the images being very black, white and grainy! People like my aunts talked about the King's funeral but I can't remember anything of it.

When Victoria died apparently people said "She was on the throne when I was born and I expected her to be still there when I died." and those alive today will probably have those same feelings,... some time long into the future.
 
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Osipi said:
Count me among one of those with grown grandchildren and one great grandchild that only remembers The Queen. Actually, I was born in the reign of her father, George IV, but he died before I was a month old. Although I am an American, I can't remember a time not knowing who Queen Elizabeth II was and I think if asked to identify various persons from a slide show of 100 people, 99% of them would instantly recognize HM.
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Now hold on, you are 185 years old?! :eek: No, I think you meant George VI (although George V would still be possible). ;)

I wish the younger generations of the Windsor family were more like Queen Elizabeth, they should really work harder to reach the level she has set. Anne is very close though.
 
Catharina said:
Now hold on, you are 185 years old?! :eek: No, I think you meant George VI (although George V would still be possible). ;)

I wish the younger generations of the Windsor family were more like Queen Elizabeth, they should really work harder to reach the level she has set. Anne is very close though.
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'...they should really work harder.' Princess Anne and Diana, Princess of Wales both, in my opinion had and have work ethics.

Catharina said:
Now hold on, you are 185 years old?! :eek: No, I think you meant George VI (although George V would still be possible). ;)

I wish the younger generations of the Windsor family were more like Queen Elizabeth, they should really work harder to reach the level she has set. Anne is very close though.
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Catharina, how do you know how our fellow poster is not 185 years old and if they are, can they please pass on the secret of their longevity!
 
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ITV bows to longest-reigning Queen as Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway say “Good Morning Ma’am” - Mirror Online
The station’s breakfast show changes its name on Wednesday as Elizabeth II overtakes Victoria who held the throne for 63 year and 216 days

Good Morning Britain is changing its name to Good Morning Ma’am next Wednesday as the Queen becomes Britain’s longest-reigning monarch.

The ITV breakfast show is celebrating the milestone with a special programme dedicated to the Queen as she overtakes Queen Victoria to reign for more than 63 years 216 days.

The special programming is starting from Monday but the show will only change its name on Wednesday - something it has not done since its launch in April 2014.
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It seems so very sad, in my opinion that The Queen, if this is true, knew of her fathers death after others. I know that one of the ladies with her spoke, years later of how The D.O.E had said that privately he and HM had wanted a few more private years but it wasn't to be. Her composure on coming down those steps as a bereaved daughter and new Queen were breath taking.
 
Honeybees said:
Catharina, how do you know how our fellow poster is not 185 years old and if they are, can they please pass on the secret of their longevity!
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Trust me, there are days I wake up and feel that old. :ROFLMAO:

Most certainly I did mean George VI but as many long time posters here will tell you, I have troubles keeping them numbers straight.

As far as work ethics in the royal family, I really don't think it can be measured from person to person as each one is unique in and of themselves. I think a major difference too between then and now is that we do live in a global society where a burp can be heard around the world in mere seconds.
 
Osipi said:
Trust me, there are days I wake up and feel that old. :ROFLMAO:

Most certainly I did mean George VI but as many long time posters here will tell you, I have troubles keeping them numbers straight.

As far as work ethics in the royal family, I really don't think it can be measured from person to person as each one is unique in and of themselves. I think a major difference too between then and now is that we do live in a global society where a burp can be heard around the world in mere seconds.
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I know feeling! And some days feel like a week. I think we can have some idea how much work is done by written publications by individual royals, press coverage, Court Circular and individual charities. I really do believe that H.M, D.O.E and Princess Anne have impressive work ethics. I believe that they have a sense of duty that shines through. Just my opinion, you youngster:)
 
... and the best part of everything is that if you're having a bad day, you can go back to bed and get up again and start your day over again if you want to.

Oh I definitely agree that the elder royals do above and beyond what would normally be required of them. Charles and Anne both have impressive accomplishments to their names. As time goes by, perhaps we'll be seeing the same dedication in the younger set of the royal family. Children learn by example and in a way, I'm seeing Will, Kate and Harry getting their ducks all in a row to follow in their elders' footsteps. Who knows what the list of accomplishments will be credited to their names 50 years from now. By then I should be a ripe old 235 years old. :flowers:
 
Osipi, you go for it! Aim high, go for 300 years old so you can see Prince George's first engagements.
 
Honeybees said:
Osipi, you go for it! Aim high, go for 300 years old so you can see Prince George's first engagements.
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What the heck, I'll aim for both George's and Charlotte's weddings. I do so love royal weddings. :lol:
 
I'm planning to purchase the special £20 coin featuring HM's maturity during her reign to add to my growing collection of royal memorabilia. It will now span from George V's silver jubilee (handed down to me from my grandparents, who had an interest in royalty - my mother always says that she skipped the royalist genes and I got them instead :D) right up until HM's milestone of being Britain's longest reigning monarch.
***
Some more articles from The Telegraph that have been written for the special occasion:

The Queen is 'a still point in a tumultuous world' - Telegraph
Queen Elizabeth's 63-year reign captured in souvenir postcards - Telegraph
Alan Titchmarsh: every time I have met Queen Elizabeth II it has been hugely rewarding - Telegraph
 
THE hills will be alive with the sound of bells in Swansea and South West Wales to mark the moment the Queen becomes the nation's longest serving monarch.

Mumbles resident Tony Cottle has organised Wednesday's region-wide peal, which involves around a dozen churches and cathedrals, including All Saints Church, Oystermouth, St Mary's Church, Swansea, St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire, plus churches in Llangyfelach, West Cross, Penclawdd and Llanrhidian.

He said he simply phoned the various parishes, and even contacted the Archbishop of Canterbury, whose representatives explained their focus would be on Her Majesty's 90th birthday on April 21 next year.

"I thought we had to do something," said Mr Cottle. "It is such a momentous occasion."
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Read more: Bells to ring across West Wales as Queen becomes longest serving monarch | South Wales Evening Post
 
Osipi said:
What the heck, I'll aim for both George's and Charlotte's weddings. I do so love royal weddings. :lol:
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. That is more like it! Me and you, on here discussing the wedding gowns and flowers!
 
As she becomes the longest reigning British monarch, a news report from when the Queen moved up to fifth place:

From Warren's Collection...


"Queen trumps her namesake"
Author: N/A
Source: The Daily Telegraph (AU)
Published: June 13, 1996

 
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