Today marks the 70th anniversary of the accession of Queen Elizabeth II to the throne of the United Kingdom, Canada and other realms in the Commonwealth and the scattered but distinguished remains of the British Empire (Gibraltar, St. Helena, Cayman Islands, etc.). Apart from ancient monarchs of fantastic longevity — such as the Egyptian Sixth Dynasty Pharaoh Pepi II Neferkare, who is alleged to have reigned from the age of six for 94 years — the Queen has reigned longer than anyone in modern history except Louis XIV, king of France from 1643 to 1715. But he was only five years old when he became king and was not able to govern in his own right until 1661. This Queen is the champion, and longevity is far from the greatest of her attainments. Despite occasional mockery from satirists, and embarrassments of some family members, and the shrinking of Empire, and the sometimes strained circumstances of the U.K. itself, Queen Elizabeth has not embarrassed her subjects or fellow citizens or herself even once in 70 years. History could be thoroughly ransacked without unearthing so blameless and diligent a record of service in so exalted and conspicuously public an office.
No comments:
Post a Comment