As a person who sometimes wonders whether the right side won the Revolutionary War of 1776, et seq.—and who sees the political philosophy instituted by the winning side as fundamentally and irredeemably flawed—the death of Her Highness Queen Elizabeth II is an occasion to reflect both on the end of a remarkable reign, and a better form of government. From the United States, of course, the British monarchy is considered not only part of an antiquated political system, but also a symbol of oppression, carefully inventoried in the catalogue of the offenses of King George III in the Declaration of Independence. Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth gave lie to both assertions.
I am among the least qualified people in the world to account for the lustrous details of Queen Elizabeth’s reign. A good American, my acquaintance with Her Majesty’s accomplishments barely exceeds the typical news headline, and is overdetermined by the foibles of her children and grandchildren. My considerations are more in the line of impressions and (perhaps) prejudices than empirical observations. But the impression is one of elegance, grace, and charity; and the prejudice is of a woman who exceeded all expectations and exemplified the dignity and, yes, the majesty of her office. Beginning her reign as a very young woman after the sudden death of her father, Queen Elizabeth immediately set the tone that would exemplify her long reign. She was then, and ever after, calm, steady, patient, sober and decisive. These are the qualities commonly absent in those who make and enforce the laws that govern us, on both sides of the Atlantic. And, of course, they are the virtues which endeared her to the people she served.
These virtues are the effect of her faithfulness to Christ and his Church. While, of course, there’s a certain ecclesiastical matter between Queen Elizabeth and most Catholic Herald readers, it was clear that Her Majesty was our faithful sister in Christ. Through her annual Christmas message and other public proclamations and speeches, she was articulate and sophisticated about her faith in Christ and the order that His reign has established, to which she was a humble servant. By all accounts she served Him dutifully and well, exemplifying the virtues of the Christian monarch.
And aside from the person, Her Majesty’s office is a reminder that political order and stability ought to be the goal of every regime. Through the exigencies and turmoil of modern liberal politics, Queen Elizabeth was a standard of constancy and sign of unity. Transcending political squabbling, she represented the order toward which our civic lives together should be oriented. We Americans would do well to look to her example as one who cares for the welfare of her realm, while eschewing the partisan politics that tend to divide it. In a world of turmoil, she was a voice of order. She will be missed, not only by her subjects in the United Kingdom, but by all who yearn for well-ordered civic life, exemplified by service and grace. May King Charles take up the standard sustained so brilliantly by his mother. Rest In Peace, Elizabeth, Regina; Long live Charles, Rex.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.