This year, Victory Day is scheduled for May 22. Although the holiday is named after Queen Victoria, it is her granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth, who is now honored on that date.
Queen Elizabeth turned 91 on April 21. Despite this, she advances her reign with a schedule and energy that many decades older cannot match. She had 294 engagements in 2016!
Films and documentaries review the sixty years he has been on the throne. However, I think none of these describe the importance he has placed on the separation of his personal feelings and the actual role of her than the Netflix series “The Crown”.
All the monarchs of the world have unique upbringing, character, culture and intellect. Although he is generally prepared for the position, there are stressors at both the micro and macro levels that put pressure on the ruler. Many of these are unexpected and could not have been foreseen. Times change, but the theme of “The Crown” is that to protect English monarchies, the constitution must be given priority over personal preference.
Queen Elizabeth has faced so many challenges, but she has stood her ground. She has never given an interview. She has not aired dirty laundry when her children were in crisis. She hasn’t slowed down even though she in most other jobs would have qualified for a pension over twenty-five years ago. But Queen Elizabeth is not the only aging monarch in the world.
There are several Asians and Middle Easterners who have reigned for decades and are in their 80s. Queen Margaret II of Denmark is 76 years old. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, born in 1946, has held the throne since 1973.
Monarchies don’t die when the monarch dies. At this time there are many heirs to the thrones in the wings. For example, there are three generations in direct line to take the English throne: Charles, William, and George. The Swedish king has five grandchildren under the age of five. Around the world, monarchs age and the next generations are born. The lineage is established.
Will the next kings and queens be firm and loyal to the constitution? Will they deal with their personal problems in private or spread them tactlessly? Will they work in partnership with other countries to promote peace, health, and growth, or will they arrogantly fight for power and position?
We don’t know what will happen before the next Victory Day celebration. There could be several significant changes in the world. But for now, I just give thanks for Queen Elizabeth, who has been a wonderful example to us with her strong work ethic, good health practices, strong character and her devotion to her people.
