Apr. 21, 2006
Today, Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her eightieth birthday. Since she ascended the Throne as Canada’s Head of State at the age of 25, the Queen’s sense of duty and constancy has been a special gift to this country. Her reign has seen tumultuous change; in some respects, the Canada of today little resembles the Canada at the start of her reign, in 1952. Yet through all those intervening years — through 11 Canadian prime ministers and 10 governors-general — she has served Canadians with dignity and distinction.
In 1951, Princess Elizabeth declared, “We belong to Canada,” and 55 years later that remains true. As her representative, Governor-General Michaelle Jean, said in a congratulatory message yesterday, “The connection between Her Majesty and Canadians is an enduring and deeply rooted one. The Queen’s devotion to Canada extends beyond her commitment as our Sovereign; it is personal and heartfelt.”
Through her devotion to duty, the Queen has also invested with relevance the ancient institution of monarchy, which can be traced back in Canada more than 500 years. All the old virtues which the institution represents — stability, loyalty, service, faith and family — are at least as important today as they have ever been, and each is indivisible from the Queen’s example.
As the Queen becomes an octogenarian, some might see her age as a liability, but just the opposite is true. Typical of many of her generation, the Queen is making important contributions well beyond what was once presumed to be retirement age. Not only is abdication out of the question, but the Queen has also not retreated to one of her estates to be waited upon by footmen, leaving the real work of the monarchy to others. As a young woman, she declared, “My whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service,” and she continues to fulfill that promise every day, travelling the world — plans are underway for a royal visit to Uganda — greeting endless rows of minor dignitaries and stroke patients — more than 400 engagements a year — all with her characteristic warmth, humour and interest.
Canadians, even those who would like to see Canada’s ties to the monarchy end with her reign, regard her with respect and genuine fondness. It is true that some part of this is merely familiarity — she came to the Throne before many of us were born and it is hard to fathom the country without her — but it is also true that her personal characteristics account for much of this abiding affection.
It is not only personal, however. Many people also recognize that the institution she embodies works here. Alone among the Queen’s overseas realms, Canada has been a leader in refashioning the institution, inventing the notion of a Canadian Crown that is separate from her other roles. This began with the appointment of the first Canadian governor-general in 1952, and the change of the Sovereign’s title to “Queen of Canada” in 1953. Since then, the Queen has given her authority to the development of a Canadian honours system and the establishment of the Canadian Heraldic Authority.
The Crown is inextricably part of the Canadian identity, serving to uphold Canadian traditions and heritage, and to recognize Canadian excellence and achievement. It is hard to imagine anyone more acutely aware of these responsibilities than Queen Elizabeth II.
God Save the Queen. Long may she reign over us.