100 Years of Elizabeth

The largest difference in the reigns of Elizabeth I Elizabeth II was the type of reign. Elizabeth I had been a ruler. Elizabeth II is considered to be a constitutional monarch. She does not rule in the same sense that her predecessor had. In her case she is consulted as to the decisions made by the Prime Minister and Parliament. Her actual political views are not voiced publicly. She keeps her opinions to herself and closely guards her private life.

Hard decisions were not a stranger to Elizabeth II. She had to choose between family and duty as well, when her sister Margaret requested the Queen’s blessing in her union with decorated British pilot, Peter Townsend.  Being Queen put Elizabeth II as head of the Church of England and was a leading factor in her decision to uphold the church’s position that members of the royal family could not marry anyone who has been divorced. This decision to put duty first became a defining factor of her reign.

In 1992 Elizabeth II demonstrated remarkable resilience and dignity through a great deal of negative publicity caused by the separations and subsequent divorces of three of her children, to include the next in line to the throne, Prince Charles. The beginning was Prince Andrew’s announcement that he would be divorcing the Princess Sarah Ferguson. This event was followed by Princess Anne divorcing Mark Phillips. As the year came to an end the hardest blow for the Queen occurred. Prince Charles and Princess Diana announced their separation. One year and three failed marriages had caused the Queen to give the year 1992 the title of being her Annus Horribilus in her Christmas message to the populace. It was probably the hardest year of her life.

From the outset, Elizabeth II garnered high esteem and affection from the populace of not only the country but the entire Commonwealth. In over fifty years of service, she has become the most widely-traveled monarch in British history. She possesses a strong sense of responsibility, and dedication to her country and the people within it. Despite a succession of controversies, Elizabeth II remains an uncontroversial and widely respected figure.

For over one hundred years, collectively, England and most of the known world has been fascinated with the reigns of Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II. There was much celebration and happy circumstances at times. But no reign has been perfect. Throughout the centuries, monarchs have had to make hard decisions and demonstrate, with grace and dignity, their own diligence to their duties, and dedication to their countries. Some did not do this well, and still others did it with brilliance. No matter which way a monarch ruled, it is almost guaranteed that hard decisions were made at a great cost to someone. The weight of a crown is one of the heaviest weights one could carry. Elizabeth I and Elizabeth II have managed to do this well for over a century, combined.