On July 29, 1981, I watched as the Lady
Diana Francis Spencer married HRH Prince Charles the Prince of Wales. The local news network played the coverage
all day as I sat in front of the TV in awe of this beautiful and mysterious
privileged life. The research that I did
on a group of people remind me of how I loved to read about each of the members
and history of this family. I never
thought of the way this family lived. I
wanted to explore their spiritual, protocol and their sense of duty that surrounds
this family.
One of the first things that I included in
my experience was what kind of meal the Queen of England and her family might
eat. I started with the obvious of Fish
and Chips. I went to a Scottish
restaurant called McNivens. I know that
the Royal Family is from England, but the Queen of England is the
constitutional Head of State of many countries.
A few of these countries consist of, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, (includes England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)
Australia, and Canada. Secondly, I went
to the Christ Church Cathedral. This
experience was very personal to me because as a child being an Episcopalian
meant that I was a step closer to Diana Princess of Wales. The Episcopal Church here in America is the
equal to the Anglican Church in England.
This experience was an important aspect because the Queen not only has
her Parliament, but also is the head of the Church of England. I was especially thrilled because the
ceremony of the Anglican Church has a special significance to the faith of
those who belong to the church. In the
Faith of the Anglican Church each part of the ritual means something to the
Body of Christ. The music provides for
the congregation to come together as one.
The incense depending on the season provides the atmosphere that there
is something important going on. All of
the smells and activity of Mass leads the congregation to a higher
calling. This may help those of the
Royal Family to also look to a higher power other than themselves. Maybe it’s a reminder that God put the Royal
Family in their place of power.
One
of the most complicated Monarchs to grace the throne of England was King Henry
VIII. He is controversial because of his
six marriages. These women either
divorced from the King as in Katherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves. Of course, there were the many wives of the
King who suffered a fate of beheading.
It was the divorce of Katherine of Aragon, so that he can marry Ann
Boleyn that created what we now know as the Church of England. Henry VIII created himself the head of the
Church of England in order to marry Ann Boleyn.
This produced strife between him and the Catholic Church in Rome. The pope at the time excommunicated the King and
his split with the church in Rome was complete.
The Monarch of today is still the Head of the Church of England. She regularly meets with the clergy. The
priest and bishops all take the allegiance oath to the Queen. In her coronation as will Prince Charles and
Prince William they will take an oath to defend the church. The Royal Family today regularly attends church
and it is part of their lives. For
instance, as seen in the Movie “The Queen” the clergy ask Queen Elizabeth II if
he should mention Diana Princess of Wales, but because she was trying to
protect her grandsons, Diana’s children, she said no. Her thought was that it would only upset the
boys and it was after all a private matter.
She takes her position seriously as head of the church, but maybe not as
seriously as her ancestor. The
beheadings after all do not have a place in England.
The Royal Family has been described not as
a family but as “The Firm” as told by HRH King George of England. I particularly remember this when watching
the movie the “The King’s Speech.” This
is evident in the royal engagements that the royal family takes on sometimes on
a daily basis. Although, the Queen is
almost ninety Prince Charles and Prince William have taken on more royal
engagements. Although, we as an adoring
public see only the royal engagements the Queen has more responsibilities. As the Queen of England is the head of the
church she also is the head of Parliament and she is considered a
Constitutional Monarch. She is also the
head of the England’s armed forces in which many members including her have
served. Her role in the Government is
mostly symbolic. She holds regular
meetings with the Prime Minister and the Chief of Defense Staff and single
service staff. I was surprised to find
out the Queen is the only person to declare war. This is an old tradition, yet in this day in
age it is done with the advice of her ministers. The Queen and her family provide as central
figures in the pride, unity and identity as a nation. It may
seem that they live a life that is spoiled, but they take the gift that
Parliament and the British people provide for them and do their best to give
back through military service and volunteer work.
There are many ways I have found that we
can take a look at what it means to be a part of this lifestyle. This is through the veil of movies. The two best movies are, “The Kings Speech”
and “The Queen.” In these movies while
surrounding a serious part of the families’ life there is still protocol that
must be followed. For instance, the movie
“The Kings Speech” dealing with the speech responding to Hitler’s attacks on
England. The speech therapist pushes
boundaries of addressing King George VI.
He learns how to address the Queen Elizabeth, mother of the then future
Queen Elizabeth II, as Her Royal Highness first then ma’am as in ham. The king’s speech therapist pushes his
boundaries while discussing the matter of his older brother, King Edward VIII
abdicating his throne to marry Wallace Simpson.
It was treason to suggest that the then Duke of York could assume the
throne. In today’s world protocol may
not be as ridged as in the late 1930s. In
this day and age how should one address a member of the royal family?
We all know that it is a curtsey for women
and a neck bow for men. The official website of the British
Monarchy says that it truly is just a curtesy. The official
website of the British Monarchy says that it truly is curtesy. As the
blogger, Martin, for Royal Central points out that there are certain things that the Queen
of England herself has said needs to happen at all time. What is the protocol that is used needs to
happen at all time? What do you do in
the presence of the Queen of England?
The protocol that is used for just being in
the presence of the royal family is part of the appeal. The history starts from
the belief that God is responsible for the Monarch’s station in life. This is a status that deserves
reverence. As blogger, Martin, for Royal Central points
out that there are certain things that the Queen of England herself has done
away with, but also has kept. For instance, the Queen has asked that the
tradition of walking backward when one is leaving audience with Her Majesty is
not observed. Martin from Royal Central
does point out that there is still some protocol that exists. For example, one is to address the monarch as
Your Majesty then later as sir or ma’am.
Another example is at a state dinner that if the Queen is finished then
all plates including dinner guest are cleared.
It is known that she is a quick eater, so there is a side salad in order
to give guest time to finish their meal.
Of course, if the Queen is your monarch you must curtsey or bow. The Australian Prime Minister is said not to
curtsey, even though the Queen is her head of state. Then there is the controversy that Michelle
Obama took some liberties and put her arm around the Queen during a photo
op. The younger royals observe less
royal protocol than their elders. The
Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, it has been told that he prefers to be
called William. This may change when it
is his turn to be King of England.
In conclusion, the British Royal Family
does live a life of privilege, but hopefully I have shown that it’s a life that
is much more. The Queen and her family
are much more than just a select few that have the opportunity to a life of
wealth. They are servants. “The Firm” as their former King George VI
affectionately or not called the family serves the British people. The Queen serves her government and
volunteers her service to charities that are of importance. She has also served in the military as well
as Princes Charles, William and Harry.
My favorite royal is Princess Diana because of her charity work and it
is her son Harry that has carried the torch.
It is especially true with his service in Afghanistan and to other
service men and women. This family is
much more than royalty. They are a
service God and their fellow man.
References
Martin
(2013, January 1) “Is Royal Protocol Relevant” Royal Central.co.uk Morgan,
Peter (Writers) Frears, Stephan (Director) Harris, Andy (Producer). (2006)
The Queen (USA)
Seilder,
David (Writer) Hooper, Tom (Director) Weinstein (Producer) (2010)
The King’s Speech (USA)
www.royal.gov.uk
“The British Monarchy” “The Queen and Her Government” “The Queen and the
Church” “The Queen and Royal Armed Forces” “Greeting the Queen”
