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Opinion | Queen Elizabeth II: Monarch who's remembered for keeping her promise

By Augustus K. Yeung

INTRODUCTION

Few lives are as well chronicled as the Queen's. She's been unfairly criticized as head of a dysfunctional family and praised as the epitome of everything great about Britain. But what was she really like?

All serious critics converged on one point: few monarchs were as highly respected worldwide as Queen Elizabeth II (1926-2022). When she was 21, almost five years before she became queen of Britain and Commonwealth, she pledged publicly that "my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service."

It was a promise, one that she remarkably kept across more than seven decades.

Queen Elizabeth II left a legacy of virtues, strengths and nobility of character that set her standards for the Western world, especially for her contemporary American leaders, who have pledged that they would abide by the "one China principle", but all turned out to be mass-produced politicians rather than presidents that are classic in style; they often veered off the tangent, Taiwan is an example.

In contrast, given her nobility for three-quarters of a century, "Her Majesty" was worthy of being a role model for Western leaders. A short but memorable story is the least homage Chinese people can pay her, who had both visited China and invited President Xi Jinping and the First Lady for a state visit to Britain, where she played royal hostess at Buckingham Palace. What a moment to be cherished!

Queen Elizabeth, Britain's Longest-Reigning Monarch…

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability across much of the turbulent century, died on September 8 after 70 years on the throne. She was 96.

She died at Balmoral Castle, her summer residence in Scotland, where members of the royal family had rushed to her side after her health took a turn for the worse.

A link to the almost-vanished generation that fought World War II, she was the only monarch most Britons have ever known, and her name defines an age: the modern Elizabeth Era.

The impact of her loss will be huge and unpredictable, both for the nation and for the monarchy, an institution she helped stabilize and modernize across decades of huge social change and family scandals.

With the passing of the queen, her 73-year-old son Charles automatically becomes monarch.

While Queen's Life was Marked by War, Her Nobility of Character was Inspiring to All

The queen's life was indelibly marked by the war. As Princess Elizabeth, she made her first public broadcast in 1940 when she was 14, sending a wartime message to children evacuated to the countryside or overseas.

"We children at home are full of cheerfulness and courage," she said with a blend of stoicism and hope that would echo throughout her reign. "We are trying to do all we can to help out gallant soldiers, sailors and airmen. And we are trying, too, to bear our own share of the danger and sadness of war. We know, every one of us, that in the end all will be well."

Since Feb. 6, 1952, Elizabeth reigned over a Britain that rebuilt from war and lost its empire; joined the European Union and then left it; and transformed from an industrial powerhouse to uncertain 21st-century society. She endured through 15 prime ministers, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, becoming an institution and an icon.

She became less visible in her final years as age and frailty curtailed a few public appearances. But she remained firmly in control of the monarchy and at the center of national life as Britain celebrate her Platinum Jubilee with days of parties and pageants in June 2022.

For the last time, on Sept. 6, 2022, she dutifully presided at a ceremony at Balmoral Castle to accept the resignation of Boris Johnson as prime minister and appoint Truss as his successor.

Young Elizabeth Had Made a Promise Which She Kept All Her Life

When Elizabeth was 21, almost five years before she became queen, she promised the people of Britain and the Commonwealth that "my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service."

It was a promise she kept for more than seven decades.

Despite Britain's complex and often fraught ties with its former colonies, Elizabeth was widely respected and remained head of state of more than a dozen countries. She headed the 54-nation Commonwealth, built around Britain and its former colonies.

Married for more than 73 years to Prince Philip, who died in 2021 at age 99, Elizabeth was matriarch to a royal family whose troubles were a subject of global fascination – amplified by fictionalized accounts such as the TV series "The Crown." She is survived by four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Through countless public events, she probably met more people than anyone in history. Her image, which adorned stamps, coins and banknotes, was among the most reproduced in the world. MDT/AP

CONCLUSION

Uniquely privileged and uniquely restricted, Queen Elizabeth II had hardly put a foot wrong. Her dutiful and cautious character had made her ideally suited for a role where sacrifice and emotional reserve were vital qualities.

Will future monarchs, her son, Charles the royal successor and her grandson, be able to attain that high standard?

Prince Charles, now King Charles, made a passionate speech that touches the world: He paraphrased Queen Elizabeth II's famous speech that he, too, promises the people of Britain and the Commonwealth that "my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service."

Prince Charles, whose precious childhood was pitifully curtailed and compromised by his dutiful mother, has mellowed over the years to become King of Britain.

In an uncertain world, where American leaders have often failed to keep their "promises", China does not ask for more, only that they keep the "one China principle" as the queen had selflessly honored her promise; there'll be world peace.

 

The author is a freelance writer; formerly Adjunct Lecturer, taught MBA Philosophy of Management, and International Strategy, and online columnist of 3-D Corner (HKU SPACE), University of Hong Kong.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of DotDotNews.

Read more articles by Augustus K. Yeung:

Opinion | Ugly Russia-Ukraine conflict took a tiny turn showing human-heartedness

Opinion | Gorbachev respectfully buried in Moscow mourned by peace-lovers but fell short of a full state funeral

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