HM The Queen, 1926 - 2022
As Britain, The Commonwealth and most of the world mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth ll, I reflect on the fact that for most of us she is all we have ever known.
Having celebrated my own 70th at the same time as her Platinum Jubilee, she was always there; always consistent; always dependable; always on duty. Her death marks the end of an era and a remarkable one at that. “London Bridge is down” was the announcement; a link to our national identity has gone; stability has been shaken and now it means change and uncertainty; we knew her and what she stood for. We mourn not just for her and her family but for ourselves and our country.
And yet most of us have never met her, never spoken with her, never corresponded with her but somehow this didn’t matter. We saw her at key moments; celebrated with her at significant events; empathised with her in her difficult times; relied on her in dark times in our nation’s history.
Some say her greatest achievement was transforming the Empire into the Commonwealth; dominion into freedom and mutual association. Others reflect on the fact that she reigned through 15 UK Prime Ministers, numerous US Presidents and countless other heads of state and treated each one with warmth and dignity.
But as I listened to the many comments on her life, little, if anything, was said about her faith in Jesus Christ whom she followed and served. It was only by His power working in and through her life that she was able to stand and her witness for him shone brightly. Her role as head of the Church of England was not just constitutional, it was lived out in word and deed. Her Christmas messages, more recent ones in particular, celebrated the importance of Christ in her life and how he demonstrated sacrificial servanthood, something she modelled.
Mark Greene (Writer of The Servant Queen and the King She Serves) from the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC) has put it like this:
“Elizabeth was a gift from God to nation, Commonwealth, and indeed the global community, a beacon of humility, grace, astuteness, good humour, generosity, and deep faith – God’s woman, God’s follower, God’s Queen.”
We mourn her death and celebrate her life. We know, too, that her eternal home with Christ is assured. We pray for the Royal Family and in particular our new King Charles and we ask that the Father of compassion and God of all comfort will surround them at this time and lead them to a place of true hope found only in the King of kings and Lord of lords.
John Bailey is an Elder at The City Church Canterbury