A majestic example for all of us
Reg Watson reminds us that today is the 70th anniversary of the royal wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip
HER Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were married on November 20, 1947, at London’s Westminster Abbey.
It is a great achievement in anyone’s estimation — not only has the monarch provided political stability but also set an example for marital stability in testing times of tribulation and incredible changes of social attitudes.
On the occasion of their 50th anniversary in 1997, the Prince said the secret to their marriage was “tolerance”.
He also named “different interests”. The formula has obviously been successful.
The Palace has announced that there will be no public events to mark the occasion, but there is no doubt there will be many private functions to recognise the anniversary.
The Queen has served her people well, even republicans admit to this.
On September 9, 2015, she became the longest serving monarch in British history, breaking Queen Victoria’s 63 year reign.
It was unlikely she would become Queen at all.
In 1936, the abdication of her uncle King Edward VIII meant the crown passed to her father, George VI, thus paving the way for Elizabeth to ascend to the throne.
On February 6, 1952, she and Philip were in a remote part of Kenya when news came through of the death of her father, who had been ill.
Queen Elizabeth II (technically speaking Queen Elizabeth I for Scotland) was crowned Queen on June 2, 1953. A young lady had inherited enormous responsibility, yet she did not shun the prospect.
On taking her oath at the coronation she promised to “govern the people” of her various realms, not the government of the day, nor to serve the government, but the “people”. Her role is an independent identity. She finished by publicly stating, “The things which I have before promised, I will perform and keep, so help me God.” She certainly has fulfilled her oath. How many governments, politicians and public officials have done likewise? She serves her people.
Her and the Prince’s relationship with Tasmania came very early in 1954. Indeed, she was the first reigning monarch to embark on a tour of the crown’s expansive dominions. First it was to Fiji in the Pacific and other British possessions, then an extensive tour of New Zealand. Aboard the royal yacht Gothic they sailed into the Tasman Sea where the Royal Australian Navy vessel, HMAS Australia took over escort duties sailing first into Sydney Harbour and elsewhere on the mainland.
Then it was Tasmania’s turn, when on February 20 the Gothic glided into Hobart. After the vessel’s berthing, the royal couple were taken to the Town Hall to be met by the Lord Mayor of Hobart, Sir Richard Harris, the Governor of Tasmania, Sir Ronald Cross, and Premier Robert Cosgrove. It was notable that the first official gathering in their Australian tour was in Hobart when 22,000 schoolchildren gave a display at North Hobart Oval.
I have a beautiful glossy red-covered souvenir of the “Opening of Parliament by The Queen 1954.” It was presented to me by the late Dr George Howatt, an American political scientist who was a great admirer of constitutional monarchy. It is an attractive presentation in A4 size which gives a detailed account of the historical occasion. The royal couple then toured Tasmania.
Since then of course there have been substantial changes throughout the world. Worst of all was the “dark decade” in which Charles and Diana divorced (1996) followed by Diana’s death (1997) and before that the burning of Windsor Castle (1992), the year described by the Queen as her “annus horribilis”.
Yet come 2017 the Queen is greatly revered worldwide, a lady who has fulfilled her Coronation Day promise to “sincerely pledge myself to your service … throughout all my life and with all my heart I shall strive to be worthy of your trust”. How many politicians have said that and if they have, fulfilled their pledge?
Over the decades since 1954 there have been a number of visits by the royal couple to Tasmania, in 1963, 1970, 1977, 1981 and 1988. The last was the year 2000.
That visit, one of Prince Philip’s functions was to unveil a plague to our naval history at Anzac Park, Lindisfarne, which I attended. I noted however that those loyal subjects such as I, together with my friend, the late Michael Hodgman were held
back by barriers. The Prince then arrived to do the honours, accompanied by officialdom who were by reputation republicans. I mused about the comical situation of it all ... loyalists held back, while republicans were in the official party. There is no doubt in my mind the Prince was very aware of this. The first thing he did when alighting from the car was to turn and wave to us.
I still l have the photograph.