Inspired by the Queen
I AM an avid fan of the British monarchy.
During pre-covid days, I spent many hours in the state library, reading novels by the historical novelist Philippa Gregory, about King Henry VIII and his six wives. I enjoyed the stories.
King Henry VIII lived in the Tudor period, while the current British Royal Family is from the House of Windsor.
Until her death, Queen Elizabeth II had been the only living British monarch whom I knew.
Her passing prompted me to google about her and, to my delight, I discovered her Christmas broadcast in 1957, her first televised broadcast in the year Malaya gained independence.
In that broadcast, she welcomed Ghana and Malaya to join the Commonwealth. She declared that both countries were entirely self-governing, having achieved their new status amicably and peacefully.
“This advance is a wonderful tribute to the efforts of men of goodwill who have worked together as friends and I welcome these countries with all my heart,” she said in the broadcast.
Boy, was I proud!
I remember seeing the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London during my visit there, and was left totally awe-struck. The crowns were displayed in glass cabinets. Security was tight; visitors had to stay within the barricaded lanes at a safe distance from the crowns.
There were guards who ushered visitors to move along continuously, preventing anyone from admiring the valued possessions for too long. As photography and videography were strictly prohibited, I could only capture the sight of the glistening crowns with my eyes.
It was also fascinating to learn that the Queen and her late husband were distant cousins who had the same great-great grandmother, Queen Victoria.
Always in the limelight, the Queen had portrayed herself as a jovial monarch despite shouldering the heavy responsibilities as the head of state and the matriarch of the growing imperial family.
She seemed to enjoy her role as a Queen, and was humorous and cheerful.
Despite her fair share of family scandals and rifts, the Queen had wisely navigated through public scrutiny and emerged remarkably unscathed.
The Queen was comfortable in her own skin, forsaking any form of cosmetic surgery. She reportedly wasn’t keen on Botox and fillers. She was happy to be her unique self, the way God had made her, and she stood out beautifully.
It dawned on me that it is perfectly all right to have age spots, deep wrinkles and sagging jawlines, and not fit into the beauty stereotype. Just like the Queen, everyone of us is beautiful in our own way.
Her beauty shone through her charismatic personality and confident smile. Indeed, she had lived gracefully, aged gracefully, and died gracefully. I am inspired!