Beware religious differences, warns Queen
The Queen used her Christmas message yesterday to warn against the dangers of tribalism and emphasised the risk of religious divisions.
Although she made no specific references, her remarks came as the Commonwealth nation of Bangladesh struggles to look after 700,000 Rohingya Muslim refugees driven out of neighbouring Myanmar.
The Queen, 92, said: ‘‘Some cultures believe a long life brings wisdom. I’d like to think so. Perhaps part of that wisdom is to recognise some of life’s baffling paradoxes, such as the way human beings have a huge propensity for good, and yet a capacity for evil. Even the power of faith, which frequently inspires great generosity and self-sacrifice, can fall victim to tribalism.’’
The Queen’s message was recorded in the white drawing room of Buckingham Palace on December 12. She recalled hosting the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in London in April, and said that only eight states had attended the first such gathering, hosted by her father, George VI, in 1948.
Today the Commonwealth has 53 member countries with a combined population of 2.4 billion. ‘‘Its strength lies in the bonds of affection it promotes, and a common desire to live in a better, more peaceful world,’’ she said. ‘‘Even with the most deeply held differences, treating the other person with respect and as a fellow human being is always a good first step towards greater understanding.’’
The Queen celebrated this year’s marriages of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle and Princess Eugenie to Jack Brooksbank, and her new great-grandchildren Prince Louis, born to the Duchess of Cambridge, and Lena, daughter of Zara Tindall.
‘‘Closer to home it’s been a busy year for my family, with two weddings and two babies, and another child expected soon. It helps to keep a grandmother well occupied. We have had other celebrations too, including the 70th birthday of the Prince of Wales.’’
She added: ‘‘At Christmas, we become keenly aware of loved ones who have died, whatever the circumstances. But, of course, we would not grieve if we did not love.’’
She spoke of 2018 being a year of centenaries, including the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force. She recalled her father’s Royal Navy service in the First World War on board HMS Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. ‘‘The British fleet lost 14 ships and 6000 men in that engagement. My father wrote in a letter: ‘How and why we were not hit beats me’. Like others, he lost friends in the war.’’