Continuity or Change...?

I was watching a show on t.v. the other day. It was titled: "10 days the Queen will remember". The show documented the Birth, rise to Ascension, Coronation and the Reign of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The show looked at the trials and the tribulations the Queen passed, through child- hood, through to adult- hood, and on to "Queen- hood". It also looked at the scandals that surrounded the British Royal Family at these times, and how they impacted on the young Elizabeth.

To date, this is not the first show i have seen on the British Royals, both past and present. One thing i have constantly observed is that it is difficult to document the geneaology of any Royal Family, without delving into the "juicy bits". The scandals, the mistresses, the divorces; However, i can only sit back and wonder why?
What is it about these negative aspects of "Royal life" which make them all the more appealing to the more "common masses". One could argue that such aspects appeal to the common masses becuase Royal life- style has, through- out history, proven to be "above" that of the "common life- style". The behaviour, the culture, the language, the life- style of Royalty is a paragon to which the "common masses" should look up to, as an example of highest living style/s. Alternatively, and more to do with Political Agenda, one could use such "failures" of Royal society, to argue for the abolishment of such an ancient and highly respected "institution". One could argue that the result of such "high" behaviour, such well- knowledged culture, and the language of Royal society is over- indulgence and extravagent spending.

Some of these issues were mentioned in the show. Alas, it has become a "frequently asked question", in the Parliaments of the Imperial Realm, whether the actions of the Monarchy constitute the "breaking away" of Nations, in favour of a "Republic". One of the biggest focuses of the show, however, had nothing to do with scandal, or the behaviour of the Royal Family, or its members. The biggest focus of the show was Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, and the effort she was putting into a battle. This battle, however, is like no other. This battle has been over the question of: "Continuity, or Change?". Should the Monarchy "move" with society? Thus, changing its own morals, values and "Standards of Practice"? Or, should the Monarchy attempt to retain the nostalgia it has thus far? Should the Monarchy attempt to retain the honour and dignity that it once held, and was held in such high esteem by? Or, should the Monarchy "move with the times", and risk loosing the "Majesty", that Queen Elizabeth has fought so hard to retain, in an ever- so- quickly changing society?

It was concluded by some Royal reporters, and authors of books on the Windsor Royal Family, that Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, has done well to retain the honour, decorum, and dignity, that the "institution" of which she is the head, thus far. To this i must agree. Queen Elizabeth II has done much for the Royal House of Windsor, and certainly been through tough times, to retain the honour, and dignity, and respect, which, i feel, her mere presence now demands of all. Although, it was also stated by many that this venture of Her Majesty's, how- ever well it has done up till now, will not, indeed, can not go on for much longer. It saddens me to admit it, however, once again, i feel i must agree. The morals and the values and the traditions of the British Monarchy, which never cease to set the standard of Royal Practice for other Royal Families still in power, and capture the attention of billions around the world, which Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has battled hard to up hold, will, if they haven't already, come to be seen as "out- of- touch", and "out- of- date".

Whilst all of this is frightful enough, for someone who is an Imperialist, and strong supporter of the Monarchy, there was still one comment to be made, close to the conclusion of the show, which not only piqued my interest, but which "hit home" one point, in particular. One reporter was further commenting on Her Majesty's actions to "keep up" old practices, whilst attempting to move the Monarchy foward with society. The main point of his responce was his belief, and strong belief at that, that Queen Elizabeth II, in fact, was not keen on abdicating, or stepping down, from the Throne, because of an instinct he felt, she was feeling too.
"Queen Elizabeth will not abdicate, or step aside, till she dies, because, i feel, she knows very well, that she is, in fact, the last proper Monarch of the British Monarchy. And that, the British Monarchy, is something she wants remembered the way it was, or close to the way it was, when she ascended to the Throne and was Coronated as the head of this fine institution".

No words were able to describe the strong sense of despair and disbelief i felt upon hearing these words. However, as much as it pained me then, and as much as it pains me now; there is no denying the truth behind the sad and harsh words. Without a doubt, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II has done much to be proud of, and has done much to be comended for. No journey, however, is complete without the trials and tribulations which exist only to test us. Her Majesty proved, not only to herself, and to her family, but to her subjects and to the rest of the world, that she was more than capable of heading this "institution". Having said that, though, it is not hard to see the nostalgia, for honour and decorum and dignity, beginning to "stretch", for want of a better word. Unfortunately, i must admit, that i, also, believe that the British Monarchy is reaching its end. With whom it shall end, i can not say. I do, however, hope that i get to see Prince William coronated. In him i believe lies a man fit to be King. In itself, however, that statement does not go unaccompanied. William, himself will make changes to the Monarchy, as he will be his own King, and amend the practices of the Monarchy he feels will ensure its continuity. Thus, we return, full circle to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, of the Royal House of Windsor. Who, in this Imperialists mind, will be the last, competant, and proper, Monarch of the British Monarchy.

With that sad thought in mind, however, it should be noted that: Until Her Majesty is forced to abdicate the Throne, or decides to abdicate the Throne, or passes on, Her Majesty remains the symbolic, and Constitutional head of the United Kingdom and all the Commonwealth Nations and her dependancies. Long Live Queen Elizabeth! God Bless Queen Elizabeth! Long Live The Queen!