God Saved the Queen
In the morning after we received news of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth's passing, it was as if a blanket of bewilderment and sorrow had been thrown over the little Berkshire town in which she spent her latter years in residence. There was a sense that the ambience was befitting of the circumstances. Through the gray, muted, mizzled streets, still festooned with fading Union Flag bunting from the Platinum Jubilee in June, the melancholic multitudes, young and old, trod with heavy steps. Barely noticing the cameras and reporters, they came to the places around Windsor Castle at which they could stand in prayer and contemplation, lay floral tributes, or just be present at a historic moment. Royal staff, with uniforms still emblazoned with the gilt "E.R." of Elizabeth Regina, quietly guided and informed the public. I laid flowers at the gates of the castle, surrounded by those who cannot remember a time before Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by my little boy who will grow up with no memory of his brief spell as a subject of Her Late Majesty.
In this time of national mourning, so much of the conversation amongst commentators continues to revolve around the overwhelming respect and affection that so many had for the Queen. She was admired and adored by people from all walks of life. She was cherished both at home by her own citizens and around the world. She was the mother of a nation, a constant and consistent source of reassurance. Her absence this week is heartbreaking and, in some ways, unimaginable. Such words have been so oft repeated during the past week they are becoming clichéd.
If we are to apply the logic of the zeitgeist of our age, Queen Elizabeth II was the worst and most contemptable remnant of a historic system of privilege. In her unelected hands sat immense power and wealth. Deference, obedience, and reverence on the part of her subjects were mandated by custom. Birth rights, unearned. During her long reign, innumerable dynastic, political, military, and corporate leaders have risen around the world, only to be quickly despised and deposed. But not her.
It is so unlikely, so extraordinary, for a person of such high station who lived in the public glare for such a length of years to be held in such remarkably high esteem. Even those ideologically opposed to the monarchy respected her, if begrudgingly. So, what is it about Her Majesty that was different? What is it that she had that even the most earnest posturing, prostrating populist politicians of our time lack? It is simply this: that she lived in accordance with her faith.
Her Majesty was a Christ-follower, which meant she recognized an authority greater than her own, to whom she was accountable and before whom she bowed her knee. A secular beatification has already begun with the press posthumously styling her "Elizabeth the Great." But she was great because she lived in accordance with the words of her High King, Jesus Christ, "The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Matthew 3: 11).
She was the Queen, but she served tirelessly and gave of herself sacrificially without complaint. She loved her people, not as a distant overlord but as one who came close, all the while maintaining her dignity and honour. She imitated her Saviour in the way she lived and the way she ruled, and she was loved in return. Her faith was a public faith.
Her Majesty held to the truth of her own Christian beliefs, but she understood the value of respecting the many religions in her dominions. In 2012, she gave a speech at Lambeth Palace, the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, in which she stated, "Our religions provide critical guidance for the way we live our lives, and for the way in which we treat each other. Many of the values and ideas we take for granted in this and other countries originate in the ancient wisdom of our traditions." In her role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England and Defender of the Faith, Her Majesty knew that Christ-like leadership meant that she and her church were not to advance Christianity through the denigration or oppression of others. She said, "[The Church's] role is not to defend Anglicanism to the exclusion of other religions. Instead, the Church has a duty to protect the free practice of all faiths in this country … It certainly provides an identity and spiritual dimension for its own many adherents. But also, gently and assuredly, the Church of England has created an environment for other faith communities and indeed people of no faith to live freely." Her Majesty grasped the importance of religious freedom as one of the pillars of a flourishing, good, and just society.
His Majesty King Charles III has already, reassuringly, shown himself to be of one mind with his late mother in such matters. As Prince of Wales, he took an active concern regarding the persecution of religious communities around the world. He has already shown an astute understanding of the importance of faith and the defence of its free exercise. In a recorded address to the UK Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, His Majesty said, "The right to freedom of religion or belief is enshrined in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights. We must do everything in our collective power to ensure that this commitment is met with deeds, not just words. This essential principle must be embedded in government, education, business, the media, social media, and right across our communities."
He alluded to his commitment to such freedoms in his first address to the nation as king. He stated, "In [my Christian] faith, and the values it inspires, I have been brought up to cherish a sense of duty to others, and to hold in the greatest respect the precious traditions, freedoms and responsibilities of our unique history and our system of parliamentary government … Wherever you may live in the United Kingdom or in the realms and territories across the world and whatever may be your background and beliefs I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love, as I have throughout my life." We hope that His Majesty's Government, both ministers and civil servants, recommit themselves to defending and advancing religious freedom both at home and abroad. The egregious violation of religious freedom continues to be a colossal challenge around the world whilst pernicious efforts to erode and erase faith in public life remain a concern throughout the West.
Now is a time for grief and mourning. We also celebrate the profound impact Her Majesty, Elizabeth the Great, had on the British nation and the world. We are thankful for her life of Christ-like duty, love, and service. Christians have confidence that she is now in Glory, with her greater Lord. The reign of Queen Elizabeth II is over. God save the King.
Based in the UK, Miles P. J. Windsor serves as senior manager for strategy and campaigns at the Religious Freedom Institute. Miles has over a decade of experience in international affairs and religious freedom, during that time focusing on the Middle East and North Africa.
