OPINION:
She may be the one world leader who humbles President Trump, and with good reason. She turns 94 Tuesday and is perhaps the world’s most admirable public figure. It is ironic that while most of us become less relevant and less appreciated over time, the opposite is true of Queen Elizabeth II. “God save the Queen.”
Her virtues are emblazoned on the world’s collective imagination while politicians, celebrities and even popes come and go. In part, this is owing to her impressive longevity — but only in part. The queen is unique. Her personal qualities, judgment and commitment to her role make her one of the world’s most-admired people. We need her now more than ever.
Queen Elizabeth’s distinctiveness was very much on display this month when she delivered two inspiring addresses during a low point in morale for a world plagued by coronavirus. She delivered words of hope that no other living person could, pledging with the knowledge of someone who lived through World War II, that life will go on and “We will meet again.” As a monarch, a mother and a highly experienced, long-standing world leader, her words carried unique weight and sincerity.
I had the august honor to meet Queen Elizabeth on her state visit to America in Washington, D.C., when I worked on Anglo-American affairs for Congress. It was the single most memorable meeting of a career that included meeting heads of state and government of many nations.
There is no denying Elizabeth II has had longevity on her side. She was born at 2:40 a.m. on April 21, 1926, and would never have come to the throne but for the abdication of her uncle Edward VIII to marry American Wallis Simpson. She is the 40th British monarch since William the Conquerer, and the longest-serving ever (68 years, so far).
The queen acceded to the throne upon the death of father, King George VI, on Feb. 6, 1952, and was crowned on June 2, 1953. Her reign has coincided with 13 presidents and has been served by 14 prime ministers. There are few global leaders that the queen has not met. She has accumulated more on-the-job knowledge and experience than any CEO, military commander or religious leader.
Queen Elizabeth’s lifetime of knowledge and service completely dwarfs the notoriety and achievements of sports figures, celebrities and politicians, as demonstrated by her current 73 percent popularity rating as reported by YouGov.
What is the secret to this popularity? The queen quite literally lives her work. She works constantly and visibly but is never seen to begrudge her lack of downtime. Indeed, she gives the impression that, for her, duty and service is a privilege. Elizabeth clearly internalized these qualities from her parents, who were beloved and inspiring royals, and has passed them on to her successor. But not everyone is able to assimilate these qualities, even if they are taught by the best, as the regrettable recent saga of Meghan Markle proves.
There can be trials and periods of turmoil, however, even in the life of the exemplary queen, as this year has shown. The misadventures of Prince Harry and his wife and Prince Andrew could not have been relished by Her Majesty, but she weathered them, like everything else she does, with dignity. Also, while the queen and Prince Phillip have enjoyed longevity in their own marriage, they have witnessed the divorces of three of four children, and the queen’s sister, Princess Margaret. But once again, owing to her innate steadiness and stability, Elizabeth, and by extension, the monarchy, itself have survived and evolved.
Respect is something that must be earned, and in the queen’s case, she outshines even the highest performing professionals of any field who retired long before reaching 94. Fellow monarch, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, abdicated at 75 in 2013 and Spain’s Juan Carlos at 77 in 2014. No politicians continue into their 90s, (Ronald Reagan, the oldest U.S. president, retired at 77 and Gladstone, the oldest PM at 84).
Magnificently, Elizabeth plows on. In fact, not one to put her feet up, even at 93, she recorded over 200 engagements in 2019 including meetings, audiences and investitures, including a few with the Trumps on state visit.
Sadly, this is the first year ever that her majesty’s birthday will not be celebrated with fanfare and public celebration. Admirable even in this, the queen, out of concern and service to her nation, did not feel that public celebration was appropriate while the world is in lockdown. In the absence of public celebration for this very good reason, let’s all raise a glass and toast Her Britannic Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
• Lee Cohen, a commentator on British-American affairs and fellow of the Danube Institute, advised the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee and founded the Congressional United Kingdom Caucus.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.