Throughout the month of June, across the world, people will be celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Already the longest reigning British monarch and longest reigning current monarch, Her Majesty will have to reign for another 12 years to catch up to Sobhuza II of Swaziland, who reigned for more than 82 years.
One of the more fascinating aspects of a monarchy is that both their own country and other countries bestow honours and titles upon them both before and during their reign. Her Majesty the Queen has very long list of honours and titles of which she has been the recipient. In Australia, the Queen’s full title is “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God Queen of Australia and Her other Realms and Territories, Head of the Commonwealth”. Her title in other commonwealth countries often follows a similar format.
There are other titles which the Queen has inherited or had bestowed upon her which are more unusual. As the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, the Queen is the Duke of Lancaster (not the Duchess as one may expect). In the Channel Islands she holds the title, Duke of Normandy and throughout England she is the Seigneur of the Swans (although it is a popular misconception that the Queen owns all the mute swans in England).
Surprisingly, given that Nebraska is a landlocked state in the USA, the Queen has been awarded the title Admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska. This title has been held by many others including Bill Gates and Bing Crosby. Although not strictly speaking a title, Her Majesty is known as “Mama Queen II” in Sierra Leone and “Missis Queen” in Jamaica.
One of the Queen’s most notable titles is that of “Defender of the Faith.” The hereditary title of the British Monarch was first granted to Henry VIII by Pope Leo X. It was awarded for Henry’s contribution in opposing the teaching of the growing protestant reformation in Europe and in particular for Henry’s book, Défense of the Seven Sacraments. Ironically, Henry broke with Rome less than 10 years later and the title was conferred again on Henry by the English Parliament. It has been part of style of the British sovereign ever since Henry’s reign.
Much has been written about the Christian faith of the Queen over the course of her lifetime. The Queen has also spoken of her personal faith many times, most often in her Christmas broadcast. These speeches are one of the few speeches that the Queen writes entirely on her own without the guidance of the government of the day. As such they often give a uniquely personal insight into the life, thoughts and faith of the Queen. The Queen has often spoken, especially in more recent Christmas messages, about how Jesus Christ’s life and teaching provide a framework for her life.
The Queen’s faith and her understanding of its impact on our lives is eloquently summed up in her 2016 Christmas message, which concludes: “Jesus Christ lived obscurely for most of his life, and never travelled far. He was maligned and rejected by many, though he had done no wrong. And yet, billions of people now follow his teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.”
As we prepare to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizbeth II’s ascension to the throne, her Platinum jubilee, let us remember that the Queen follows one who has been given the title King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
Andrew Heron
