A monarch of seven decades, a woman the world declared, was the longest on a throne. Born in one world, transitioning to the next, she remained the most powerful woman, until the day she died. Her crown she wore with dignity, never stumbling under the weight, laying her hand gently, on all she ruled. It was no fairy tale, no bed of roses but filled with sacrifices and a strenuous round of duties, for seventy long years .
When still a young , only twenty five, her first child barely four, the king her father died, and to the throne she ascended, setting aside her dreams and desires, to fulfil her royal duty. Her prayer, on the day of coronation, was that God grant her wisdom and strength, to serve Him, and her people, according to the promises she made and it can be said, so it was, until the very end .
In the public eye she lived, with grace and poise, from the very first day, carrying out her responsibilities, with diligence. Never one to exhibit emotions, she was always calm and even tempered, some would even say dour and dull, compared to her beautiful and vivacious sister. Friends she had not many, and humour come not easily, to the one who bore on her shoulders, the weight of an empire.
Through world wars , through new governments and prime ministers, through revolutions and industrial developments, through economic prosperity and recession she was the one unchanging figurehead, bringing stability. Family crisis she dealt with, firmly, never allowing any member, though privileged, to flout, the draconian rules of royalty. The scandals she faced, with equanimity, never letting it taint, the heritage of the British monarchy .
World leaders, great and small, statesman and moguls, who made history, bent their knee to the Queen. With respect and grace, she greeted, all visiting dignitaries. Never hasty, always circumspect, without giving in to sentiments, her decisions were objective, for the welfare of her people. On the throne the longest, despite all adversities, she dispelled the doubts of skeptics and those who predicted the downfall of the monarchy, during her reign.
Seventy long years, Elizabeth the II nd wore the crown. Could it be known as the the golden age, as it was with the rule of her namesake, her predecessor ? Though hard to say, but indisputably it can be said ,she prodigiously dispensed her duties as a monarch. Her passing, brings the end of an era, but timeless she will remain, always the queen of hearts, amongst her people.
Mary Jacob 