Like most other Brits (originally, at least). and much of the rest of the world, we are full of admiration for Queen Elizabeth II as she approaches her 90th birthday, having recently become the longest-serving monarch in the country’s history.
We are not, in truth, overly in favour of the monarchy, as we are highly sceptical as to whether it really offers the economic boon that is always quoted whenever anyone questions its existence.
And though it is supposed to be non-political, it undoubtedly wields behind the scenes influence, and whether that influence is for good or ill it really should play no role in a truly democratic society.
One cannot help, by way of example, to wonder what might have occurred had avowed Nazi sympathiser Edward VIII remained on the throne to apply his influence in support of Halifax and the appeaser faction in the Conservative Party in 1939. No ascent of Churchill and an ignominious accommodation with the Nazis would have been much more likely than the stout defence of country and Empire – and subsequent defeat of fascism – that actually occurred. For a fuller discussion of the fight between Halifax and Churchill on the conduct of the war, one of the most seminal events in the whole of human history as it turned out, we recommend this Wikipedia article, which is fascinating.
And non-Brits sometimes forget we have chopped the head off a king on our way to a participatory democracy. We are by no means mindlessly adulatory to our monarchs. The approbrium heaped on future King Charles III’s head over the breakdown of his marriage with the adored Princess Diana shows how shallow the British public’s acquiescence really can be. Our monarchs really do rule at the public’s favour.
Nevertheless, one would be hard pushed to find anyone with a word of criticism of the Queen. Despite her advanced years, she maintains a punishing schedule of public engagements, (the equivalent of almost one a day), and despite having, by all accounts, something of a temper (an attribute she shares with most of her ancestors), she manages to seem to deal with almost everyone with impeccable courtesy and good humour.
She has never had a whiff of scandal anywhere in her personal life, and unquestionably is held in great affection by the vast majority of her own people, by people throughout the British Commonwealth (a push for a Republic in Australia, for example, is widely believed to be on hold while she still lives, out of respect for her personally), and ordinary folk in the world in general. He continued occupation of her throne (well, a total of eight thrones, actually) is undoubtedly the democratic will of her subjects, and that should be respected.
Which leaves us with one burning question.
If she is still on the throne ten years from now, as might well be the case, who will send her the official telegram that always goes from her to a centenarian subject on their birthday? After all, such an outcome is by no means unlikely. Her mother, it should be remembered, was mostly hale and hearty until her 102nd year.
She can hardly send one to herself, now can she?
We think the people should be told.
Well, This Is What I Think 
OK, I officially love it. Yes, the nation should be informed. Of course, we Yanks might offer a suggestion. We put together modest committees to set up on-line wishes and send out multiple emails to invite everyone we can think of to sign them and put in their 2¢ worth (and to invite everyone they know to do the same). Britain may have to condescend to something like that.
Incidentally, I too have often wondered what might have happened to England, Europe, and the world had Mrs. Simpson not existed. I don’t mind admitting the speculation gives me chills. Part of me quite likes the monarchy, but I think an even bigger part of knows that that liking is pretty well personal to Elizabeth R. Not that I have any right to put an oar in.
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Your oar is always welcome here!
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Underwriter has a very good point – my grandmother (born a Victorian) always hated even the mention of Mrs Simpson – but as I grew out of childhood and into adulthood I thought what a GOOD thing she was, as otherwise who knows what would have happened. Each nation seems to have around 49% leftish voters, and 49% rightish voters – it could (shudder!) have gone the other way in which case there is a high probability that we would be celebrating the fuhrers birthday now and speaking German – as would America, as after the Nazis had overcome Britain – they’d have got her (then) empire and with all of Europe, the previously British empire and the assets of the AXIS powers under their belts, America wouldn’t have stood a chance.
Good grief it makes me feel really ill and cold – time for another cup of tea! Thank God for Winnie – my eyes nearly started from my head when watching a documentary about him when he said in public (on several occasions) “Keep buggering on!” – presumably a slightly different meaning from today?!
On the subject of Queen Elizabeth – even people who don’t like the monarchy, unless fanatics, do seem to like her. I am ambivalent – I wouldn’t want any harm to come to any of them (Heaven forbid) – but it does depend on their personal character what they make of the job, doesn’t it? What do we really know about the Queen? Not a lot, apart from the fact that she has defined her duty in a certain way and does it determinedly (and admirably) – and the fact that she trained as a motor mechanic in WWII (good for her), and that she does have a sense of humour – we know nothing of the rest.
As the comedian Mark Steel said on Radio Four – people say the Royal Family are good for tourism, but have you ever heard of anyone going to the top of the Eiffel tower in Paris and saying something like ‘The view’s really lovely, but the lack of a Royal Family spoils it for me.’!
I do like your idea of the Queen sending a ‘telemessage’ or whatever the equivalent is to herself – but she does have a sense of humour, maybe she might!
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I also think most of the pageantry etc would continue without the Royals but I honestly don’t see anything changing soon. There is no appetite for change.
Churchill is actually one of my heroes – strange thing for a Liberal to say – although he was one, once – I dread to think what the world would be like today if it were not for his unique character.
Incidentally if you get a chance to see “Churchill’s Secret” which is about him having a stroke after the Second World War do watch it, it’s fascinating.
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