The Queen's 90th birthday
Currently at the age of 90, Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning monarch of the British Kingdom. Not only is she the longest ruling Queen but also among the most powerful and most influential world leaders alive today. To her 90th birthday to date, the Queen has had major accomplishment for the British people and to the world as a whole. Some of the most important dates of the queen's reign are highlighted below, from the time she was coming to age in wartime to her current position as the Queen of England.
During World War II, Queen Elizabeth II was enlisted among women's Auxiliary territorial service. Later on at the age of 18, she was given her first major role. Her role came handy during the absence of the king, who had gone to the battlefield, Queen Elizabeth was appointed the first counselor of state ("Queen Elizabeth II: Key Moments in Her Reign - The New York Times"). This was the first time she assumed her role of carrying out some tasks of the head of state. Seven years later in 1952, she became the queen after her father had passed away. In 1982, she went ahead to affirm one of the most powerful world friendships – the U.S. - British friendship. This gained her worldwide fame. However, in 1997 a tragic incident happened. Britain went into mourning for the death of Princess Diana. This cast a spotlight to the royal family's private lives.
Queen Elizabeth II has played an important role in the British economy to get it to the level that it is today. Being the head of 15 Commonwealth countries, she has much on her plate than most leaders. One of the occasions where the queen's role was seen was when responding to terror on July 7, 2005, in London. Her majesty the queen addressed the nation on this tragic day ("Queen Elizabeth II: Key Moments in Her Reign - The New York Times"). Other than that, she has roles such as being consulted by the Prime Minister before taking action on most important matters, encouraging certain courses of action and warning against others. On the other hand, since the Queen is known to have a long-term experience on political matters, she ensures her country's political stability. She has a lifetime of conducting meetings, reading papers and holding state addresses. This, therefore, provides her with the constitutional right to be consulted by the government.
The killing of Jo Cox
The tragic death of the British Labor MP, Jo Cox, on the same day as the 90th birthday of the Queen of England, has raised so many concerns and a number of grave allegations on Britain's political future. According to Polly Toynbee, this attack happened against a backdrop of an ugly public mood, where the political class has been despised, distrusted and dehumanized. His tragic death might not only affect Britain politically but also how the EU referendum campaigning will be done ("killing of Jo Cox: What it means for politics in Britain").
Such open crimes have given way to the country to reflect and soul-search about how its politics is conducted. When a man of dignity such as Jo Cox is murdered, this only raises more questions. One of the concerns is that citizens complain that the political discourse has been a generally a collective failure and not a thing that should be pinned down to an individual or a party ("killing of Jo Cox: What it means for politics in Britain"). Hatred is also another major concern that should be addressed by the British people in general. The spread of hatred poisons the society and cause the society to divide, and it is hatred that led to the slaying of Jo Cox.
The death of this candid MP has also hurled a dark shadow over the referendum and campaigns, causing the referendum to be suspended for an unknown period. Until then politicians are urged to put an end to using divisive and provocative ways to win votes. Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor, has called for politicians to moderate how they speak of the final campaign days. This is because when politicians use hate speech the citizens become enraged and bring themselves to acting in violent and extreme ways.
The Windsor Castle Garter Ceremony.
The Garter Ceremony is one of the most anticipated ceremonies in the UK today. This event is dated back in the year 1660 where household troops or guards, in other words, served the honor of guarding the Sovereign. Founded in 1348, it is dedicated to the arms image in St. George. Since it is the third most prestigious honor that constitutes the Commonwealth realms, it is among the events attended by the Queen of England and the royal family. The main event involved in the Windsor Castle is the changing of guards, and it includes British pageantry and colorful spectacle.
The ceremony begins by the Guard from the Windsor Castle forming outside the guard room, after which a new guard arrives. In a ceremony, that takes approximately forty-five minutes the old guard hands over responsibilities which also entails changeover of sentries ("Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle"). When coming to an end, the old guard goes back to Victoria Barracks that are located in the town of Windsor. Finally, the Queen gets into her official residence after which a parade takes place on the court of the castle ("Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle")
This was a special event to my life for two main reasons. First, it coincidentally matched with the day I was born which made it more special and one of a kind. The other reason is that attending the Windsor Castle ceremony is one in a lifetime's opportunity that a lot of people would want. It was an honor to attend the same event with the queen. The queen's convoy, seeing the royal family at the event and having firsthand sight of how the ceremony is done. This was basically a life achievement that I would like to attend for a second time if the opportunity comes again.
Works Cited
"Changing the Guard at Windsor Castle." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2016. <https://www.royalcollection.org.uk/visit/windsorcastle/what-to-see-and-do/the-changing-the-guard>.
The Editors of LIfe. Life Queen Elizabeth at 90: The Story of Britain's Longest Reigning Monarch. LIFE, 2016. Print.
"The killing of Jo Cox: What it means for politics in Britain." The Week UK. N.p., 17 June 2016. Web. 20 June 2016.
"Queen Elizabeth II: Key Moments in Her Reign - The New York Times." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 June 2016.
