Monarch’s milestone this week cements admirable legacy

Opinion

THE achievement of Queen Elizabeth in becoming the longest serving British monarch in history this week is an almost unbelievable one. That she has done so through decades of profound change in both her home country and the rest of the world makes it even more remarkable.

Since ascending to the throne in 1952, Queen Elizabeth has reigned for 63 years and 214 days. She passes her redoubtable ancestor Queen Victoria’s record on Thursday morning (NZ time).

One of the most amazing things is that she remains as popular now as she was six decades ago.

Probably the only slip in her record came in 1997 when she initially appeared to have been cool and unfeeling at the death of Princess Diana. She quickly rectified that and has not put a foot wrong since.

Nobody could have imagined the world turmoil that would follow when she became Queen just after the end of a long and debilitating war, as Britain’s empire continued its decline into the history books.

Throughout that time the Queen has been an icon of stability, something her subjects and many others throughout the world admire. In fact, the Queen could be described as the curse of republicans as her popularity makes their cause more difficult.

Spare a thought for Prince Charles, who has been the heir to the throne since the age of three — exceeding the previous record of 59 years held by Victoria’s son King Edward VII. Although she will be 90 next April, the Queen resolutely refuses to abdicate.

How will Queen Elizabeth be remembered? Leading British historian Dr David Starkey says she has acted as a pragmatist throughout whose sole purpose has been to “keep the royal show on the road”, adding that she is unlikely to have an age named after her as Victoria did.

Societal changes mean the monarch is no longer the central figure in her realm but what Elizabeth has shown is great stamina and a total devotion to duty. Her record reign is unlikely to ever be eclipsed and her place in the long history of the British monarchy is assured.