Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

It was in 1957, near the beginning of her long reign that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made her first televised Christmas Day broadcast to British Commonwealth, in which she duly noted: “I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice”. Thus plainly and clearly pointing out the vast difference in the perception and the role of monarchies in modern society, compared to the medieval roots which many institutions are built upon.

Nowadays the role of monarchies, monarchs and their extended Royal Families are much harder to define. However Elizabeth II’s broadcast in 1957 which was pre-recorded and broadcast across the entire British Commonwealth highlighted what she considers her role, and the duty of monarchies, in the modern age as she offered her “heart” and her “devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.”

Having worked for the British Royal Household myself, I have often been approached by people visiting Buckingham Palace and have been asked – sometimes not so subtly – what is the role of the Queen and Royal Family in the modern age. I am instructed to say that Her Majesty’s duty it to “serve the nation and her people” although of course this is extremely vague.

It is universally agreed upon that the days of political power merely de facto of their birth are over – however this does not mean that the concept of royalty and monarchy is dead. The 20th century witnessed great social and political change – the beginning of the century was one of Imperialism and Royal Absolutism – with the likes of Russia and Germany being ruled by autocratic emperors. However it was the monarchies that were willing to adapt that were able to survive and the end of the century saw the continuation of democracy and Constitutional Monarchies in nine of Europe’s major nations.

Historians may constantly brush over the importance of the monarchy and the sovereign’s role in society and politics. Although key events in modern history have often been influenced by the each country’s respective monarch, our modern day Kings and Queens such as Beatrix of the Netherlands do after all meet with, and discuss politics with, their respective Prime Ministers nearly every week.

Although this political influence is often ignored by political commentators and historians, as in most cases the monarch’s opinion and influence is never documented; rest assured it is there! It would be ignorant to disregard the wealth of experience and knowledge that our Kings and Queens have accumulated over the years.

The British Royal Family today

In the case of Elizabeth II, with her first Prime Minister being Winston Churchill, and having been informed of every political development in the country since 1952, it is safe to assume the Queen knows what is going on, and will always have some wise words of (very discreet and off the record) advice to give to the relevant ministers of the day. Surely this is a great benefit to modern democracy and stability – monarchs are the one constant in the ever changing world of politics.

The constant presence of the monarch and royalty also has a benefit of allowing them to become central to their respective country’s societies. Europe’s Kings and Queens have seen endless people come and go, as have their respective monarchies over their long and fruitful histories. Europe’s Royal Families not only serve in the political sphere but also serve the nation with their championing and support of charitable causes and appeals. This can be seen in many nations – with the Queen of Sweden co-founding the World Childhood Foundation in 1999 showing that royalty continue to involve themselves in charities, which they have done since the foundling concept of these organisations.

The history of royal involvement in philanthropy can be seen as HRH Princess Mary-Adelaide of Teck, born a British Princess was known as the first ‘People’s Princess’ due to her heavy support of voluntary and charitable organisations in the reign of Victoria. The effectiveness of royalty’s social-role can be seen through the positive responses to Prince William’s “Call to Arms” campaign in 2010. Many agree this is an exemplary way for the upper-classes to use their inherited wealth and status for the furtherance of social issues. Their experience of aiding charitable causes for generations will come to play an integral role in the future.

Royalty also plays other roles at the centre of our modern societies. They no longer rule us, so instead of looking to our Monarchs and Royal Families for guidance, we look to them for support and reassurance of stability and continuity. The can be seen as far back as George III who wished to present the image of a united family that symbolised the nation – indeed in the reign of Queen Victoria, as the time when the role of the British royal family and monarch in society was being defined as “the family on the throne”. In many respects, this is how royalty have become viewed in the modern age; we look to our Royal Families to encapsulate morality and traditional values. We place them at the heart of the nation – symbolically and culturally. This can be seen through the great excitement that occurs around royal events as simple and “normal” as weddings, christenings and funerals.

The great importance that these “ordinary” family events have for the people of each Royal Family’s respective countries can be seen through the vast crowds and public interest surrounding these relatively personal ceremonies. The recent wedding of HRH the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden was covered everywhere from HOLA! Magazine in Spain to British Grazia.

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden

In Britain this popular support was seen via the celebrations that surrounded the Golden Jubilee; an event which was predicted by some to become an abject failure and symbol of the decline of monarchical support. However those who doubted were proved wrong.

Very wrong!

The celebrations culminated in a weekend of events in June, which saw the largest crowd gathered outside Buckingham Palace and on the Mall since the V-E Day celebrations in 1945. A defiant symbol of the central place monarchy still holds in the nation and society as a whole.

If one is to look past the palaces, the carriages, the beautiful dresses and priceless jewels, there is an institution that is central and integral to the nation; both politically and socially.

As society, Europe and the world changes – I personally feel safe that one constant always remains. As these institutions adapt, which they do with each successive generation, I am looking forward to seeing what the future holds.