Role and Influence as the Queen of Great Britain
Elizabeth II is the Queen of Great Britain and is the longest reigning British monarch. She has attained a remarkable amount of power throughout her reign, to the point of being a figurehead for not only the monarchy but the nation itself. Her influence as the sovereign of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is boundless, filled with a myriad of privileges granted not to other British citizens. Despite the reverence for the Queen, it is crucial to consider the extent and limitations of her power in addition to her various roles, including as the Head of State.
The Queen has a unique and unalterable role in British politics. Primarily, Elizabeth II presides over the elected government, represented symbolically by opening Parliament and giving consent to legislation that affects the monarchy. The Queen is also in charge of performing various ceremonial duties such as granting royal assent to laws, awarding honors, and presenting awards, albeit without political power. Furthermore, the Queen is obligated to remain impartial and politically neutral in her roles, particularly on important matters such as constitutional or political matters.
The Queen also carries out a vital role in influencing public opinion. From a constitutional perspective, it is incumbent on the Queen to remain neutral and politically impartial – not unaffected – by the events in her country and the world. As such, the Queen has come to be seen as a voice of reason and continuity. From Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953 till today, she has stood as a symbol of stability and progress in Britain, evoking an unparalleled level of loyalty. It is no wonder that the Queen has long been seen as a figurehead for her nation: through her speeches, public messages, and philanthropy, the Queen has earned the trust of many of the British people.
The role of the Queen of Great Britain is certainly influential, however it is important to remember that Elizabeth II’s power is limited. Ultimately, she does not hold any political power, leaving the majority of government decisions to the parliament and state leaders. Overtime, monarchs have lost many of their traditional privileges; the age-old principles of ‘the divine right of kings’ no longer grant monarchs any assumptions from the people and the law. Ultimately, although the Queen plays a powerful role in the United Kingdom, she remains subject to the rule of the law just like any other citizen.
History and Succession of the Title
The title of Queen of Great Britain is incredibly important in the country’s history. As Britain’s first queen regnant, Elizabeth I was the first monarch to not have to share her powers with a husband. She also established a powerful precedent for the position of Queen, one that is still celebrated to this day. After her impressive 44-year reign, Elizabeth was eventually succeeded by James I in 1603, and monarchy and Parliament were united for the first time.
Elizabeth’s successor, James I, founded the “Royal Stuarts,” a monarchy that would last until the death of Queen Anne in 1714. Following this succession, the title of Queen of Great Britain was officially bestowed on the Electress Sophia of Hanover and her issue (leaders who rose after her death). These subsequent monarchs, including Queen Victoria, served until the mid-twentieth century, when the Queen’s father, King George VI, took the throne. The Royal Stuarts led the country until 1952, when Queen Elizabeth II succeeded her father, George VI, and officially became the Queen of Great Britain.
Elizabeth II was just 25 when she became Queen in 1952, and had to quickly adjust to the monumental changes in power and protocol. She was crowned in a spectacular ceremony in Westminster Abbey on 2nd June 1953. This day was a seminal moment in the Queen’s reign, being watched on television by millions of citizens in both Britain and abroad. It was also the point in which Elizabeth II officially became a symbol of the United Kingdom– a role that she has since championed with grace.
Since her ascent to the throne, the Queen has presided over the turbulent years of the 1960s, the Falklands War in 1982, and the emergence of the digital age in the 1990s. She has also seen the House of Windsor become the world’s longest reigning royal family, defying odds and becoming British national treasure. Today, Elizabeth II is a part of the lives of all Britain’s citizens; she has, in her own way, bridged cultural, generational, and social gaps.
Philanthropy and Support
Elizabeth II has been responsible for many benevolent causes, having supported many charitable organizations financially and through public gain. Queen Elizabeth II is patron of approximately 600 organizations, many of which support vulnerable members of society, including medical charities, women’s shelters, and veterans associations. Additionally, in recent years, the Queen has campaigned for animal welfare, conservation, and religious tolerance. Her Majestys work reflects a long-standing belief that members of the royal family should help those in need.
In addition to her philanthropic endeavors, her Majesty has shown her unwavering support for the United Kingdom by making numerous official visits to all parts of the country. Here, Queen Elizabeth has met with British citizens from all walks life, gathering an additional amount of adoration and respect due to her trendsetting common touch. The Queen’s public displays strengthen the nature of the relationship between Her Majestys monarchy and the people of the United Kingdom– a connection that surely will not vanish in the near future.
Although Queen Elizabeth II plays no direct role in politics or policy, she is firmly opposed to social injustice. Quite recently, in response to the death of George Floyd, the Queen released a public statement encouraging families to talk to children about why a change in the world is necessary and how to work towards a society void of racism. Through this display, Elizabeth has cemented the Royal Family’s commitment to fighting inequality and prejudice.
Economic Impact
The Queen and Royal Family of Great Britain are known to bring in considerable amounts of revenue to the British economy. Every royal occasion brings visitors from all over the world which in turn brings about benefits of tourism due to Royal events. Indeed, a report on Raith economic impact showed that activities relating to the Queen alone generated a turnover of 3.6 billion pounds. The study found that the Royal Family’s presence in the United Kingdom directly led to an estimated 176 million pounds of revenue to the British economy in 2018.
In addition to the Royal family’s economic success, a large number of people can benefit from the Queen’s royalties. The Royal Palaces, which are the Queen’s official homes throughout Britain, are immensely popular tourist spots which garner much needed attendance for local businesses. Furthermore, the Crown Estate, the portfolio of land owned by the Queen, is consistently giving back to society. Forty percent of the Crown Estate’s profits are given back to help the local regions where the estate exists, once again granting local businesses and communities invaluable financial support.
Ultimately, as the longest-reigning British monarch, Elizabeth II has been incredibly successful in her economic ventures. From a national perspective, Elizabeth’s reign has been a positive one, with tourism, trade and investments all increasing significantly during her reign. Her reign has also shown how a Royal Family can survive and prosper in the modern world, influencing millions at home and abroad.
Cultural Significance
The Queen is undoubtedly a force in both British and world culture; her image can be seen in practically every corner of the United Kingdom, gracing coins, buildings, currency, and media. Since her coronation, Queen Elizabeth has appeared in countless photographs, news reports, and interviews. During her reign, the Queen has become a beloved figure in Britain with her public messages and gestures providing comfort to her millions of people throughout generations.
The media coverage of the monarchy has expanded significantly over the years. As one of the first modern celebrities, Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II has undeniably been the face of the modern British monarchy. Her image is often found on television and magazines, and her name is known and respected all over the world. From the Queen herself to the next generation of royals, Britain’s monarchy continues to be a leading source of national pride and cultural significance.
There is also no limit to the influence Elizabeth II has had on Britain’s fashion. Since her early years as Monarch, the Queen has favored bright colors, spurring ideas of royal fashion that are in vogue even today. Her iconic style has lent to her image as a style icon and popular culture referent. Furthermore, Her Majesty has been a major influence in popular culture, especially in the music industry, with songs devoted to the Queen and Royal Family being produced throughout different decades.
Legacy
Elizabeth II has truly earned her title as one of the longest reigning monarchs in history. She has not only been able to withstand the test of time as a staple figure of the monarchy, but has also transcended the monarchy’s narrow realm of traditional power and extended it to a much larger sphere of influence.
Today, Elizabeth II is a celebrated figure amongst citizens of the United Kingdom; she is known, admired, and honored, and is undoubtedly one of most cherished Queens in British history. For most in the country, the reign of Elizabeth II serves as a reminder of Britain’s proud past and even more promising future. Her Majesty’s legacy will forever be one of a leader, who, tirelessly, dedicated her life to her country.
Comparison to Europe’s Monarchs
Elizabeth II is not the only monarch in Europe that has
