A Life of Service

 

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been on the throne for seventy years, and is therefore celebrating her Platinum Jubilee. She is the Head of State for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and of fourteen other countries. She is also Head of the Commonwealth of Nations, which has a total membership of 54 countries. The length of her reign is only exceeded by one other monarch in recorded history, King Louis XIV of France, who became king at the age of 4.
Princess Elizabeth became queen when a young mother. She took on the onerous duties of head of state at the age of 25 and has devoted herself to it ever since. As a devout Christian, she takes her coronation vows seriously. Even at the age of 96, she still performs many duties. For this life of service she has earned general respect.

So, what did the Platinum Jubilee consist of? In the United Kingdom, it was celebrated by street parties, church services, concerts, parades and a major pageant in central London, highlighting the diversity of the populations the queen represents.

Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, wrote: “Although a republican form of government profiteth all the peoples of the world, yet the majesty of kingship is one of the signs of God. We do not wish that the countries of the world should remain deprived thereof. If the sagacious combine the two forms into one, great will be their reward in the presence of God.”

During the 1860s, Bahá’u’lláh wrote to a number of emperors, kings, and leaders of republics, urging them to adopt a programme of major reform, which would have led to the abolition of warfare and a more equitable system of economic and social life. One of those to whom He wrote was Queen Victoria, and in His letter He referred to the handing of power to the representatives of the people: “We have also heard that thou hast entrusted the reins of counsel into the hands of the representatives of the people. Thou, indeed, hast done well, for thereby the foundations of the edifice of thine affairs will be strengthened, and the hearts of all that are beneath thy shadow, whether high or low, will be tranquillised.”
Queen Victoria, upon reading this letter, is reported to have said: “If this of God, it will endure. If not, it can do no harm.” She replied to Bahá’u’lláh in very courteous terms – the only monarch to reply at all! It is a notable historical fact that of all the monarchs who received letters from Bahá’u’lláh, Victoria is the only one whose dynasty is still in place!

Another consideration is the benefit of having someone who is non-political in outlook as the person who represents the nation. In a few countries, there is an elected president who represents a particular party or viewpoint. But many countries prefer to have a president who never was at the forefront of politics – a wise, somewhat neutral person who stands for the nation. In a constitutional monarchy, such as exists in the United Kingdom, such a person is bequeathed to the nation.

The reign of Queen Elizabeth is being celebrated with particular enthusiasm because she is recognised as having been a very good queen. Over seventy years, she has earned the respect of the vast majority of the population for her devotion to duty. She has been a symbol of stability through changing times. She is seen as a righteous lady, tolerant and sympathetic. Her life has been that of service: she works for the people, and tries to do things for the benefit of all. The idea of service is a very important one to Bahá’ís, and a life of service is what every Bahá’í aspires to achieve: “Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race.” (Bahá’í Writings)
Our current sovereign has given us a powerful example of a life of service.