Saluting the Venerable Queen
Queen Elizabeth II is 90 years old today. She appears to be in robust health, and could reign for many more years. (Remember, her mother lived to be 101.) Let’s hope she does, because her son Charles is a couple of kippers short of a full English breakfast.
To an American, the idea of a queen, or a king, is more than a bit strange. Eccentric even. But if a country is to have one, it’s hard to imagine anyone doing a better job of it than Elizabeth II has for more than 60 years. She’s smart, always dignified, knows when to put her oar in and when not to. When she gives advice it’s pretty good.
When Elizabeth II became queen in 1952, Winston Churchill was prime minister. The talent pool on the political side has deteriorated seriously since then. Granted I’m getting a look-in from a long way away at a system no American fully understands. But from where I sit it looks like Elizabeth represents adult supervision where it’s badly needed.
Speaking of adult supervision, she’s been a rock during all of the bad times, many of them self-induced, for her own family, many of whose apples have fallen a good distance from the solid tree.
Long live the queen. Many happy returns. And Charles, you just keep hanging around. It’s what you’re good at.