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Monarchy thrives over in Europe. I once had a European cabinet minister tell me that Europe was populated by two different kinds of people. There were people who did what they were told and followed rules, and people who were upstarts, who went out and went out on their own. And they all got on a boat and came to America, leaving behind the people who do what they're told. And in England, it's seen as something that brings the country together, without necessarily having political power, that can be a force of unity.
-Tim Carney |
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Queen Elizabeth II this week celebrated her diamond jubilee, 60 years of service as reigning queen of England. Celebrations included a star-studded concert on the steps of Buckingham Palace that featured Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, and Sir Tom Jones. A flotilla of over 1,000 boats rode the Thames, with the queen leading the pageant in a royal barge. A thanksgiving service at St. Paul's Cathedral and a carriage procession through London concluded the celebration. Over 1.5 million people gathered to show their allegiance to the extremely popular queen. A current U.K. poll shows an 80 percent approval rating for her majesty, who is now the second-longest reigning monarch to serve in British history. Only Queen Victoria, 1837 to 1908, reigned four years longer, 64 years. Queen Elizabeth II rose to power 60 years ago after her father, King George VI, passed away.
John McLaughlin notes that currently 45 nations have monarchies in place, including Denmark and Spain and asks why does monarchy still thrive? |
