Queen Elizabeth
May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed rest in peace.
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant with thy saints:
where sorrow and pain are no more;
neither sighing but life everlasting.
Thou only art immortal,
the creator and maker of man:
and we are mortal formed from the dust of the earth,
and unto earth shall we return:
for so thou didst ordain,
when thou created me saying:
Dust thou art and unto dust shalt thou return.
All we go down to the dust;
and weeping o’er the grave we make our song:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Only met her once at a garden party at which I was a university representative. A gracious and lovely person… She will be mourned and she will be missed.
Amen, Duane, amen… mourned and missed…. Prince Charles is definitely a question mark!
Thank you, Duane. I think she was one of the greatest leaders of the 20th Century.
Am I correct that she was a devout Christian? Anybody know?
She was a devout Christian and faithful Anglican…
Home safe. Blessed be her memory!
Isn’t the monarchy just a figure head? Excuse my ignorance but what power did she or the king really have? They can’t make policy, that’s up to parliament. They can declare war but need the ok from parliament.
They are the head of the church but what power does the monarchy really have
Never met the Queen but I’ve met her Sovereign and he assures that she is well.
What a life!
Hoppy
She had the power to ennoble an entire kingdom. That’s more power than parliament can manage.
Lots of ways to have an influence on others, other than using (raw) political power. The power of influence… stronger in many ways.
Elizabeth worked with three of the most influential prime ministers in British history-Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher and Tony Blair. She supported the breakup of the old British Empire, paving the way for many of the independent countries the world knows today. That’s quite a bit of influence, in my opinion.
The Queen (and now our King) is Commander in Chief of the British Armed Forces and as such could declare war. That power, however, is not absolute and can be overridden by elected government ministers.
The monarch also has the power to remove a Governor General who is appointed by the monarch on the recommendation of a Prime Minister. It’s never happened, and would only happen on the recommendation of the PM. She also gives Royal Assent to all bills passed by Parliament, which then makes the bill law. The role is symbolic.
As Head of State, the monarch carries out constitutional and representational responsibilities.
As Head of Nation for Britain and our Monarch and Head of State in the Commonwealth, the role of the Monarch is important, ceremonial, focusing on unity, pride and identity that gives stability and continuity. The Monarch recognizes excellence, service, success and volunteerism and is to uplift others and model sacrifice and service.
The Monarch rules with consent of Parliament, which has the authority to remove a monarch (but not the monarchy without an act of Parliament). Likewise, the Monarch could remove a PM who refuses to leave after a vote of no confidence, but public pressure would do the job. The Monarch has a responsibility and duty to remain politically neutral.
We mourn the loss of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty was an exceptional woman, who served well. Over the next 10 days, the coverage of mourning and ceremony will be collective, giving room for healing.
It is difficult to explain to American friends but her dignity, grace and tenacity lifted us. As a ‘figurehead’ her ability to unify, encourage and ennoble her subjects cannot be overstated.
It has been a sad day. She served faithfully and well. May she rest in peace.
I was both saddened and angered at the mean and cruel things some people purportedly said.
Don’t they know that it will come back and down on their own heads?
Karma and her sister Comeuppance are relentless that way.
Bene D-Thank you for so much information I didn’t know about the British monarchy!
Yes, thanks very much, Bene D.
I saw her twice at ribbon cutting ceremonies in Oxford. A great woman. Loved and respected by so many. Memory eternal.
A nice reflection in Christianity Today…
https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2022/september/obit-queen-elizabeth-ii-personal-faith-christian-bible.html
The Bishop of London quoted Tom Wright in her message at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Much more importantly she spoke of Elizabeth’s faith in God.
bob1
Watching the service, I must confess there are some things that Anglicans do really well…
Me too Duane, very well indeed.
Personal for the family and yet for all of us.
When you have a chance BBC has King Charles III address.
It’s going to be strange to sing God Save the King.
Bene D
In terms of a public face, we see the best of Anglicanism as a via media. There is tradition and ceremony, but they are not used as a blunt instruments but allowed to convey beauty and meaning. We see engagement with the culture but the engagement is along the lines of duty and service. In all that is being said and done, there is an emphasis on being apolitical. Refreshing…
Duane, Yes. Refreshing indeed!
Is there a compilation of her Christmas addresses? Would that not be a treasure? Perhaps someone will take that up.
No compilation that I know of, but a large number of them are available on YouTube…
The greatness of David was demonstrated when he humbled himself in the linen ephod and brought the throne of God into Zion. In that act he established his agreement with God’s desire to be Israel’s king. Thus his heart and God’s were one. He did not regard equality with God as a thing to be grasped. He made himself of no reputation.
Apparently Elizabeth II followed that model. Her funeral was about England’s greater King. Her departure from public ministry was a celebration of her King and Lord. We were ennobled in her death as in her life by her majestic deferment to Christ.
We were exhorted to lift up our heads that the King of glory may come in.
Hallelujah.
The state funeral at Westminster Abbey and the committal service at Saint George’s Windsor, were, in my opinion, extraordinarily beautiful and appropriate. It is worth noting, that the service at Westminster Abbey was conducted in one hour and three minutes and was inclusive of all of the appropriate prayers and a sermon. They were content to let the Prayer Book speak. It really was Anglican liturgy at its best. If you didn’t see it, it’s worth looking up on YouTube…
GO forth upon thy journey from this world, O Christian soul; In the name of God the Father Almighty who created thee; In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for thee; In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengtheneth thee. In communion with the blessèd saints, and aided by Angels and Archangels, and all the armies of the heavenly host, may thy portion this day be in peace, and thy dwelling in the heavenly Jerusalem. Amen.
Yes,
The church’s liturgy served the kingdom of God well and the world has never witnessed a moment like that on such a scale. Superlative claims like that are usually errant but I’ll risk the corrections. Queen Elizabeth II was glorious in her death. Let us learn from the moment that Christ not human persons has all the glory.
Now we pray that the oil and hands and liturgy of the new coronation will bring with it the power which is to be conveyed by those means and may King Charles III be a faithful steward.
As usual the artists capture it for us…
Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anointed Solomon king.
And all the people rejoiced and said:
God save the King! Long live the King! God save the King!
May the King live for ever. Amen. Hallelujah
G F Handel
The order of the service for the funeral at Westminster Abbey may be found here:
https://www.westminster-abbey.org/media/15467/order-of-service-the-state-funeral-of-her-majesty-queen-elizabeth-ii.pdf
The order of the service for the committal in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, may be found here:
https://www.royal.uk/sites/default/files/media/committal_of_her_majesty_queen_elizabeth_ii_-_order_of_service.pdf