This link to Balmoral has always been fascinating to me as there isn't much Scottish about the royal family other than Queen Victoria's professed love for the culture mostly through the literary work of Sir Walter Scott. She was the one who commissioned having the castle built back in the 19th century and went out of her way to identify herself with Scottish Gaelic culture at a time most English looked down on Scots and many still do. I suppose Victoria thought it might heal the kingdom after the notorious Highland Clearances, which stretched from the mid 18th to mid 19th century. It seemed to work, as Scots accepted her rule, not that they had any choice.
Victoria had been the longest reigning monarch until Elizabeth. Her reign stretched from 1837 to 1901, inspiring much of what we see as modern society today. The Victorian era inspired everything from the British Arts and Crafts Movement to the first automobiles. Victoria saw profound changes occur during her time. Elizabeth had too, with a reign that dated back to 1952. Seventy years to the dot.
The funny thing was that Elizabeth wasn't very modern. She was a traditionalist. Historians believe that was because she was the accidental queen. She would have never inherited the throne had not Edward been forced to abdicate because of his marriage to an American divorcee. Her father George, the famous stutterer, assumed the throne in his older brother's place thereby paving the way for his eldest daughter to become queen. It was a little faster than expected. His untimely death led to her ascension at the young age of 26.
Edward had been the modernist but crusty old Britain wasn't ready for someone like him, and so he was forced to give up his title. Something he deeply regretted if we are to believe the early seasons of The Crown. But, it adds to the romantic myth in that he gave up his crown for love.
Today, it is no problem marrying someone else's former wife. Charles divorced Diana so that he could be with his first love Camilla, who had divorced her husband, Andrew Parker Bowles, so that she could be with him. You have to think Edward would be rolling over in his grave, but then if he had held onto his title we would have never known Elizabeth.
There was something deeply comforting about Elizabeth. You knew she would never break from protocol. She filled her role with a solemn responsibility, yet showed a spark of humor in her august years that was probably always there, but kept hidden. She had to endure a lot, especially if we take The Crown at face value. Worst of all was her son, Andrew, who turned out to be a pedophile. Although to hear the British press it was Harry that gave her the most grief. Maybe so, but I don't think for the reasons the press gives. Elizabeth always had a soft spot for Harry and was probably very sad to see things turn out the way they did for him.
Then there were the Corgis. There was even an animated feature finally made that highlighted her special relationship with these canine dwarves. She also had a deep love for horses, not so widely publicized. I suppose these animals gave her a lot of comfort when things went south in the royal family, especially at the time of Diana's death. The royal family wasn't so popular then.
There will be greater expectation for the next season of The Crown, as it moves into the present era, although the Netflix series has apparently been put on hold in deference to the Queen. Most of what has happened in recent years has been on public display, much to the chagrin of the royal family. They've managed to weather it though, thanks in large part to William and Harry growing into fine young men, making up for the many indiscretions of their father, who finally has become King after 73 long years in waiting. There were many who hoped he would pass the throne to his eldest son William, but there was no way Charles III was going to pass up this opportunity, no matter how fleeting it may be. Even still, we are likely to see him King for 20 or so years. William will be pushing 60 by that time. It is kind of sad seeing princes grow old before our eyes.
We will now be exposed to more pageantry than any of us have ever seen before as the Queen is laid to rest. This could stretch on for weeks, even months, as everyone is allowed to pay their respects to the grand lady. It is expected that all the surviving US presidents will be on hand, even Trump, although I imagine he will make up some excuse to bow out. It is safe to say he wasn't the Queen's favorite, but then I don't imagine she had much time for LBJ either. Another coarse man who refused to pay her deference. However, it was always a bit odd that American presidents felt the need to court the Queen, given that the American colonies had expressly divorced themselves from the Crown in 1776.
Anyway, it is time to give credit where credit is due. She was a good queen, all things considered, earning the respect of virtually everyone who came in contact with her. Daina and I even caught a glimpse of her when she paid a visit to Lithuania in 2006. She gave a stirring speech before the parliament, commending the nation on its enduring freedom, which was very well received. It's just too bad that we are now left with Charles.
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