Like many of us, I always look forward to the second Monday in June. For as long as I can remember, this has been the occasion of, first, the Queen’s and now the King’s birthday long weekend. The date of the holiday of the monarch’s birthday does not coincide with either the King’s or the late Queen’s actual birthday. The celebration of the monarch’s birthday in early June has the advantage of spreading out the occurrence of long weekends throughout the year.
Although we celebrate the King’s birthday in June, I often wonder if anyone devotes much time to contemplating the life of the King. Australia’s relationship with the British monarchy has waxed and waned in its strength and attachment. There was a time when it seemed that our journey toward becoming a republic was inevitable, but our republican sentiment seems to have waned over recent years. I suspect that many of us have a passing affection for the monarchy but little real attachment to the institution of the British Crown, other than as a quaint tradition and a part of the reason we like to visit London.
For many people, both in the United Kingdom and across the globe, the British monarchy is often held to be a symbol of stability and constancy. Governments may come and go but the monarchy goes on. The late Queen was served by 15 separate Prime Ministers, from Winston Churchill to Liz Truss, who the Queen formally appointed as her Prime Minister two days before she died. The passing of the Queen and the ascension of King Charles III to the throne has been the first change in the monarchy that many of us have known.
This year has not been a good year for the King. Leaving aside all the gossip column inches that speculate over the state of royal relationships and royal finances, the King’s health has been in the media spotlight for much of the year. The announcement by the palace that the King had cancer came as a surprise to many of us. Coupled with the news that the princess of Wales was also undergoing treatment for cancer, the news of the King’s illness reminds us that even royalty are subject to the frailties and infirmities of life. Despite all the appearances of permanence and stability, there is a transience about every royal’s reign.
The return of the King to public life has been greeted by many as a return to the steadiness that the Sovereign represents. The initial feelings of uncertainty that surrounded the announcement of King Charles’ condition have been replaced by a feeling of quiet optimism that he will recover.
I am neither a staunch monarchist nor a steadfast republican. I feel a certain warmth for the institution, but I can also see merit in the arguments that are put forward for Australia to become a republic. I am content to lead the congregation in prayers for the King and all in authority but also to pray with equal fervour for change to our government systems to ensure that all people are treated equally and with respect. I hope the King does recover and enjoys a long and happy life. I am also aware, given that the King is 75, chances are that I will see the day when his son takes his place upon the throne and the holiday we enjoy on the second Sunday in June will be in honour of King William V (if he takes William as his regnal name).
Despite their apparent permanence when compared with heads of government, monarchs also come and go. The only throne that enjoys permanence is the heavenly throne. The one who sits on this throne will enjoy a reign that knows no end.
Yours in Christ,
Andrew
