Um, being the Queen? Part of a legacy of a government that has been around for 800 years? When the government of these US gets to 800 years, get back to me. Course by then the United Kingdom will have been around for 1400 years
Fancy parties, lavish food, designer gowns. Maybe its fun, but it should not be a reason to worship and stand in awe of any of these people.
Has nothing to do with parties, food, or gowns (well maybe the parties and food a bit). The Queen is Great Britain. She is the nation. When you look at the royal monarch you're recognizing 800 years of history. You're glimpsing the Magna Carta, Agincourt, Hastings. The rise of the language with which we're conversing. A nation that had to deal with the Roundheads but still brought the monarchy back. That stood up to Napoleon and by doing so created two of the most well known names in the latter half of the second millenium. It's a respect for history.
You look at politicians and there's just politics. They'll be done and gone in a few years. They'll fade away. Blair is a buffoon and so was Major before him (yeah I know it's been 10 years but there was a government before Labour). Yes they make the laws but there's no history to them. As much as I respect her memory even the Iron Lady doesn't hold a candle to the monarchy, and no not even Churchill.
Do I recognize failings within the monarchy? Of course. Prince Harry may be the most well suited to take over between the three successors but I know he will not. I recognize Charles' mistakes and William's gaffes but when they wear that crown they are more than the men they were, they will be England. You cannot say that about a President, a Senator, or Representative.
I am a North Carolinian first and foremost but as a student of history, I see something that once was great and still is in its own fashion. But I also recognize that while this nation is indeed powerful, it will never reach the standard set by those that came before it. Sure we have our songs, our own pomp and circumstance, but nothing like that. When you hear God Save the Queen or Rule Brittania being played and know that they've been played for close to 300 years. You can feel the history in the buildings, standing in the same place of the Tower that Sir Walter Raleigh once stood or walking into Wren's St Paul's and the reverence the building still has (compared to the crowds at Westminster). The quietness standing at Nelson's tomb.
That is what I see when I see the Queen. Sorry for the rant
How about after they adopt sharia law? Will they still be respected? Or will they be mourned?
Will they fight for their culture?