A sermon for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Given at Christ’s Hospital on Sunday, 18 September 2022
Pluralis Majestatis.
The Majestic Plural.
Or, as many of us know it: The Royal We.
It is an idiosyncrasy of those who occupy high office, most especially monarchs, that they refer to themselves not in the first person ‘I’ but in the Majestic Plural ‘We’.
It is used because when a dignitary or monarch speaks in an official capacity, they do not speak for themselves, but as the leader of an institution or nation.
Perhaps the most famous example is attributed to Queen Victoria who, on hearing a joke which she didn’t appreciate, said, ‘We are not amused.’
As we gather this night to give thanks for the life of Queen Elizabeth II, I think the ‘Majestic Plural’, the ‘Royal We’ might help us in our remembering and thanksgiving.
Throughout the 70 years of Queen Elizabeth’s reign, we have seen the relentless march of individualism, which places the self at the centre; we live in the world of the selfie and the iPhone.
But our late Queen gave us an alternative pattern for living. At the tender age of 21, she gave a speech, in which she made a solemn promise:
‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service…’
Thank God it was a long life and she made good her vow: she was entirely devoted to the service of her people.
In a world of the individualistic ‘I’, she knew and lived the true meaning of the collective ‘we’.
Queen Elizabeth II was perhaps the most well-travelled individual in the world, visiting more than 120 countries. Closest to her heart were the nations of the Commonwealth: she made it her life’s work to foster friendly relations and to celebrate the rich diversity of its 54 countries.
In a world of the individualistic ‘I’, she knew and lived the true meaning of the collective ‘we’.
As Head of State, Queen Elizabeth was Reader Number One, receiving daily the famous Red Box, containing State papers. She kept abreast of everything that was going on in Government, every decision that would have a direct impact on her people. She met weekly with each of her fifteen Prime Ministers to ‘be informed, to encourage and to warn’.
In a world of the individualistic ‘I’, she knew and lived the true meaning of the collective ‘we’.
The Queen lent her name as Patron to over 500 charities, including our own Foundation, providing publicity and encouragement, as they seek to make a real difference to the lives of people in our society. She recognised the contributions made by individuals to the community, the nation, and the world by conferring titles and awards on people from all walks of life: soldiers, sporting heroes, actors, farmers, lollipop ladies and countless others.
In a world of the individualistic ‘I’, she knew and lived the true meaning of the collective ‘we’.
Queen Elizabeth was able to speak the pain of national and international tragedy. Following the attacks of 11 September 2001, she captured the feelings of all those who had lost family and friends, with the words, ‘Grief is the price we pay for love.’
In the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, she addressed the nation, thanking essential workers, and giving us hope for the future, when she recalled the World War II song ‘We’ll meet again.’
Following the death of her beloved husband, it is reported that she was offered a relaxation of coronavirus restrictions so that more guests could attend the funeral. She refused and sat alone, as countless others had done at the funerals of their loved ones.
In a world of the individualistic ‘I’, she knew and lived the true meaning of the collective ‘we’.
Of course, none of this was an accident or the product of some self-constructed philosophy. Queen Elizabeth II had a deep and rich Christian faith, which was her rock and inspiration, her whole life through. In 2008, she said:
‘I hope that, like me, you will be comforted by the example of Jesus of Nazareth who, often in circumstances of great adversity, managed to live an outgoing, unselfish and sacrificial life … He makes it clear that genuine human happiness and satisfaction lie more in giving than receiving; more in serving than in being served.’
The sacrificial, unconditional, reconciling love of Christ was the pattern for her life. As a faithful member of Christ’s own flock, she saw his face in the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the poor, the sick and the prisoner.
In a world of the individualistic ‘I’, she knew and lived the true meaning of the Pluralis Majestatis, the Majestic Plural, the Royal We.
Now, as a nation and Commonwealth grieve the loss of our most dedicated servant, we can honour her memory, her legacy, by living as she did, in service to each other.
And it is our fervent prayer that she now hears the voice of her Shepherd, saying: ‘Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.’
May Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second rest in peace, and may God save the King.
Amen.
The Truth Shall Make You Odd 