I couldn't watch today's ceremony in its entirety - a common man's labour is a burden not to be mocked at - but I did follow a bit. And no doubt, yards of media real estate will be devoted to the event in the days to come. So I am assured of enough fodder to feed my curiosity, nosiness, and general interest in trivia.
And I suppose (and hope) that this post will also go down as part of the coronation archives.
There are many monarchs scattered around the globe - some serving, some retired, some forced out. But none of them can come close to generating the grandeur, history, and plain spectacle-worthiness of a British monarch.
The British monarch carries more history on their (damn pronouns) shoulders than most other monarchs. A central part of social and political life in the island for the better part of a thousand years, and a global phenomenon for nearly 300 years, the British monarchy get its share of barbs today, well into the 21st century.
But modernity is nothing but the continuity of tradition in new clothes, so the enthronement of a new monarch today was merely a part of the continuum that is the British monarchy. And never mind if the commoners (read republicans) moan about the lack of relevance of this institution.
The late Queen Elizabeth II was considered a "mother figure" by most Britishers, and her passing was almost unthinkable. Especially because it happened so suddenly. But the immediate declaration of the current King as the new monarch (aka Head of State) assured the public of continuity, if not synchronicity with the mood at large.
Unlike other monarchies, the British monarchy is a very familiar feature to most people on the planet. Most of our ancestors were "subjects of the crown" at one time (I remember trying to claim "British ancestry by virtue of my grandfather and father being British subjects", when asked why I should be given a British visa).
Due to this massive footprint of Empire, I sometimes feel that there are more "Brits" outside the British Isles than in the Isles! Most former colonies still cling to most things British, while the colonies seem to have colonised the UK entirely. Remember, the Prime Minister is of Indian origin and the First Minister of Scotland is of Pakistani origin. On my first visit to Oxford Street as a wide-eyed, dyed-in-the-wool Wodehouse fan, I could only hear Gujarati! And when I asked a pale-skinned lad where the Brits were he replied "Can't say, I'm Irish." In my 12 visits to the country since then, I have met a Baronet, a Lord, and the richest person in England. All are Indian. Many of the key players in today's coronation are of non-British ancestry, and this flexibility of accommodation is a key feature of today's monarchy in the United Kingdom.
There is much chatter about the monarchy being a closed user group due to its inherent "heriditary" nature. That the monarch is an accident of birth. That it's not a given that a monarch may have the ability to lead. But there is much to be said about absorbing "leadership" and "ruler" traits from a thousand years of collective family experience. Yes there are the bad eggs - which farm doesn't have them? But the British monarch has a very visible, active, and involved role in the Armed Forces of the country, and the entire sequence of responsibility to, and of, the armed forces (a much loved and respected institution in any country), is something that underscores the centrality of the monarchy to life in the UK. And being part of the Armed Forces does imbue one with leadership traits. If nothing else, you learn to bite the bullet. Or dodge it. Depends on your outlook and position in life.
Today the British monarch is more an advertising campaign for their country rather than a "ruler of all that they survey" (I really need a solution to these pronouns!) The pomp and pageantry of today's coronation is no doubt as much a media success as an organisational one! As long as the TRPs and talking heads see merit and value (even transitory) in the monarchy, I see no immediate threat to this institution.
Be that as it may, as someone who lives in an absolute monarchy in the Middle East, I know that the bonds tying the monarch to their subjects can be as strong or as tenuous as the monarch wants. I can see the huge respect and affection given to the rulers of the country where I live, and how they respond in kind.
And on that note, let me return to my tea and cucumber sandwiches with chutney.
God Save The King!
1 comment:
Absolutely true. Aapri Rani was loved by the world. ( More as she grew older i think). And my mother follows Kate on Insta. The circle is complete and goes on forever:)
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