Defending he British Crown Commonwealth and the English-Speaking Realms
The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice - G.K. Chesterton
Sunday, August 9, 2009
The King and Mr. Pitt
If it were up to me, prime ministers would still yield to their king in a manner bordering on extreme deference. Bowing, scraping and stooping before majesty was not a form of indignity and personal debasement, but of respect for authority. It was not to prostrate oneself before a mere man, but what the man represented, which was and still is the sovereign embodiment of the people. When a prime minister bows before a king, he bows before all of us. It is a humbling act, a way to descend the politician from his superior position such that he never condescends above the people.
I love this line:
ReplyDeleteKing George (pointing to a map of the U.S.): "The Colonies!"
Mr. Pitt: "They now are called the United States, Sir."
King George: "Are They? Goodness Me! ... The United States !"
Indeed, Tweedsmuir.
ReplyDeleteTo be a loyal subject is not a loss of personhood, but a glory. To affirm the monarchy is not a loss of dignity, but an affirmation of it.
Gentlemen,
ReplyDeleteI must say I have some trouble with the concept of the King as a representative of the people.
That said, I like the bowing. Some might say this scene demonstrates overdoing it.
The problem in our time, however, is not primarily the lack of symbolism, but the lack of deeper meaning in that symbolism.
Indeed, the traditional idea of kings was that they were God's servant, not the people's. The idea that a king is a representative of the people is a fairly modern and democratic innovation!
ReplyDeleteI have no trouble with with the concept of the King as a symbol of the people/nation collectively. A 'representative' would be my MP, who only represents my district, not my nation. My Queen is my Country; my PM is an administrator. This is seems to be a point not understood by republicans.
ReplyDelete