Crowning Glory

Five emperors, a dozen kings and a score of minor dynasts have vanished in the wars, revolutions and other dislocations of the 20th century. Britain's empire, too, is diminished, yet neither hot war nor cold war, nuclear nor social fission has tarnished the bright gold of the British crown. In an age that tends to reject ritual, scoff at virtue and call magic coincidence the crown that was set this week on the head of Elizabeth II was more generally accepted because better understood, better loved because more respected, than it had ever been before.

Ten centuries of jurisdictional thrust and parry have reduced the crown's prerogatives. Elizabeth II, though ostensibly sovereign over everything and everyone British, may not publicly express any political sentiment, nor refuse to sign any bill of Parliament, even though it should require the abolition of monarchy. Yet what the crown has given up in authority, it has gained in public affection. Said Sir Winston Churchill last week: "A great battle is lost; Parliament turns out the government. A great battle is won; crowds cheer the Queen."

In their 27-year-old Queen, who is handsome, courageous and commonsensical, Britons see reflected the best in their national character. In her husband and children they see upheld the decency of family life which they cherish. The pageantry surrounding them makes this year's drabness bright with the memories of yesteryear; her person alone makes a tiny island the center of a worldwide Commonwealth.

Nineteenth century British liberals agreed more often than not with free-thinking John Thelwall, who blew the froth off his beer and said: "So would I treat all kings." The majority of 20th century Socialists are more apt to raise their pints in ancient and loyal homage. The change has come about because British monarchs, since Victoria, have learned to express and affect what modern men call "the aspirations of the collective subconscious." Historian Walter Bagehot thought a better name was "magic," and held that too much light should not be let in on it. For the heart of the monarchy is mysticism; its sanctity is its life. Another mystical belief, that of a Britannic Renaissance, seized the coronation crowds. Wrote Poet Laureate John Masefield:

May this old land revive and be

Again a star set in the sea,

A Kingdom fit for such as She

With glories yet undreamt.

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