This morning we woke to the history-altering news that Queen Elizabeth II had passed away at her residence in Balmoral. History-altering because with her death the second Elizabethan Age ended, and we now have a male monarch.
As a Commonwealth subject, this news brought a sense of loss as well as of confusion. Loss for a woman who has been loved and revered throughout her seventy-year reign; confusion because those of my generation have never had a King for a monarch. We have never sung, "God save our King". Our currency has never been stamped with a King's head or our passports with the King's seal.
Even just contemplating having a male monarch seems unreal. As if the world has been turned upside down. It seems impossible that we could have another monarch as gracious and lovely and respected as Queen Elizabeth. Only time will tell.
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;
For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.
1 Timothy 2:1-3, KJV
Photo credit: PRESS ASSOCIATION / Danny Lawson
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