The right queen for all her times

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In 1947, Elizabeth was not yet the monarch, but it was clear even then that hers was to be a life of duty and devotion to the people of the British Commonwealth. "My whole life," the future Queen said in a broadcast from South Africa, "whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family."

Well, her life has been long and she has well and faithfully lived up to the commitments she made as a young princess.

Today, the Queen marks the 60th year of her reign, making her the second longest-serving monarch in British history after Victoria, who ruled for nearly 64 years.

Unlike Victoria, however, whose reign ended at the peak of British power, Elizabeth assumed the throne just as the sun was beginning to set on the empire. In 1952, Britain was permanently weakened as a result of the devastating effects of two world wars and the bonds of empire had already started to unravel.

The Queen, however, was not a reactionary. She understood that times had changed and that the mother country needed to develop new relationships with its former colonies and dominions. She ruled over this process with grace and dignity, accepting the will of the people to choose their own courses.

In 1982, she came to Canada to sign the Constitution Act, which patriated the Canadian constitution and effectively severed the last legal link with the British Parliament, even though the British monarch remained the head of state.

Nor is she an idle or absentee monarch. Observers have frequently commented on her attention to detail and the extensive research she conducts on matters affecting the Commonwealth.

Former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, for example, said he was impressed with her knowledge of Canada's constitutional arrangements and, in particular, with her support for increasing the country's legal independence.

She has travelled widely in her 60 years, including numerous trips to Canada, which she calls her "second home."

Manitobans who have met the Queen, who has visited here six times, describe her as a charming, confident and benevolent matriarchal figure. She is genuinely interested in the people she meets and the history of the places she visits.

Support for her reign in the 16 countries where she is the constitutional monarch remains strong, partly out of tradition, but also because of the strength of her character and her devotion to duty.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 6, 2012 A10