The Queen
Travelling as I am with so many people from the UK and the Commonwealth countries of Australia and Canada, the subject of the Queen comes up from time to time. As far as I can tell, most of them really don't give a lot of thought to the Queen, even though she's on all their money. In general the Australians and Canadians just barely acknowledge that they technically do still live under a monarchy, while the British are more conscious of having a queen but treat it as more of a quaint tradition than anything else.
As an American, hailing from the only one of these English-speaking countries that took the trouble to throw out all those royal types way back when, the whole issue confuses me a little. I think I probably speak for many from my country in viewing the queen like this:
"Oh, look at me! I have a special hat! This hat means I am in charge. It's made of precious metal and jewels, as you can see. This is because it's no ordinary hat. It's a special, magical hat, and it means whoever is wearing it is the most important and special person of all! For generations, people in my family have worn this special hat, and they were all special and important too, and everybody had to do whatever they said or else. And then they passed it on to their children, who were every bit as special and wonderful as they were."
"When I drive down the street in my coach, everybody waves and smiles and positively bursts with happiness just to see me, even if I'm not wearing the hat at the time, because they know that sometimes I do wear it, and just the thought of me in the hat fills them with admiration."
"Do you have a special hat like this one? No, you do not. You are not so special as I am, are you?"
Of course, if I actually do say this to any of the "Crown's subjects," they act all uncomfortable about it, like I'm being rude or "cheeky" or something.
Especially when I do the voice and the special dance that goes with it.
Posted by flamingbanjo at August 18, 2004 10:08 AM