Macron was right to say that while Queen Elizabeth was our Queen, to the world she was The Queen. That this became so wasn’t inevitable. How and why did it happen?
In these days of her Platinum Jubilee, we give thanks both local and ceremonial for her faithful service to her people.
And there is an even stronger motive: the fear that the magic of the Prime Minister could deliver another Tory general election victory too.
Those in power seem to actively dislike the culture which has made Britain’s forces globally respected.
Furthermore, they should be more proactive in defending the financial interests of their members.
Thoughtful, polite and Left-of-Centre, he was the Eurosceptic whom federalists found it hardest to dislike.
The Prime Minister described, with relish, Prince Philip’s ability to drive “a coach and horses through the finer points of diplomatic protocol”.
“He put his life towards ensuring the success of his wife…may he rest in peace and rise in glory”.
“He’s been there – a symbol of the nation we hope to be at our best. A source of stability. A rock.”
A “unique and idiosynchratic silhouette” – the Duke’s work in designing his funeral vehicle is compared to his work in modernising the monarchy.
“He was, without doubt, the father of the nation. He will surely be missed and impossible to replace.”
Bagehot’s purely dignified role for the monarchy only works if tireless duty and service are at its heart – as in this case.
If he isn’t the sort of person we should be erecting statues to, then it’s time to do away with statues altogether.
Party, media and online dynamics create incentives to reinforce the ‘them and us’ perspectives of one 40 per cent coalition or another. Reaching out for common ground can be risky.