The Press MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1962. First 10 Years Of Reign

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29739, 5 February 1962, Page 12

The Press MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1962. First 10 Years Of Reign

Tomorrow Queen Elizabeth begins the second decade of her reign. As an example to her subjects, as an ambassador, as the ornament and centre of great ceremonial occasions, the Queen has demonstrated with increasing sureness over the last 10 years what an active force the British monarchy can be. The Queen inherited a strong position. King George V was reportedly astonished at the popular acclaim attending his accession Both he and King George VI won not merely respect and awe for the Crown but widespread devotion and persona) affection. This new position makes unprecedented demands on the personality and energy of the Queen, for she has to convey a double imager that of the unique personification of the State, a symbol of unity and patriotism, and that of an ordinary person.

In an increasingly materialistic society heroworship is natural; and the mystique and splendour of the monarchy make it an object of curiosity and admiration. Only a few generations ago criticism of the monarch was not unusual. But the furore of popular resentment against those who in recent years have published criticisms has in itself been an answer to the critics of the effectiveness of the Queen’s influence and esteem among her subjects. Increasing expertise in palace public relations, the growing audience of television on Royal occasions, and broadcasts by the Queen herself have done much to create a more exact impression of the Queen as a person—a valuable corrective to the highly competitive and often banal reporting of the whole Royal family by some journals. And through her tours Commonwealth people have become increasingly aware of her charm and sincerity, her concern for and knowledge of their affairs, and

her conscientiousness. In all this Prince Philip has supported and complemented her with his unusual abilities, his geniality, and his occasional unorthodoxy.

The role of ambassador has been enlarged during her reign. The Queen has spoken in capitals all over the world and in the General Assembly of the United Nations; she has been host to scores of foreign and Commonwealth guests in London. Significant changes in the Royal household have been made, partly in response to ths increasing demands for appearances and tours by members of the Royal family. The education of the Queen’s children is following a very different course from her own. There have been signs of adjustment to a more egalitarian society—such as the abolition of Palace presentation parties. The great achievement of Queen Elizabeth has been to widen the appeal of the monarchy in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and even in foreign countries, without diminishing its essential distance from ordinary men. People at once want and resent government, simultaneously desire leadership and oppose control. The constitutional monarchy supplies the object of their its ministers aw servants often have to be the objects of resentment and criticism. In spite of shifting but surviving social divisions in Britain and other Commonwealth countries and sometimes wounding political rifts, the result is a cohesion, now characteristic of Britain but hardly conceivable in other States. As symbol of this national and Commonwealth unity, the Queen inherited and has notably fulfilled a difficult trust. Her subjects can only be grateful for the admirable example she has set in national and family life.