Queen Rania of Jordan once said, "In drawing up our national strategy, we have to be sensitive to our traditions, values, and culture." This statement certainly applies to the United Kingdom as well. The monarchy is a huge part of Britain's traditions, values, and culture. It is an integral part in the balance of old and new. To ignore this fact would be to dismiss the island nation's important attributes and historical roots.

What Monarchy Means

The monarchy has been a permanent fixture in Britain for over a thousand years. It is celebrated as a solid foundation on which we can rely. The Royal Family, with its duties, traditional ceremonies and pageantry does so much for morale! It brings together people from all walks of life, united in pride for a magnificent Queen. She and her institution are above politics, and can therefore embrace a wide range of people. Her Majesty and her family are real people, and go out among their subjects not as some campaign personality, but as themselves.

A royal person as head of state does a lot of good for the nation's prestige and standing. As the Queen has proved, being trained from birth to respect tradition and fullfill one's duties to the nation is honorable. The people love and admire her for her devotion, and feel pride at having a knowlegable, hard-working head of state.

Providing successors who do the same is also a secure way of maintaining the country's well-being. Monarchs build on the achievements of their predecessors, and at the same time make sure they provide their own heirs with proper training and guidance.Trained to be a head of state all their life, there is no question that the eventual successor would be most experienced. And the longer they actually reign, the more firsthand experience will come. And the preparation of the heir is not for a singular task or vested interest - the training encompasses all aspects of the kingdom.

Addressing The Critics

Many people think that being pro-monarchy automatically means anti-progress. That monarchists are either antiquated, elitist, or merely wistful of times past. This is not so. Many monarchists and staunch supporters of the British Royal Family are progressive, intelligent, and open-minded people. We feel that Monarchy represents the best of what our culture has: belief in God, tradition, patriotism, and family. We wholeheartedly support these ideals, and Her Majesty who upholds them. These values are what will make progress, not deter it.

Many monarchists know that there are always two sides to an issue, and address criticisms honestly and openly. We recognize that the monarchy must adapt in certain ways for its ever-changing society, and monarchy supporters must help with the adaptation. We must see to it that our royal family serves the nation in the best way possible, yet stay rooted in the ways that have served the country well for many years.

It is my hope that the Monarchy of Britain shall continue to prosper. We as monarchists will continue to preserve and celebrate the Queen's lifelong work and the Monarchy's vital role in this world.