The Royal Family and Britains Armed Services - Essay Example

The British Royal Family 23-10 The British Royal Family Outline: British sovereign authority flows through the Royal Family. The members of the British Royal Family are close relatives of the United Kingdom’s monarch. The Queen is the Head of the association of 53 independent countries known as the Commonwealth. In modern England, the British Royal Family performs ceremonial and social duties both inside and outside England. The Queen is regarded as the Head of the State and her presence is vital in Royal events and ceremonies both on national and international levels. The Queen Elizabeth II alone is the patron of 600 charity organizations. Many members of the Royal Family are engaged in official relations with Force Units. The Queen promotes national unity and support overseas economic and diplomatic ties. Introduction: The grandeur of the British Royal Family continues to fascinate people around the world. Regardless of the fact that the Royal Family is a burden on the national treasury, as British citizens have to pay an exorbitant cost for their maintenance, no one in England has the power to abolish the British Crown. Such is the power and the influence of the Royal Family. One of the primary reasons why no one has the authority to overthrow the monarchy is the fact that the British system has evolved in such a way that its sovereign authority flows through the Royal Family. The members of the British Royal Family are close relatives of the United Kingdom’s monarch. The Queen and the other members of the British Royal Family conduct their activities in strict accordance with the British Law. In overseas British territories, Governors, Commissioners and Administrators, represent the Queen and the other members of the British Royal family. The Queen is the Head of the association of 53 independent countries known as the Commonwealth. Moreover, 15 Commonwealth Realms have the Queen as the Head of State. (PERKIN, L.1992). Role and Effectiveness of the Royal Family: The picture perfect Royal Family displays an immaculate attitude which is vital for earning respect from the Britain citizens and this is the very reason why The Queen and her family members exhibit a royalty behavior. It is absolutely essential to behave aristocratically in an effort to earn national and international respect. The effectiveness of the Royal Family is mirrored by the fact that if the Royal members bring shame to themselves, then inevitably the respect for Britain and its citizens would diminish worldwide. Through out the British history, the monarch has been represented by the Royal Family members in many ways including as viceroys. In modern England, the British Royal Family performs ceremonial and social duties both inside and outside England. (RABLEY, S.1990). Apart from these duties, the Royal Family has no substantial role in the constitutional matters of England. The primary objective of the Royal Family members is to support The Queen in carrying out numerous duties for the State and attending important charitable and public services. Over the years, the impeccable and influential attitude of The Queen has played an important role in strengthening national unity. Moreover, The Queen together with the members of her family performs essential roles for national stability of Britain. The Queen’s children and their spouses are responsible to undertake official duties. On the other hand, the younger members of The Queen’s family are not burdened with the responsibilities of performing official duties but are trained to represent the Royal Family on official events, State events and important commemorations. (Macmillan 1991). According to the official list in the Court Circular, the Monarch and other Commonwealth Realms conduct more than 2000 official events each year, both in the UK and around the world. The Queen is regarded as the Head of the State and her presence is vital in Royal events and ceremonies both on national and international levels. Occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament and Garter Day, reflect the traditions and culture of Britain and its citizens. The participation of The Queen and other members of the Royal Family are vital in order to truly reflect British symbolism, tradition and culture. Official State responsibilities conducted abroad are attended by members of the Royal Family, apart from the Queen. Thus, the role of Royal Family in solidifying international relations is quite important. By far, the most important role of The Queen is the instillation of the sense of national unity in the citizens of England, thus the Royal Family’s role in uniting England as one is of chief importance. (MORTON, A.1989). During an Investiture, British citizens are presented with their honors by the Prince of Wales or the Princess Royal. Furthermore, during State banquets, garden parties and official receptions, the members of the Royal Family are called upon to help The Queen in welcoming her guests. In accordance with various authentic sources, each year more than 70,000 people from all over the world are entertained by the Queen and her family members at the Royal Residences. Another important job of the members of the Royal Family is to answer important letters received by them from all over the world. Each year, the Royal Family approximately answers 100,000 letters. On the other hand, the Queen is represented by the members of the British Royal Family in ceremonies and events conducted overseas in Commonwealth and other countries. Such overseas events are immensely important for maintaining and strengthening diplomatic and economic relations. This shows that the Royal Family plays a very important role in sovereignty and economical development of England. Apart from representing Britain, the Royal Family actively participates in supporting the general public and a large number of charity organizations. (PROCHASKA et al 2008). It is estimated that more than 3,000 organizations have at least one member of the Royal Family as their president or a patron. The Queen Elizabeth II alone is the patron of 600 charity organizations. These organizations span diverse sectors including education, health care and employment. The Royal Family is involved in the development of a wide spectrum of sectors in an effort to meet the needs, interests and to resolve the problems and concerns of the British citizens. Some members of the Royal Family have established their own charity organizations for the welfare of underprivileged British citizens. Such Charity organizations include The Prince’s Trust, The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. Therefore, the Royal Family performs a vital role in welfare of the general public of Britain. (REDHEAD 2007). Another important role of the Royal Family is their contribution to the Britain’s Armed Services. Many members of the Royal Family are engaged in official relations with Force Units. Many soldiers, airmen and sailors serving in England and overseas are honored by visits from the members of the Royal Family. This shows the depth of the Family’s engagement with the citizens of Britain. The Queen and her Family play an essential role in Britain’s solidarity and strengthening of the essence of national unity. The national unity is solidified through the appreciation, recognition and participation in community events such as commemorations and inaugurations of a wide spectrum of events. (HAINES et al 1984). The Queen’s invitation to the vast number of State and national events makes it impossible for her to attend every occasion and this is where the support of the members of the British Royal Family comes in or else most of these occasions would have to be turned down. The Queen plays an important official religious role because she is the Supreme Governor of the established Church of England. Moreover, the Council of Christians and Jews has been honored with the privilege of receiving The Queen’s patronage. The Queen and her Family are viewed with fascination all around the world and this depiction has been the major reason for the aristocratic image of Britain around the world. The Royal Family is respected around the world for their immaculate attitude and display of discipline and responsibility, which has been tremendously important in molding international opinions about England. The crux and the very essence of the Royal Family’s effectiveness lies in the fact that they manage to manipulate and influence the citizens of England and people around the world without having a say in the drawing up of foreign or national policies of Britain. (HOLDEN, A.1983). References: PERKIN, L. (1992). The British royal family. Cambridge, Maxim Folio. RABLEY, S. (1990). The British royal family. London, Macmillan. (MORTON, A. (1989). Theirs is the kingdom: the wealth of the British royal family. New York, Summit Books. (1991). The British Royal Family. London, Macmillan. PROCHASKA, F. K. (2008). The eagle and the crown: Americans and the British monarchy. New Haven [Conn.], Yale University Press. REDHEAD, M. (2007). The monarchy an inside look at the public and private lives of the British Royal Family. West Long Branch, NJ, Distributed by Kultur International. HAINES, S., & HAINES, V. (1984). Spotlight on the British royal family. London, Cassell. HOLDEN, A. (1983). The British royal family: great front pages. New York, Vendome Press. Read More