Who’s on the balcony?
There is a reason why this seemingly random question intrigues royal observers whenever a major event focuses public focus on the royal family.
And perhaps not until the next few days, when Queen Elizabeth celebrates her platinum jubilee and 70 years as monarch.
Today’s appearance of members of the royal family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in London, and perhaps another appearance later during the long Jubilee weekend, offer subtle cues about the future of the monarchy, though so much attention is focused on the 96-year-old Queen and her seven unprecedented decades on the throne.
“It’s a remarkable title and success for the Queen, but it shows that … no one is immortal,” said David Johnson, a political science professor at Cape Breton University in Nova Scotia, in an interview.
“We see that … the queen is slowing down.”
Balcony scenes like this during Queen Elizabeth’s diamond jubilee in 2012 can telegraph messages about how the royal family sees the future of the monarchy’s evolution. In this case, he focused on the highest royal, from the left, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Prince Charles; Queen Elizabeth; Prince William; Kate, Duchess of Cambridge; and Prince Harry. (Lefteris Pitarakis / The Associated Press)
Preparing for the next reign
With today’s appearance on the balcony limited to senior members of the working royal family, neither Prince Andrew nor Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, there is another reminder of what many see as a sign of ‘a thin monarchy favored by the queen’s heir. , his eldest son, Prince Charles.
Johnson also sees clues to the future in the way the Jubilee is being marked beyond the festivities taking to the streets of London over the next few days.
- WATCH – CBC News Special: The Queen’s Jubilee, Trooping the Color, June 2, 5 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET on CBC-TV, CBC News Network, and CBC Gem
“Some of the events, even in Canada, encouraging people to plant trees and plant jubilee gardens, get involved with nature, are all interests of the Prince of Wales,” said Johnson, author of Battle Royal: Monarchists vs. Republicans and the Crown of Canada.
“The Jubilee itself will highlight both the Queen and some of the deepest social concerns and social interests that the Queen and her eldest son have.”
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles pose for a portrait in the garden of Frogmore House on March 23, 2021 in Windsor, England. (Chris Jackson / Getty Images / The Associated Press)
As much as the Queen is slowing down and other members of the royal family are taking on more than she did before, it makes no sense for her to be in any way detached from what is happening in the House of Windsor.
“Try to orchestrate what comes next,” John Fraser, author of The Secret of the Crown: Canada’s Affair with Royalty, said in an interview.
“She’s been very cunning. She’s made decisions … she made the decision for Camilla to be the queen consort. She’s preparing us all for that,” said Fraser, founding president and member of the Institute for Study. of the Crown in Canada.
‘A different time’
What will be “this” is a matter of interest and debate, which comes as it does at a time of wider recognition of society with our past and our institutions.
“Elizabeth represents such a specific period of time, such a specific mentality, and the world has evolved and changed so much, that this 70th anniversary seems to be more than the celebration of her reign, but perhaps also the step forward. [to] other things, ”said Toronto playwright Marcia Johnson, whose play Serving Elizabeth tells the story of Mercy, a staunch anti-monarchist who is hired to care for Elizabeth when she travels to Kenya in 1952 and learns that ‘has become queen.
“It’s hard to imagine Charles and William; they seem to be in this modern world and [Elizabeth] it represents … a different era, “Johnson said.
“If ever there was a time to say goodbye, that was interesting and now we no longer have the monarchy, I think that would be the time to end it.”
- WATCH – CBC News Special: The Queen’s Jubilee, A Service of Thanksgiving, June 3, 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET on CBC-TV, CBC News Network, and CBC Gem.
Born in Jamaica, Johnson was inspired to write his play in an episode of the Netflix drama The Crown, which also explored Elizabeth’s journey when she learned that her father, King George VI, had died.
“What I was saying to Serving Elizabeth was that it is not a fairy tale and that we could be postcolonial, but there are many people and countries that are still suffering the consequences of British rule.”
In the performance of Serving Elizabeth at the Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, in 2021, Arlene Duncan, left, played Mercy, a cook hired to attend the 1952 royal visit to Kenya by Princess Elizabeth. played by Sara. Topham, sure. (David Hou / Stratford Festival)
Now, as the events of the Jubilee unfold, Johnson is interested in seeing how the news will be reported and how it relates to the future of the monarchy.
“I have nothing against Elizabeth, but it’s not the only story,” Johnson said. “She represents so much more and we in the world are apparently opening our eyes to … our history and we are tackling things and trying to correct, so this is a perfect opportunity to say yes, look what you have achieved, but it is the time to rethink these things.
“Should they be paid what they are paid? They should return some of the land they have, you know? Just think about it. I don’t think it has to come from a petty place. It’s just the facts.”
Numerous members of the royal family have often joined Queen Elizabeth on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, as they did here for Trooping the Color in June 2019, but this scene will not take place on Thursday, as the appearance from the balcony is limited to high-level working members. and their children. (Hannah Mckay / Reuters)
A slim future?
Fraser says people are “looking everywhere” for clues as to what the future of the monarchy may look like.
“They are coming fast and furious. The fact that Prince Charles has read the [U.K] speech from the throne … I would be very surprised if this queen made another speech from the throne, “he said.
“We will see a good example in this platinum jubilee of things to come in the next two years. I fully hope that the queen will make her century if not more, but she will continue to step back and Charles will continue to move forward.”
Beyond that, there is a feeling that Prince Charles will focus his reign on a smaller basic group of members of the royal family to carry out the work functions within the House of Windsor.
“We know Charles wants a reduced version, so there won’t be too many roles for Princess Eugenia, this crowd. [of royals further down in the line of succession] it will drift except on some of the big occasions, “Fraser said.
Johnson, a professor of political science, predicts that the traditions of the monarchy will continue.
Prince Charles reads the Queen’s speech during the opening of the British Parliament in London on May 10, 2022. (Ben Stansall / The Associated Press)
“The more than 1,000-year-old institution, the key roles, will continue,” he said, suggesting that the philanthropic role of the monarchy will also be maintained, but with a change of priority.
“You’ll see a lot more focus on environmental issues, interests that are close and dear to Charles’ heart that go back 20, 30 or 40 years, ”he said.
He also predicts in Canada that the monarchy will survive the transition to the next reign. But he sees another question: will it prosper?
“This is a challenge.”