God Save the Queen

Patriotism in Lambeth

Look.  I'm no royalist or at least I didn't used to be.  I was born American.  I was brought up with the slogans of the Revolution "No taxation without representation," "All men are created equal" (except for the gay ones) and the idea that God doesn't pick leaders, the people do - unless you're the Pope or a Republican Party candidate.  Always seems to be loopholes...

Becoming a New Zealander nudged me slightly to the royalist side, because Elizabeth II is the Queen of New Zealand.  So, you have to accept that, but there's not a lot of contact between the Monarchy and it's most distant realm.  To a degree, New Zealand has moved on.  New Zealand's not becoming a republic any time soon, but royal visits to New Zealand don't draw the crowds they once did.  And, I've never been one to stand for hours waiting for The Queen to drive by.

All that said, propaganda works.

Since Rob and I arrived in London, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee has been a hot topic.  The Queen's been in the news almost daily whether it's the launching of the Royal Barge, the closing of all the Thames bridges or her latest visit to this little town or that London suburb on her Jubilee tour.