The Rt Rev David Chillingworth, former Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, highlighted the Queen’s strong religious faith as he gave ‘Thought For the Day’ on BBC Radio Scotland’s flagship Good Morning Scotland programme.
The former Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane reflected on the Monarch’s 70 years of service ahead of this weekend’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The broadcast can be heard here at the 20:35 mark, and the full text appears below:
“‘I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.’
“On her 21st Birthday, 21 April 1947, the then Princess Elizabeth made that solemn vow. The voice is slightly piping – rather high-pitched – the voice of a young woman on whom the mantle of monarchy had not yet descended. This is the vow to which she has been true for her whole life.
“This Platinum Jubilee weekend is the centre-piece of the celebration of her seventy year reign as Queen. The chances of heredity and succession brought this extraordinary calling to her – her strong religious faith turned it into a sacred trust and vocation. I suspect that for her this is not a choice. It is literally a calling not to be denied.
“When I have had the opportunity of meeting her, I have found myself in the presence of a person – diminutive in stature – unexpectedly sparky and with a keen intelligence. She has lived a life of extraordinary privilege. She may at times have yearned for a simpler life.
“In ever more rapidly changing times, she has used her position to serve her people and to bring unity. She never shares her own views about current issues. But she uses the power of symbolic action and her presence to make herself a focus of unity and of the hopes of her people.
“And always – from that first broadcast in 1947 – it is her faith which has guided and sustained her. Indeed that aspect of her life seems to make itself clearer as she has grown older. In her Christmas Broadcast in 2014 she said this: ‘For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. Christ’s example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.’”
