The Opportunity Group
The Queen's Platinum Jubilee 2022
In 2022, Her Majesty the Queen will become the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service, unprecedented in British constitutional history, and only surpassed by three other monarchs:
Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein: 70 years 91 days (1858-1929) Johann II, Prince of Liechtenstein: 70 years 91 days (1858-1929) Louis XIV: 72 years, 110 days (1638 – 1715)
During Her 70-year reign, much of society and culture has changed, and the royals have influenced, followed, and created this along the way.
The Rule of Law Queen Elizabeth II not only does not need a driver’s license or passport, but she can never get arrested for going over the speed limit either. It is not only that simple law that she is exempt from, though. She can never go to jail or get sued—in fact attempting to sue her is against the law, which means the person trying to sue her can be the one to get in trouble. She is not obliged to give evidence in court or even enter a courtroom, for that matter. The queen can even decide to go rogue and kill someone or have someone killed and she will never have to see a jail cell or face execution for such a heinous act The British Freedom of Information Act was passed in 2000. Under this legislation, the government, and other organisations under the umbrella term “public organisations,” are obliged to release information on request. This is to ensure transparency of proceedings although, this is undermined by the fact that the Royal Family is exempt from it under Exemptions clause thirty-seven.
The Rule of Law Up until 2013, the succession to the English crown heavily favoured princes over princesses. What this meant was that princes were closer in line to the throne than their older sisters. However, this all changed in 2013 when the British Parliament enacted the Crown Act (2013). The act states that succession will be dissociated from the gender of those in line to the throne. This was a very empowering thing to do, and the Queen made sure that the act got passed. By so doing she championed gender equality and equality of opportunities in her country. For example, the Queen’s great-grand child Princess Charlotte (the daughter of Prince William and Kate Middleton) is closer in line to the English throne than her younger brother Prince Louis.
Influence on society When Elizabeth became queen in 1952, she became the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, are a group of fifty-four independent countries (mostly former colonies of the British Empire) that work together to promote socio-economic and cultural ties among themselves. It is estimated that the Commonwealth of Nations alone account for a third of the world’s population; majority of these countries are in Africa. As head of the Commonwealth, the Queen has been instrumental in bringing several socioeconomic benefits to those countries. For example, the Commonwealth Games, which is held every four years, is a global event that helps to promote corporation among those fiftyfour nations using the power of sports.
Decolonization of several countries Since 1952, Elizabeth has been the head of the Commonwealth, a group of countries and territories scattered across the world. Most notable of those countries were Canada, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), New Zealand, and Australia. From the early 1950s up to the 1990s, the Queen helped many of those countries in gaining independence or some sort of autonomy. This was particularly crucial in Africa, where virtually all of Britain’s colonies gained independence during her reign. In 1977, the Queen showed so much leadership during the Patriation process in Canada. The process resulted in Canada removing the sway the British Parliament had on Canadians. However, Canadians kept the Queen as the head of state.
Commonwealth Canopy initiative in 2015 Almost seventy forest conservation projects across the Commonwealth have joined the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy initiative since its launch in 2015, representing more than one hundred million trees preserved for future generations as part of the fight against deforestation. This has been continued with The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) a unique, UK-wide tree planting initiative created to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022, by inviting people to “Plant a Tree for the Jubilee." Throughout Her reign, The Queen has planted more than 1,500 trees all over the world and has spoken alongside Sir David Attenborough of the importance of trees in the Earth’s future.
Religion. The British monarch is considered the head of the Church of England, much like the Pope is the head of the Roman Catholic Church and as such, the monarch is not allowed to change religions. Since the 16th century, a British king or queen was banned from marrying a Catholic due to the historical division between British Catholics and Protestants when King Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church to form the Church of England, which became the nation’s official religion. In 2013, the law was eased up and the monarch is now allowed to marry outside their religion, even if their chosen partner is Catholic. However, the couple will not be allowed to raise their children as Catholics, since direct heirs to the throne are not allowed to be Catholic.
A few firsts The Queen first appears on a Bank of England note Royals appeared on notes from 1914 onwards, the first Bank of England note to feature the Queen’s portrait was the £1 note issued in 1960. It was followed by a ten shilling note in 1961. She was first queen to appear on notes. Some other countries have Queen Elizabeth on their currency. Canada, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, East Caribbean States, Jamaica, Turks Caicos, and the Islands of St. Martin have coins with the Queen’s image on.
Made her first radio broadcast in 1940 The Queen made her first radio broadcast in 1940 when, aged fourteen, she recorded a message of support for young people affected by the war in Europe, particularly those being evacuated from their homes, on the BBC’s Children’s Hour. She sent her first email in 1976 at the age of fifty
She can change Bank Holidays Royal Proclamation can change bank holidays. If a bank holiday is set by the legislation, the Queen can proclaim that it will be changed to a different day. If it is a bank holiday that is already made by proclamation each year, the Queen can simply proclaim it on a different day. The Queen can also proclaim extra bank holidays, so enjoy you weekend celebrations.