Regalia

We were barely into clean-up when the fireworks celebrating 2020 culminated in a roar. On January 8, 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced that they were stepping down as active members of the Royal family and seeking a change of venue in unspecified “North America”. Racism and incessant media vitriol against Megan were cited as the reason for what the Press immediately dubbed “Megxit”. The unilateral decision completely blindsided everyone, catching England, the British Press, Monarchists, and indeed, the entire Royal Family itself completely off guard. Without so much as a heads-up to the Queen (his 93-year-old granny) or father (Heir Presumptive) or even his beloved brother, they released the irrevocable statement through their personal sussexroyal.com account, a sign of the times.

Imperial reaction was swift and remarkably restrained, considering the reverberation of open disrespect that shuttered through Buckingham. After an emergency family enclave, the Queen issued an unprecedented, informal, first-person statement of affection which greatly calmed collective outrage. Days later however, the Throne fired back; politely, decisively, and dispassionately stripping them of their HRH titles and royal coffers. Harry was further divested of his military status and ties to all royal patronages. They even have to re-imburse the three-million dollar renovation costs of Frogmore Cottage before the paint is fully dry. All hopes for a half-in, half-out compromise were emphatically vetoed.

It’s not that I don’t have sympathy for the sharp bias between modern sensibilities and ancient institutions. Aren’t our hearts etched with invested compassion since the travesty of Diana’s death? But sweet prince, if you will insist on bringing a non-Commonweath, heavily baggaged, Hollywood-ed Wallace Simpson of a bride to test the devotion of your family, (while she is utterly estranged from her own), please tell me how you thought this would turn out well? Granted, the British Press are a pack of vicious hyenas, but you gave far too much fodder to begin with.

I’m sounding like an old woman, and that’s because something I’ve heard them say many times comes to mind. “Beauty is, as Beauty does”; an old proverb that captures in brevity the disparity between what you’re given and how you act. Or, in this case, “Royalty is, as Royalty does”. Contrary to ancient lines of primogeniture, kings are made, not born. We saw it in the abdication of Edward VIII, and it’s still every bit as shocking. Not even you, Duke of Sussex, can have it all.

It may seem like we’re watching, as I mentioned last week, the drama of Olympus unfolding from our lowly peasant vantage. Actually, we are not. Scripture points out repeatedly that we are gods (small g). We always had the status of being ‘sons of God’ and formed in His image, a privilege we sadly forfeited but which has now has been re-instated by Jesus, the Son of God.

I said, “You are gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. But you shall die like men, And fall like one of the princes.” Psalm 82:6-7

And they sang a new song, saying:

“You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light…

1 Peter 2:17

We are royalty. We have been redeemed; pulled up from the prison to the palace. Weighty regal mantles of righteousness are laid upon our shoulders. Coronation days are imminent! Crowns, orbs, scepters and dominions lay within our grasp; authority, influence and power at our right hand. We are the standard-bearers of majesty to the next generation. What are we doing with this exclusive privilege? The tide of the Nations rests upon our choices, upon our prayers. To whom much is given, much is required.

In Queen Elizabeth II, we see a regent who has devoted sixty-five years of her life to serving both her country, her husband and her family with exemplary integrity. Has she always gotten it right? No, but she’s tried, often at great personal cost, which is why the legacy of her faithfulness stands as such a contrasting foil to current events. Here, at changing of the guard, pivotal decisions are being made. O Lord! Help us all to walk honorably and respectfully under the watchful gaze of the King of kings.

The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord; And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice! Psalm 21:1

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