Expert: Joseph Logue - 8/10/2005

Question
In the middle years of her reign people criticized the queen for being a recluse, not becuase they wanted a republic, but becuase they wanted a visible monarch. What are some reasons it was important for the people to have a visible monarch?

Answer
Hello Heather,

As you may or may not know, the reason for the Queen's seclusion was her overwhelming grief over the death of her husband, Prince Albert, who died December 14, 1861.  She never really stopped mourning her husband during the 39 years she out-lived him.  In fact, her daughter Alice died on December 14 also, in 1878, and this coincidence deepened her grief.  Even the birth of a great-grandson, Prince Albert of York (who became King George VI), in 1895, left her feeling that she could not quite be happy on that day.

The British were deeply saddened by the death of Prince Albert; after years of his being viewed as too foreign (he was German by birth), the people of Britain became quite fond of him.  There was also sadness felt for the Queen, who now had eight of her nine children to care for alone (the eldest, Princess Victoria, had married the future German Emperor Frederick in 1857).

Victoria's grief rendered her incapable of making public appearances, and she spent many years away from London.  While all possible considerations were made for the Queen as a young widow (she was only 42), she was still the head of state, and a much more politically powerful figure than are the monarchs of today.  It was (and is) important for people to see their monarch, because, in short, that is what she was there for.  As the focus of the national mood, as the embodiment of its history, and as the conduit for its patriotism, an absent monarch is not beneficial.  Leaders must be seen leading; without this necessary element, a vacuum can exist.  It is true that the British did not want a republic at the time, but lacking a visible, viable monarch, who else was going to lead the country?

A monarch is seen as a great stabilizing influence on the political life of a nation (a quality that is still argued about today).  While the politicians come and go, the sovereign is there for life and has pledged his or her life to the service of the nation.  If the sovereign is subsequently invisible, instability may ensue.  This is something no politician wants.  Also, there is the not unreasonable question that people may ask:  what are we paying for if we cannot see her?

It took a good many years for her various governments and advisors to coax her out of her seclusion.  I particularly liked Elizabeth Longford's biography of Victoria ("Born to Succeed", published in 1964).  The author's portrait of the Queen's long and lonely widowhood is superbly written.

Thanks very much for visiting AllExperts, Heather.  Come back soon!

Sincerely,

Joseph Logue