A Queen fit for a crown

When Princess Elizabeth was born in 1926 no one knew she would one day be Queen. Yet this week she became Britain's oldest-ever monarch.

No one could have foreseen the abdication of Edward VIII in 1936 which led to her father's coronation as George VI - nor George's early death in 1952 which led such a young princess to ascend the throne as Queen Elizabeth II.

But while she may not have been born to the role, our Queen has been and remains an impeccable and inspirational head of state. Not only in the UK, but also in 15 other realms.

As head of the Commonwealth she retains a special place in the hearts of millions who live beyond these shores, which was amply demonstrated earlier this year when she went to the Commonwealth summit in Uganda.

I was only three years old when the Queen was crowned. The music composed for her Coronation service, Sir Hubert Parry's I Was Glad, remains one my own favourites and was used during my installation in Birmingham Cathedral in 2002 and at York Minster two years ago.

I remember as a young boy gathering together with my family around the radio on Christmas Day to listen to the Queen's Christmas message. It is a tradition that has lived on in our household, along with those of so many others.

So this year, as in years before, after a good Christmas lunch I will gather with my family around the television at 3pm. The Queen shares with her late father a deep Christian faith that has sustained and guided her throughout her reign. That faith is a golden thread deeply interwoven through her duties and her fulfilment of them.

As one of only five kings or queens since the Norman Conquest in 1066 to reign for more than half a century, her ability as a head of state to represent and unite a country in times of celebration or crisis grows with each year.

Her reign is a continuing rebuff and rebuttal to those who would call for a republic. A spokesperson for an anti-monarchist group this week said: "It would be in her interests and those of the country if she stepped down and enjoyed a peaceful retirement."

What nonsense! The Queen represents one of the things that is best about Britain. Our country's tendency to magnanimity over intolerance, fair play over foul and openness to change are all reflected in our monarch, who combines such characteristics with a wisdom and experience that has overseen 10 Prime Ministers and six Archbishops of Canterbury.

Now I look forward to joining in the celebrations to come on September 9, 2015 when Elizabeth will surely overtake the record of Queen Victoria - who ruled for almost 64 years before she died aged 81 - and become the longest-reigning monarch in our history.