From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 5 June

His Majesty, King George VI, died on 6 February 1952. His daughter, The Princess Elizabeth, with her husband Prince Philip, was on route to Australia, enjoying a stop-over in South Africa.

AGED 56, The King died in his sleep at his Norfolk Sandringham Estate. The royal couple were at a safari lodge in Kenya. Uncontactable by telephone, The Princess had, unknowingly, become Queen Elizabeth II.

Descended from William the Conqueror, Queen Elizabeth was crowned, 2 June 1953, in Westminster Abbey. The subsequent six-month Commonwealth tour brought The Queen, and her husband, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, to Australia for two-months. She came as The Queen of Australia – the first time a reigning monarch had set foot on Australian soil. The excitement was palpable. The Nation ground to a halt; 75 per cent of the population turned-out to see the royal couple as they visited 57 towns and cities during the 58 days spent in Australia.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh were in Perth, March 1954. St George’s Terrace was decorated with arches topped with crowns, while globes of the world looked to be suspended, magically, in mid-air.

The sight of The Queen riding in the back of the lighted car, wearing the famous Norman Hartnell designed wattle dress and with the lights flashing-off the glittering diamond fringe tiara, was unlike anything a little white-haired boy from the goldfields had seen – ever!

Those born in the immediate, euphoric golden haze following the Second World War cannot remember a time when Elizabeth was not our Queen. We all sang, God Save The Queen. At the local picture show everyone stood, respectfully – men doffed their hats – for the film clip showing the young Queen riding to Trooping of the Colour. Boys Scouts, promised, on their honour, to do their duty to God and The Queen. England was home.

In 1947, at her coming-of-age while on tour in South Africa with her parents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother), and her sister, The Princess Margaret, she broadcast to all the peoples of The Empire. She committed her whole life – whether it be long or short – to our service. She has not failed in that solemn promise.

At her Accession, her first Prime Minster, Winston Churchill patriotically heralded the new epoch, declaring it a second Golden Elizabethan Age. While The Queen’s reign has not been without personal vicissitudes, it has been 70 glorious years – the longest of any monarch in British history.

In an age of celebrity, and social media, it has become increasingly more difficult for royalty to remain above and apart. Having let the daylight in on the magic the voracious public appetite has been whetted and runs unabated.

While much has changed, the service of The Queen has been steadfast. Like her father, to whom she was devoted, Elizabeth has championed the cause of the Commonwealth of Nations. Few things have been more important in her 70-year reign.

What the future holds for constitutional monarchy in Australia is problematic. It is, as The Queen said, a decision for the people.

Aged 96, The Queen said, recently, “We none of us live forever”; however, it is difficult to imagine the Commonwealth without her. Throughout her life, Elizabeth has been an enduring force for good – and as constant as the North Star.

For 70-years Her Majesty has been the fulcrum of our government. Republicanism notwithstanding, we should rejoice in her history-making, platinum milestone.

Long may Her Majesty continue to be.

Roland can be contacted via [email protected].