Growing up in the UK, the Queen and the Royal Family were a part of the culture that we grew up in. We heard about their happenings, spoke about their etiquette and manners and heard when someone got engaged or something dramatic happened.
Yet perhaps more than anything else, the Queen represented a woman of values and morals, whose dignified poise and leadership, along with her dedication and commitment to her people, brought her respect from the British people and indeed so many around the world.
Once as a young boy, my mother took my siblings and myself on a trip to the Royal Tournament, which was a huge military show that included marching bands, military stunts, and lots more things that a young boy like myself loved. Every night, a member of the Royal Family was a guest in a special stage and on that particular night, it was the Queen herself who was the Royal Guest, along with Prince Philip.
At first we saw her enter from afar and the crowd stood up as we sang "G-d Save the Queen", and a little later when the event was over, as we stood outside we heard that the Queen would be coming. Sure enough, her royal procession suddenly appeared driving ever so slowly, as she gave her wave to the crowds, We were probably just a few feet away from her at the time, and it was a moment I will always remember.
At the time, we said a special blessing that was instituted thousands of years ago, which is said upon seeing a King or a Queen. It was the one and only time in my life that I was able to say that blessing and understand what it means when it says that "G-d has shared some of his honor with flesh and blood" (שֶׁנָּתַן מִכְּבוֹדוֹ לְבָשָׂר וָדָם:).
A few years ago, the Queen honored Rabbi Nachman Sudak, the Rabbi of the community that I grew up in (who has since passed away). Rabbi Sudak was beloved by our community and by so many others across the UK and the Queen honored him with an OBE for his work on behalf of the community.
While the Queen had her protocol which was to be adhered to by all visitors and people who she honored, she showed tremendous sensitivity, when she respected his religious wishes and gave a gentle bow to conclude the conversation, instead of the regular handshake which was standard for everyone else.
It is a very small nuance, but one that shows the sensitivity of the Queen to the customs and traditions of all of the people that she tried to engage with. At a time when people crave moral and dignified leadership, the Queen set a standard of morality, sensitivity and consistency that will hopefully inspire many of today's leaders.
In last week's Torah Portion we spoke of the Mitzvah of what a Jewish Monarch should be like. They had special Mitzvos just for them, including restrictions and a Mitzvah to have a Torah Scroll with them at all times which they could study from. They more than many others, were at risk of power corrupting their behavior and attitudes, and thus had to go the extra mile to stay humble and remember that they too are here to serve G-d and his creations.
In the 20th and 21st Century when so many corrupt leaders brought wars and divisiveness to so many place, the Queen stood out as someone different. May G-d bless King Charles to continue on representing the Monarchy in good stead, so that he may use this position to help mankind and humanity wherever they are.
You can read more about the Jewish Community of England's reaction over here and here to read an article I wrote a few years ago.
Good Shabbos & Shabbat Shalom
Yisroel