Her late Majesty served as monarch for the most extended period in British history—70 years and 214 days—and served as a role model for consistency and unwavering dedication to the people of the UK, the Commonwealth, and the rest of the world. She came to the throne as the British Empire ended and was buried as war broke out in Europe and the UK started a new chapter in its international relations outside of the EU. Many people found comfort in her constant presence during years of upsetting social and political change. She was regarded as one of the most powerful symbols of British diplomacy and was addressed simply as “The Queen” outside of her official spheres.
Queen Elizabeth was a reliable confidante in the eyes of her Prime Ministers. She did not express her opinions on political issues, but several former prime ministers attested to the insightful counsel she provided them during their weekly meetings. Some of them noted that their meetings were the only times they could ensure confidentiality, so they knew they could rely on her discretion. She could benefit from her extensive experience with political affairs and frequent acquaintance with several generations of foreign leaders, especially in her later years. As a constitutional monarch with limited political authority, the Queen had an unquantifiable but undeniable background influence.
Reign in Diplomacy
The Queen supported the work of the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office both at home and abroad in her capacity as Head of State, playing a crucial role in UK diplomacy. The Queen and other members of the Royal Family hosted the annual Diplomatic Reception in the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace, where they welcomed more than 500 members of the diplomatic corps. The Queen maintained regular contact with officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), representing British interests abroad and fostering diplomatic relations with other countries. The FCDO recommends which foreign heads of state should be invited to the United Kingdom for State Visits. The Queen and the Royal Family were/are in charge of welcoming the Head of State and their party with a ceremonial arrival and a State Banquet.
Queen Elizabeth II served as Britain’s lead ambassador, visiting 117 countries and hosting numerous high-level visitors. Power is essential in global politics. Soft power, or the power of attraction, is an important foreign policy tool, as political scientist Joseph S. Nye famously stated. The Queen and the Royal Family have played critical roles in ensuring the nation’s relevance. While the monarchy is known for its mystique, Britain’s soft power and outsized relevance as a significant player in global affairs are due in no small part to Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip. Her unique position, experience, and skill enabled her to strengthen strong friendships and emphasise long-term relationships with countries and peoples, even when politics became difficult. These distinct abilities contributed significantly to the UK’s “soft power,” allowing the country to frequently “punch above its weight” diplomatically.
The Queen’s diplomacy undoubtedly influenced transatlantic relations at critical junctures. Margaret Thatcher’s friendly relationship with Ronald Reagan didn’t hurt her bid to gain US support for her campaign in the Falkland Islands. Furthermore, by extending only the second invitation to a State Visit to Barack Obama in 2011, the Queen laid the groundwork for an amicable US welcome for then-Prime Minister David Cameron in 2012. During Queen Elizabeth II’s reign as Commonwealth Head, she witnessed gravitational shifts in many of the Commonwealth’s member states and a widespread movement toward independence. She was only 14 years old when she died as Head of State. However, the Commonwealth survived the transition to independence, and the Queen, as its Head, did much to protect and nurture the Commonwealth family, to the point where some of its now 54 members chose to join despite having never been subject to British rule. Her late majesty visited every Commonwealth country except two, making nearly 200 trips worldwide.
Without a doubt, Queen Elizabeth II travelled more than any other head of state. She had a reputation for taking on demanding intercontinental tours until her later years, which included the 1952 tour where she attained monarchy. By 2019, she had also welcomed numerous high-level diplomatic visits and 112 state visits. State visits have actual political and economic consequences rather than merely ceremonial show business, as a growing body of literature demonstrates. Public diplomacy of this kind can change public opinion, increase other leaders’ terms in office, and enhance bilateral trade.
Diplomatic Visits
For example, in the 1970s, British officials had to balance the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s desire to host Soviet Premier Leonid Brezhnev for a state visit to Britain with the queen’s reluctance to visit the Soviet Union. Indeed, the queen did not visit Russia until 1994, several years after the Cold War ended. That visit was deemed a huge success for British foreign policy, largely thanks to the queen’s efforts to establish a warm rapport with Russian President Boris Yeltsin. The Queen was instrumental in arranging the visit to South Africa in 1995, just a year after elections inaugurated the country’s new democratic government. According to biographer Robert Hardman, who quotes former Royal Yacht Britannia commander Sir Robert Woodard, “the Foreign Secretary was concerned [about the visit], and the Queen overruled him.” ‘Mr. Mandela is getting advice from many people, but no one is helping him,’ she said. He requires physical assistance as well as entertainment.
In 2011, The Queen paid an unprecedented state visit to Ireland. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron later stated that his government’s efforts to improve relations with Ireland “were nothing compared to the brave gesture that was the Queen’s groundbreaking visit to the Republic in 2011.” Cameron’s memoirs also mention the queen as a factor in his ability to work with the US during his time as prime minister: But it was the Queen whom I needed to thank. Except for Lyndon Johnson, she has met every US president who has served during her reign — a quarter of all presidents in history. Only two presidents have had the honour of an entire state visit to the United Kingdom: George W. Bush and Barack Obama. When Barack and Michelle arrived in May 2011, they loved it, and I knew how much of that was due to their friendship with our president. The success of their London trip, I felt, contributed significantly to the warmth of my March 2012 visit to Washington.
Diplomatic Audiences during the Queen’s role in Diplomacy
At any given time, there are over 170 Ambassadors and High Commissioners based in London, and each of them will have an Audience with The Queen shortly after taking up their role. High Commissioners and Ambassadors perform the same functions: representing their country’s interests in the UK by forging diplomatic ties. The only distinction is in their titles, which indicate their country’s relationship to the Commonwealth: High Commissioners are from Commonwealth countries, whereas Ambassadors are not. Diplomatic audiences haven’t changed much since the Victorian era and still include some uniquely Royal touches. Diplomats are picked up from their embassy or residence in a state landau (a ceremonial horse-drawn carriage) and led through the streets of London by a second carriage led by the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps. Diplomats present their Letters of Credence (for Ambassadors) or Letters of High Commission at the start of the Audience (for High Commissioners). This is a formal letter from the diplomat’s Head of State to The Queen, requesting that she give ‘credence’ to the new Ambassador or High Commissioner. In other words, Her Majesty can rely on the new appointment to speak for their country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Queen’s death ended one of the world’s most active and influential diplomatic careers. Still, it also leaves an invaluable legacy for the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth, and many others. For much of her reign, she was aided in her work in the Commonwealth and worldwide by the now-King, whose international presence and connections are a significant asset.
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