Listen Up! Reflections on the Queen | Commentary

“I declare before you all, that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service.” 

— Queen Elizabeth II – February 1952

What a statement, what a commitment and what a promise kept for over seventy years!

I am an unabashed admirer of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  In fact, when one of my sisters this week expressed the feeling that the Queen’s death was like experiencing our own mother’s death all over again, it brought tears to my eyes. Not because my mother had queen-like qualities, but because when push came to shove Queen Elizabeth’s greatest strengths were being a compassionate, caring, and determined woman.  

I have had the privilege of being in the Queen’s presence twice. Once was at a State Dinner hosted by Ontario Premier Frank Miller and again at a Royal Performance at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto, where, as a Governor of RTH, I was seated near her and her husband, followed by a reception. I also saw her when I was a very young boy, and she was a princess.  These are occasions I shall never forget. 

I was in Grade Three when King George the sixth died. I still remember the headline in the Toronto Telegram. “THE KING IS DEAD. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN.”

I also remember in Grade Four, our teacher, Mr. McLeod, telling us to follow the year-long coronation celebrations closely, as it may never happen in our lifetimes again. To many, I suppose, that became fact.  And yet now, for me, more than 70 years later, here we are again. 

Ten years ago, I was honoured, amongst many others, to be a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal. While I treasure it, I have never worn it. That is until last Thursday, the day the Queen died. I had been invited to a public event that evening. I felt a need to wear that medal to show affection, respect, and sorrow for the Queen.  So, I did just that and when I came home I put the medal away and will likely never wear it again. 

The Queen’s death marks the end of the second Elizabethan era. During her reign, there have quite likely been more changes, more advances in technology and infrastructure, more challenges and risks to humanity, and more incredible accomplishments, than during any similar timeframe in history. 

Through it all, well beyond her role and function as a monarch, Queen Elizabeth was a worldwide beacon of strength, encouragement, wisdom, and wit. Only the very hardest of hearts and the irretrievably cynical had no use or respect for our Queen.

Queen Elizabeth’s simple statement at the beginning of her reign, to be a devoted servant, was her mantra to the end, to the very day before she died. It was always, even in the most difficult of times, service above self.

I will never forget the picture of the Queen standing in her home at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, fulfilling her constitutional duty by inviting Prime Minister Elizabeth Truss, to form a government in the United Kingdom. She had a smile on her face and grit in her demeanor.

 As former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said about her when he submitted his resignation earlier that day, she was still asking questions and giving advice. It is hard to believe that less than forty-eight hours later, the Queen had died. 

I will always remember the Queen for her sense of humour, her love of horses, and of course her trademark corgis. Her antics with 007, Paddington Bear and so many others will always bring a smile to my face. As well, marmalade sandwiches have taken on a whole new meaning for me!

But it is her stamina, her keen sense of duty, and her ability to motivate, encourage and empower people, under both the best and worst of circumstances and over so many decades, that I will remember the most. I believe it will be her legacy. 

And as we move more directly into a very different era, it is that legacy I sincerely hope those within the political realm in Canada will honour; not just remember, but also emulate. While clearly with very different constitutional responsibilities, Queen Elizabeth has exhibited throughout her long reign, the true qualities of real and effective leadership. 

Elizabeth II was a servant Queen. What the world needs now, in my view what Canada desperately needs now, are political leaders who will also be servant leaders. Leaders who, like the Queen, put service before self and will make that unequivocal pledge to the people of Canada.

In these extremely challenging and disruptive times, is that too much to ask? 

Hugh Mackenzie.

Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.

Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.

In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.

Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.

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