I happened to be watching some of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations that were taking place today. The Queen and other working royals standing on the balcony in front of thousands.
On the surface, it looks like a pretty sweet position. But like anything else, I’m sure it wears on you after a while. And seventy years at the same job, day in and day out, it really is quite impressive when you think of it.
Most of us wouldn’t even consider it. If we started work at sixteen, even fifty years on the job would put us well into brown envelope territory and most of us would be out the door. And even at that, how many of us can say we have stayed in the exact same job for our entire working lives?
Those of us who do stay in one place for much of our working careers tend to change jobs, a least a bit. Add or subtract different duties, shift positions at least a bit. And many people will make a career move once or twice over the course of their lives. Royals don’t get to do that.
Think of it. Your early years are spent essentially being trained for the job you will then do for the rest of your life. So it’s not even just your working life, but your entire life that is set pretty much set in stone. I know, the pay is more than good, and there are a lot of perks, but you have to chose every word very carefully every time you speak and there are constant demands on your time. It may not be hard labour, but it’s always there.
And lately, the Queen has the rather unenviable position of which family members get to be seen in her presence. That can’t be fun. Family is still family, no matter what the rest of the world may think of them.
So I’m pretty sure there are a few downsides to being in such a position. But Queen Elizabeth has kept at it for seventy years. And done an admirable job.
I can imagine there was more than once she might have thought of packing it in and staying home with the corgis and the horses and a nice cup of tea and just relaxing. But instead, she keeps going. Although I’m pretty sure she could get a decent pension if she decided to hang up the crown.
When you take away the fact that she is Queen, just spending seventy years in the same job is worth celebrating. It’s a milestone many of the rest of us will never reach, nor would we want to.
I, for one, have plans that involve a dog and a cup of tea and relaxing. Although we’re still in the planning process.
Congratulations to the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee. A milestone worth celebrating for many reasons.
