ER-II

Dr dear Dr: Sad news given the passing away of the old Queen, unexpected as it was, so what is the status of a monarch in this situation as far as the churches are concerned?

Balmoral. 08.IX.22. 6.35pm. A clipped and brief message was released from the royal channels that the Queen of England and Empire had passed away in the afternoon, and yes, it seemed it was quite unexpected. In those circumstances, usually a Church of England or Church of Scotland priest or a bishop if poss is called to minister to the dying, and the Queen herself may have called for such a minister in her final hours. Certainly, someone was on call to do their duty, as all monarchs are keen to purge their consciences of any mistakes or misunderstandings on such occasions. The Queen this time was no exception to this general rule. Before the King of Kings, all monarchs are asked to give a good accounting of their consciences. Indeed there is a “Wer ist da?” or “Who goes there?” story from the ROSL associated with the Austrian Church and Hapsburg Monarchy in those circumstances, in which the cortege of the emperor is brought to the church and he is solemnly and formally announced with his imperial titles, but the minister says he does not know who that is and refuses the emperor an entry. He is then brought again and he is announced in terms of his formal duties and privileges as the king, but then again is refused entry. Finally, a third time, he is announced as a humble pilgrim sinner petitioning grace and forgiveness, and this time the cortege is granted entry. A cute custom. Very nice indeed. So there is something of this arrangement in the lovely customs and traditions that surround a Queen’s funeral. Videbimus.