Why The Queen Rules

It is two years ago, today, that I attended The Queen's Garden Party at Buckingham Palace: a completely unforgettable, yet surreal, event. It was the second time I had the tremendous honour to be in Her Majesty's company.

Queen Elizabeth II is one of my favourite people. And if there is anyone who understands how bizarre that sounds to many people - how 'un-trendy' it is to hold such a fascination - , it is me. I don't need anyone to remind me. I've had to put up with tons of predictable, insulting crap from people who either can't get their brains around such a thing, or who simply don't possess brains.

It is difficult to not hold immense respect for The Queen, particularly after having met Her, and having received an invitation from Her for afternoon tea in Her rather large backyard. She and Her Family would surely have to be some of the most misunderstood human beings on the planet. I admit that sometimes I fear that The Queen's massive financial wealth could be understandably seen as unjustified. However, many people are either unaware of or ignorant to the ways in which that money is spent. The Queen is, after all, the Head of State for several nations; the Head of the Commonwealth; the Supreme Governor of the Church of England; the Head of the Armed Forces in various countries; the reason for the survival of Britain's tourism industry; and one of the United Kingdom's most dedicated charity-workers.

She is one of those rare people in the public spotlight who has rarely ever put a foot wrong. She has held herself with such incredible dignity and grace, attracting vast crowds wherever She ventures. Surely, in a time when we almost expect celebrities to be caught up in scandal, such qualities must be valued and envied.

She has led Her nation through its best and worst times. It seems to be a natural thing in London to come together at the gates of Buckingham Palace when celebrating an event, or marking a tragedy.

Anyone who saw Her amazingly calm and collected reaction to an assassination attempt in 1981 would have seen for themselves the inner toughness of this woman, who was also for many years a target of the IRA. I am still in awe of the way She dealt with the intruder who entered her Buckingham Palace bedroom, on a morning when security were seemingly asleep and her panic button had failed to fulfil its role.

She is one of, if not the last member of The Royal Family whose image and popularity throughout the world remains unblemished, despite the controversies surrounding The Royal Family over the past fifteen years. As well, She has retained the mystique that surrounds Her and The Royal Family. As a result, The Queen remains a magnificently mysterious figure.

What a day two years ago. Dream-like, to say the least.