Throughout her professional life, Britain’s Ambassador H.E. Gill Gallard served the Queen. She spoke to Diplomatic Magazine about the death of Queen Elizabeth, the importance of the British monarchy and the accents that King Charles will set.
DM: Queen Elizabeth has stood for stability and continuity throughout the decades, in the midst of crises and upheavals. But is a monarchy still appropriate and relevant today?
H.E. Jill Gallard: Her Late Majesty the Queen has been a constant presence in the lives of most people in the United Kingdom, most people in the world. I believe that is why so many people were so overcome with sadness at Her passing. For someone like me, I have known just one Queen my whole life. I was Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Portugal 10 years ago, and Her Majesty’s Ambassador in Germany until last week. Now I am His Majesty’s Ambassador.
And of course, that sense of continuity and stability is one of the things a constitutional monarchy like ours provides. That does not mean an unchanging institution – the Queen herself innovated throughout Her reign, from inviting broadcasters to Her coronation in 1953 to hosting Paddington Bear for tea at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations this year. I find that it’s this openness to change together with pride in our traditions, that many Germans find both intriguing and appealing about our monarchy.
DM: Do you think that King Charles will also win the hearts of the British like the Queen did?
H.E. Jill Gallard: Yes. And He already has. His Majesty King Charles III. has been preparing for this new role for a long time. He has spoken himself of the inspiring example of His mother’s dedication to duty right to the end of Her reign. And He himself has considerable experience from His own long service as Prince of Wales.
I am also particularly pleased that He has such a close relationship with Germany. He visited Germany more than thirty times, including in November 2020, my first full week as Ambassador. So many contacts told me afterwards how inspiring they found His speech in the Bundestag, part of it delivered in fluent German.
DM: Prince Charles has been committed to sustainability and the protection of the environment for decades. Will he strengthen this commitment in his function as King? And will his commitment increase the awareness of the world community for the epochal upheaval in which the world finds itself?
H.E. Jill Gallard: King Charles III. has been internationally recognized for his knowledge and work for the environment. His engagement on this issue, long before it became so widespread, is a further example of how the new King is also open to change and new ideas.
He has been a patron of “The Queen’s Green Canopy” campaign, which we have also been running in Germany, planting trees in Her Late Majesty’s name across the country. Those trees are now a small part of Her Late Majesty’s incredible legacy.
Interview Tanja Schmidt