At a recent function presided over by the Cardinal Archbishop of Sydney – I mention that to emphasise it was not a meeting of traditional Anglo-Saxon protestants- a leading citizen told me that among the most treasured possessions of his late mother was something which he had shown his children.
This was a Bible presented to his mother who had fled from Russia, when she took the oath of allegiance as an Australian citizen.
It was a King James Bible and in it, in the front page, was a portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He told me that he had explained to his children that his mother had found in Australia a country which was a democracy under the rule of law, a constitutional monarchy.
A wonderful and living example of how the Australian crown offers leadership beyond politics for all, young and old, those born here and those who have come across the seas.
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Her Majesty The Queen accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales attended a service of celebration, to mark the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 16th November at 12 noon.
(The BBC report including a video may be seen here. It includes relevant American video clips. The influence of the King James on Australia is pervasive, not least in the influence on our language, which is one of the foundation pillars of our nation.)