At the time when Jesus Christ walked the earth the Roman empire ruled over most of what was then the " known world ". Since then other empires have come and gone and the last was the "British Empire " - on which it was proudly claimed that the " sun never set " !
The core of that empire was an insignificant tiny land mass off the coast of Europe and at its height it was ruled by Queen Victoria. Today that throne is occupied by the world's longest serving reigning monarch and Queen Elizabeth celebrated her ninety-first birthday last month. Her consort - Prince Philip turns ninety-six next month.
This week the Royal staff from several regional castles that are officially " home " to the Queen were summonsed to Buckingham Palace for a meeting and to hear a royal announcement. Prince Philip is to stand down from royal duties in the autumn and the functions of the monarch will be delegated more widely between Prince Charles and his sons, William and Harry and William's wife, Katherine.
It is obvious that Elizabeth's reign must soon come to a close and by protocol Charles will become king, but great change is happening right across the United Kingdom. A referendum to leave the EU will require a complicated withdrawal as it comes to trading terms with other nations and fractures within the alliance are set to deepen. Scotland recently narrowly voted to retain the union with England and Wales and it seems certain that the matter of northern Ireland's attachment to Britain will come under question as Ireland remains a member of the EU.
There seems no doubt that this EU membership withdrawal and the negotiations it will require will include pressure from Spain for the return of Gibraltar and Argentina can be expected to use the opportunity to again appeal to the United Nations over its claim to the Falkland islands.
Australia rejected a referendum to replace the monarchy by becoming a republic by a narrow margin. It is generally conceded that there will be no change during the Queen's lifetime but there may not be the same deep affection for Charles when he becomes king. Many people would prefer a generational change and for the throne to go directly to Prince William, but that is unlikely.
We live in a fast changing - and dangerous - world. Britain is not the world power it used to be and the Royal Navy no longer rules the waves. It remains to be seen if the surprise referendum result to quit the EU was a mistake or a calculated risk to gain freedom from the restrictive nature of a Brussels controlled trading block that seeks to impose " more Europe " on its members.
One thing is certain. Further change is inevitable !
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