Quakers address the monarch at Buckingham Palace
Quakers from Britain and Ireland visited Buckingham Palace on Thursday, 9 March, to exercise their historic right to address the King.
In their so-called Loyal Address, Quakers thanked the King for speaking out on the environment, emphasising that a just solution to the climate crisis requires disrupting existing economic systems.
Read by Leasa Lambert of the Black, Brown and People of Colour Quaker Fellowship the address observed that Quaker communities welcome trans and gender diverse people.
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We are a people that follow after those things that make for peace, love and unity
- Margaret Fell
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Noting the Quaker commitment to make reparations for past involvement in slavery, the address said there is a moral imperative on us all to repair the harm done.
It also, as with so many Loyal Addresses over the centuries, reiterated the Quaker peace testimony.
“We may think wars end through force of arms or negotiation, but peace is maintained by building relationships, mutual dependency and shared prosperity," Leasa Lambert read.
The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) are one of just 27 'privileged bodies' which retain the historic right to present an address to the British sovereign in person. Nowadays this right is restricted to significant occasions in the life of the monarch.
The last time Quakers addressed the monarch in this way was in 2012, when the then Queen, Elizabeth II, celebrated her Diamond Jubilee. The first was in the late 17th century.
The Quaker relationship with being identified as a privileged body is a difficult one, along with the idea of a making a 'Loyal Address' to the monarch.
Quakers uphold a testimony to equality, which is at odds with hereditary monarchy. But the address offers a rare chance to catch the ear of power.
Through the centuries the attitude has varied from ingratiating to formal. In 1872, a Birmingham Quaker pointed out there were Quakers 'who consider a republic the better model.'
Paul Parker, recording clerk for Quakers in Britain, said: “Margaret Fell addressed Charles II in 1660 saying, 'We are a people that follow after those things that make for peace, love and unity; it is our desire that others' feet may walk in the same.'
“For others to 'walk in the same', we must talk to them, and in that spirit, we chose to accept the invitation in order to raise issues of concern to Quakers today."
Loyal Address by Quakers in Britain
The full text is below or can be downloaded as a PDF at the bottom of the page:
"As representatives of Quakers across Britain and Northern Ireland, we give thanks for the grace of God as shown in the life of the late Queen Elizabeth and we offer prayers for you on your accession.
"We thank you for speaking out for the environment over many decades. Quakers believe that a just solution to the climate crisis requires interrogating and disrupting our existing economic systems, which are not operating within ecological limits or upholding the wellbeing, dignity and equality of all.
"For us, equality means everyone feeling welcomed and valued for who they are, that we see their equal spiritual worth as a child of God. Who are we to reject what God has created? Our differences are a blessing, and we should rejoice in them. When we connect with other people then our differences do not divide us.
"We have welcomed trans and gender diverse people within our Quaker worshipping communities. We have committed to being an actively anti-racist church, and to making reparations for our past involvement in slavery. It is a moral imperative on us all to try to repair the harm done, as echoes of that harm are still felt today.
"We are grieved to see the harms caused by fighting in Ukraine and the many other armed conflicts throughout the world. Every casualty, civilian or soldier, is a valued human life lost or damaged. We may think wars end through force of arms or negotiation, but peace is maintained by building relationships, mutual dependency and shared prosperity.
"We hope and pray that you will be guided by the example of Jesus Christ and serve wisely and lovingly, and can counsel your governments to do the same."
9 March 2023