Disclaimer – If I could claim Star Trek as my own I would
Earth date, July 2165, London, Buckingham Palace
Elizabeth III, Queen of the United Kingdom. The Third World War of over 100 years ago killed the Commonwealth, disestablished the Anglican church and diminished the sovereignty of the British monarch. Her ancestors would turn in their grave if they knew how many nations were lost to British influence but as the Vulcan people would say, what was that word –Kar- Deeth. Or something along those lines.
British people being what they are, still clung to the traditional system of government; an unelected Head of State and an elected Prime Minister. Despite the major upheavals of the past any politician that campaigned for a republic was still defeated heavily at the polls. The House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha aka Windsor since WWI was still around and staying put.
The young lady of thirty years old was about to meet someone even more famous than herself. She had ascended the throne at the youthful age of twenty after her father, King Henry IX was tragically killed in a shuttle accident. Her very important guest had also been elected to duty as a young woman. No one knew how old she was, since her people were very secretive about these things, but she looked in her late twenties.
Palace courtiers came to lead the monarch to her guests of honour. Elizabeth had read all she could about them and spent the whole week practising her hand salute. One of her ancestors, William IV* had been one of the first British people to meet an offworlder. The King and Prime Minister had travelled to the USA to meet the strange alien peoples. He had written in his personal diary, Earth and humanity would never be the same again. A simple but profound statement.
As the courtiers entered the Throne Room where the meeting was taking place, from the other side of the room the door opened and the delegation of offworlders entered. A small lady, wearing the beautifully designed robes of her people was in her presence.
"Your Majesty, we present to you T'Sai T'Pau of Vulcan."
The monarch held up her hand in the t'aal, the Vulcan lady bowed her head following the custom of meeting a Terran Head of State.
Elizabeth felt honoured to be in her presence. Elizabeth III ruled a nation but T'Pau of Vulcan ruled a world.
Author's Notes
It's one of those Sunday afternoons when for some strange reason I'm watching a bad movie 'King Ralph', my mind started to wonder.. see what happens when one is idle. LOL
I'm neither an ardent monarchist or republican but I do think British culture will keep the monarchy, we love our cultural traditions and you cannot get more traditional than a Royal family
*If the present Prince William makes it to 2063 he will be 71 years old and more likely reign as William IV.