Yesterday another fine example was on show as she addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations - where members have heard some pretty controversial speeches from other heads of state, and for many of whom the very idea of a politically neutral speech must be quite strange.
But as a constitutional monarch of 16 countries and head of a commonwealth of 54 countries, the Queen's challenge was, as usual: how do you say anything of relevance to such a diverse audience without appearing to take sides?
The answer is that you take sides with positive achievements of the organisation and its worthy values - with which all member states can agree or, at least, to which they can all pay lip service.
Then you deliver it in a flat monotone to avoid sounding too passionate about anything in particular - and especially anything verging on the controversial.
The most controversial line?
Although few, apart from supporters of Al Quaeda, could take exception to her singling out 'the struggle against terrorism' as one of the two 'new challenges' facing UN member states, her inclusion climate change as the other one was arguably the most controversial thing that she said - running, as it did, the risk of offending all the climate change deniers around the world.
Best lines?
One line that stood out for me must also have stood out for her speechwriter, as it featured a quotation from a UN Secretary General that's survived for more than fifty years, namely a medical metaphor, to which was added an apt extension:
"Former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold once said that ‘constant attention by a good nurse may be just as important as a major operation by a surgeon’. Good nurses get better with practice; sadly the supply of patients never ceases."
I was also impressed by the idea of "waging peace".
And her opening line - "I believe I was last here in 1957" - was presumably meant to be humorous.
The Queen's use of other rhetorical techniques
The speech also included quite a few neatly constructed contrasts, such as:
(A) ".. many of these sweeping advances have come about not because of governments, committee resolutions, or central directives - although all these have played a part -
(B) but instead because millions of people around the world have wanted them.
(A) "When I was first here, there were just three United Nations operations overseas.
(B) "Now over 120,000 men and women are deployed in 26 missions across the world."
"In my lifetime, the United Nations has moved from being
(A) a high-minded aspiration to being
(B) a real force for common good."
There were quite a few three-part lists:
(1)"You have helped to reduce conflict,
(2) you have offered humanitarian assistance to millions of people affected by natural disasters and other emergencies,
(3) and you have been deeply committed to tackling the effects of poverty in many parts of the world."
".. it is my hope that, when judged by future generations,
(1) our sincerity,
(2) our willingness to take a lead,
(3) and our determination to do the right thing, will stand the test of time."
"The challenge now is to continue to show this clear and convening leadership while not losing sight of your ongoing work to secure
(1) the security,
(2) prosperity
(3) and dignity of our fellow human beings."
And there was also one example of a combined format, in which the first part was a list of three:
(A)".. many of these sweeping advances have come about not because of
(1) governments,
(2) committee resolutions,
(3) or central directives - although all these have played a part -
(B) but instead because millions of people around the world have wanted them.
You can watch the whole speech above and/or read it below:
I believe I was last here in 1957.
Since then, I have travelled widely and met many leaders, ambassadors and statesmen from around the world. I address you today as Queen of sixteen United Nations Member States and as Head of the Commonwealth of 54 countries.
I have also witnessed great change, much of it for the better, particularly in science and technology, and in social attitudes. Remarkably, many of these sweeping advances have come about not because of governments, committee resolutions, or central directives - although all these have played a part - but instead because millions of people around the world have wanted them.
For the United Nations, these subtle yet significant changes in people's approach to leadership and power might have foreshadowed failure and demise. Instead, the United Nations has grown and prospered by responding and adapting to these shifts.
But also, many important things have not changed. The aims and values which inspired the United Nations Charter endure: to promote international peace, security and justice; to relieve and remove the blight of hunger, poverty and disease; and to protect the rights and liberties of every citizen.
The achievements of the United Nations are remarkable. When I was first here, there were just three United Nations operations overseas. Now over 120,000 men and women are deployed in 26 missions across the world. You have helped to reduce conflict, you have offered humanitarian assistance to millions of people affected by natural disasters and other emergencies, and you have been deeply committed to tackling the effects of poverty in many parts of the world.
But so much remains to be done. Former Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold once said that ‘constant attention by a good nurse may be just as important as a major operation by a surgeon’. Good nurses get better with practice; sadly the supply of patients never ceases.
This September, leaders will meet to agree how to achieve the Millennium Development Goals when each nation will have its own distinctive contribution to make. New challenges have also emerged which have tested this organisation as much as its member states. One such is the struggle against terrorism. Another challenge is climate change, where careful account must be taken of the risks facing smaller, more vulnerable nations, many of them from the Commonwealth.
Mr. President,
I started by talking about leadership. I have much admiration for those who have the talent to lead, particularly in public service and in diplomatic life - and I congratulate you, your colleagues and your predecessors on your many achievements.
It has perhaps always been the case that the waging of peace is the hardest form of leadership of all. I know of no single formula for success, but over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal, and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration, to work together.
Since I addressed you last, the Commonwealth, too, has grown vigorously to become a group of nations representing nearly two billion people. It gives its whole-hearted support to the significant contributions to the peace and stability of the world made by the United Nations and its Agencies. Last November, when I opened the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago, I told the delegates that the Commonwealth had the opportunity to lead. Today I offer you the same message.
For over six decades the United Nations has helped to shape the international response to global dangers. The challenge now is to continue to show this clear and convening leadership while not losing sight of your ongoing work to secure the security, prosperity and dignity of our fellow human beings.
When people in fifty-three years from now look back on us, they will doubtless view many of our practices as old-fashioned. But it is my hope that, when judged by future generations, our sincerity, our willingness to take a lead, and our determination to do the right thing, will stand the test of time.
In my lifetime, the United Nations has moved from being a high-minded aspiration to being a real force for common good. That of itself has been a signal achievement. But we are not gathered here to reminisce. In tomorrow’s world, we must all work together as hard as ever if we are truly to be United Nations.
