Be the best... At St James’s Palace in London, a Grenadier Guardsman is being relieved by a Kingsman of the King’s Regiment (later subsumed into the Duke of Lancaster‘s Regiment).
FIRMLY relying ourselves on the truth of Christianity, and acknowledging with gratitude the solace of religion, we disclaim alike the right and desire to impose our convictions on any of our subjects.*
We declare it to be our royal will and pleasure that none be in anywise favoured, none molested or disquieted, by reason of their religious faith or observances, but that all alike shall enjoy the equal and impartial protection of the law; and we do strictly charge and enjoin all those who may be in authority under us that they abstain from all interference with the religious belief or worship of any of our subjects on pain of our highest displeasure.
And it is our further will that, so far as may be, our subjects, of whatever race or creed, be freely and impartially admitted to offices in our service, the duties of which they may be qualified, by their education, ability, and integrity, duly to discharge.
For background, see The Indian Mutiny.
Précis
Following the Indian Mutiny in 1857, Queen Victoria assured the people of India that they would not be pressurised into becoming Christians. She declared that in Britain all are equal under the law, and that British subjects would be employed by her government regardless of race or religion, provided they could perform the duties required of them. (56 / 60 words)
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