“Grief is the price we pay for love” – Queen Elizabeth II
(Apr 21st 1926- Sept 8th, 2022)
Elizabeth II, by the Grace of God, Queen of the United
Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and
Territories, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith is dead.
The passing of Her Majesty has evoked emotions ranging from
abject grief to an abundance of joy. The reader is encouraged to use their
favourite search engine to seek out reactions to the death of Elizabeth II,
because regardless of where one stands on the subject, all options are still on
the table and open to embracement.
To set the tone and the tenor for what follows, the reader
needs to understand that this author respected Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor
not for her titles but for her actions and her staunch presentation of what it
means to be British; the proverbial stiff upper lip in times of both stress and
distress, which has been and will hopefully continue to be an integral part of
being British. There is a certain level of trepidation on behalf of this author
in that the stereotypical British stiff upper lip will fade way in a way
resembling the mists leaving the Scottish moors.
In the year of our Lord 1952, a mere seven years after the
end of the Second World War; Elizabeth Windsor, at the age of 25 became the
Queen of England and all of her realms. From that day on, her path was
set. This was a job that she both
accepted and embraced. For all families have at least one person who is
difficult; add to that the eyes of an entire planet looking over your shoulder
each and every day.
The current measure of a woman seems to demand a
demonstration of manly traits and yet this author within the limited boundaries
of his knowledge can’t recall a manly moment in the life of Elizabeth II. Being
noble and regal was the task assigned and being noble and regal were the deeds
of Elizabeth II, which she accomplished with poise.
Though she would eventually become the leader of the
Commonwealth, Elizabeth II was already five years old at the time of the
inception of the Commonwealth in December of 1931. For those readers who don’t
like or embrace math, the Commonwealth will be a 91 year old institution come
this December in the year 2022.
The creation of the Commonwealth of
Nations was probably the largest pseudo-voluntary divestment of
empirical power the world has seen to date. The word ‘pseudo’ was included
above, as history shows that rebellious actions had taken place in many places.
It has been said that the trigger is that final act of diplomacy and yet the
shifting away from the days of Empire towards a Commonwealth brought the
diplomats back to the table
.
Within the Commonwealth, member nations have autonomy over
the selection of their own leaders. Additionally, member nations were given
control over their own laws and other internal matters. The head of the British
Royal family became a figurehead ruler for the Commonwealth nations, almost.
That ‘almost’ came within the charter of the Commonwealth as it is the national
heads of state who select the leader of the Commonwealth
There is another ‘almost’ that needs to be pointed out and
that is the weight that Elizabeth II carried solely through the recognition of
her majesty’s character. A quiet or not so quiet comment from the Queen was
sure to make the occasional political head sit just a little straighter in
their seat. The reverence and respect shown to Elizabeth II, was a testament to
her character. Additionally, throughout much of the world when one mentioned
‘The Queen’ everyone knew the reference and no clarification was required. This
is the legacy of The Queen.
The Queen is dead.
Charles, the new King has a very difficult set of tasks and
expectations moving forward. Based solely on a biological coin toss, Charles has been thrust
into a role that most people would dread once the realization of what the task
entails sets in. We, the observers will look on with interest as those who
railed against the figurehead of a Royal matriarchy shift gears to rail against
a figurehead of a Royal patriarchy.
While the shift from a
Matriarchy to a Patriarchy will have a considerable social impact indeed, the
administrative impact will be felt for a significant amount of time because QC
will be made KC, Regina will become Rex and in places like Canada, solders will
now swear allegiance to ‘the King and all his rightful heirs’.
Perhaps the fact that this
author took that Canadian military oath is the source for the soft spot for the
Royal family being put on display here, whereas people from countries and
cultures that suffered under the British may feel differently about the Royal
family. When curdled cream is added to coffee and rises to the top, it does not
make the coffee any better. Hate for a
society you just moved into is representative of that curdled cream.
If Charles can bring those who embrace and those who hate the Royal family to talk by finding some common ground, then perhaps he will create his own legacy and leave a shinier pair of shoes for the next in line to step into.
Long live the King.
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