How Should We Feel About the Queens Death

Why The Queen Should Be Celebrated

As King George VI took his last breath in his estate in Norfolk, England, on the other side of the world, on a relief mission to Kenya, a young woman by the name of Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor began her reign as Britain’s longest-serving monarch. She was told while watching rhinoceroses that not only did her father pass away, but she was now the ruler of one of the most powerful countries in the world. During her time on the throne, she faced many obstacles, including wars, family disagreements, and helping the United Kingdom into the twenty-first century. As she passed away on September 8th, 2022, the world stood still to remember one of the most incredible monarchs the world has ever seen.  

Queen Elizabeth II, was never supposed to be queen. It was a turn of fate rather than a thought-out succession plan. The Queen’s uncle, King Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to marry Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée. Thus making Elizabeth’s father, George IV, King, and her an heir to the throne. From her early days as a new heir, she was already trying to unite people, as she took to the BBC radio, aged fourteen, to deliver a speech to children during the difficult times they faced in World War II. When she was finally given rule of the country after her father had passed away in 1951, there was a sense of euphoria around her and what her rule could potentially bring. Many believed that she could bring about a new era of British success, leading them into the twenty-first century. 

Throughout the next seventy years, she would do exactly that. Leading the country into a new age, rather than being left behind, 1997 was arguably the rockiest year of the Queen’s reign, after the death of Princess Diana, many questioned where the line between her family and duties as Queen lay. Queen Elizabeth II decided to stay at Balmoral Castle in Scotland with Diana’s two sons, Princes William and Harry, a decision that split public opinion. Under pressure from the public, she would return to London and give a public address, in which she expressed her deepest sympathies for those impacted by the loss of Diana. More recent personal controversies include Prince Andrew allegedly sexually assaulting a minor and Prince Harry along with his new wife, Meghan Markle, leaving their royal posts to move to the United States. However, there are other, thornier issues regarding her remembrance that must be discussed. 

The United Kingdom has an extensive history of colonization (the Commonwealth). However, throughout her reign, Queen Elizabeth II represented much more and tried to move away from this image, allowing those who wished to leave the United Kingdom’s control to do so. Since her inauguration in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II has approved more than seventy territories or countries to leave control of the United Kingdom. Fifteen self-governed countries are still part of the Commonwealth and recognize the Queen, now the King, as their monarch. Allowing these countries to leave her rule not only shows her willingness to move into a new time in history but also gave freedom to those who wanted it while not standing in their way through physical force. 

As she grew older, the Queen became more willing to make more “out of context” appearances, for example, her appearance in the introduction of her Platinum Jubilee. Queen Elizabeth II is filmed having tea and enjoying marmalade sandwiches with Paddington, unprecedented considering the Queen preferred to stay on the more reserved side of the social spectrum. The Queen continued carrying out her royal services until two days before her passing, as she met with the fifteenth Prime Minister of her reign, Liz Truss, after the resignation of Boris Johnson. 

So what can we learn from Queen Elizabeth? We can learn about this incredibly strong and independent woman who led her country through times of immense difficulty and conflict, while also dealing with personal issues. Queen Elizabeth brought a country that many see as old-fashioned into the twenty-first century. 

I will leave you with one of her more famous quotes, which personally I believe perfectly exemplifies her reign as, not only Queen but wife, mother, grandmother, or friend:

“Over the years, those who have seemed to me to be the most happy, contented, and fulfilled have always been the people who have lived the most outgoing and unselfish lives.” - Queen Elizabeth II

By Luke Birch

Should We Really Celebrate the Queen?

Last Thursday, September 8, Queen Elizabeth II passed away, drawing an outpour of mourning from the public. Not only was she celebrated in the UK, she was praised worldwide for her accomplishments as Britain's longest reigning monarch. But since her death, many questions have arisen, especially from people of color. These questions have often echoed the same sentiment: “Should we really mourn the Queen?” Considering the history of marginalization under the British empire, it’s a valid question. 

From draining India of resources, to colonizing and decimating countless nations, the Kingdom which Queen Elizabeth and her family ruled over carries an unforgivable past. The Queen’s distant predecessor, Queen Elizabeth I, played an imperative role to the establishment of slavery in Britian. 

While the Queen may not be the direct cause of Britain's history, as the symbol of the kingdom, she is inevitably tied to these connotations. Prince Philip, Elizabeth’s husband, is known to have made several astoundingly racist remarks during his life. Just one example of his numerous racist remarks is when he infamously told a group of British students visiting China that “if you stay here much longer you’ll all be slitty-eyed.” Meghan Markle and Prince Harry cited that one of the reasons they left the UK is the onslaught of racism that Meghan, a biracial woman, faced from the Royal Family. In an interview with Oprah, Markle said that a member of the Royal Family had come to the couple with concerns over how dark their child, Archie, would be. The Queen did address the couple’s comments, stating that:  "The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."  In addition, the Royal Family received a heavy dose of backlash after declining to speak out in favor of the “Black Lives Matter” movement, which sparked worldwide demonstrations about racial injustice.During her time as leader, the Queen clearly made a conscious effort to work against the racist systems and history of her country. This isn’t as much about her personally as it is about what she symbolizes. Maybe it’s time that we, as the public, stop putting this family along with their history, on a pedestal. 

While it’s completely valid to mourn the passing of a prevalent figure in your country’s time, it’s just important to be conscious of Britain' history and be able to acknowledge that to many people, Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the Royals represent much more than just tradition and glamor. The Queen and her family carry the weight of their empire with them and that can’t be lost in the pomp and circumstance. The way the media treats the Royal Family reminds us of who controls the narrative. As long as we refuse to condemn the Royal family’s past, the whitewashed perspective of history will continue to reign supreme.

By Sawyer Sugarman