Long Live The Queen: Queen Elizabeth II Dies at 96
posted by Jacqueline Leibman | September 26, 2022 | In NewsIt was announced by Buckingham Palace at 6:30 p.m. on September 8 that the United Kingdom’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, “died peacefully” at her Scottish summer residence, Balmoral Castle. The official broadcast announcement was aired worldwide by the BBC. Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest son now rules the U.K. and the Commonwealth as King Charles III.
A significant moment in British history, Queen Elizabeth II was the country’s longest reigning monarch at 96 years old with over 70 years of service. The queen succeeded her father, King George VI, in February 1952 at the young age of 25. The queen’s life was dedicated to service as she was also the last modern head of state to have served in World War II.
More than 250,000 people waited in line for several hours to pay their respects. Based on interviews conducted by SkyNews, the general sentiments amongst the crowd were ones of deep gratitude, sadness and comradery as people formed tight knit groups with strangers after spending hours in line together. Many people said they did not mind waiting hours, or even overnight, to pay their respects. They found the long wait a small price to pay for the queen who dedicated her entire life to serving the country and the realm.
Dr. Bradley Kadel, who teaches Modern European History here at Fayetteville State University, reiterated the importance of the queen’s seemingly constant presence: “She’s there during important holidays; she gives a Christmas address every year to her subjects, for example,” Dr. Kadel continued, “Though Queen Elizabeth was famous for taking a low-profile approach on most matters, she did oversee ceremonially the major shifts in British politics since the early 1950’s.
“I think it’s important that her last official state duty was to invite Truss to assume the Prime Minister post at a very difficult time in Britain,” Dr. Kadel said. “One of her legacies may in fact be that she helped to preserve the monarchy by so resolutely holding herself above politics and sticking to the ceremonial role only.”
Just two days after appointing the new U.K. Prime Minister, Liz Truss, at Balmoral, the queen underwent medical supervision after doctors became concerned for her health. What began with the news of senior members of the royal family being summoned to Balmoral ended with worldwide shock and a nation in mourning
The U.K. and the Commonwealth underwent 10 days of mourning following the death announcement with several televised religious and political events. The death of a monarch is no small undertaking, however prior arrangements were made under “Operation London Bridge” and “Operation Unicorn”— the unicorn is the official national animal of Scotland. It was said by Buckingham Palace that the queen was greatly involved in the plans for her funeral.
The queen’s body underwent one last tour as her remains were moved in Scotland from Balmoral, to Holyrood Palace, to a funeral service in Edinburgh’s St. Giles’ Cathedral where members of the public were able to pay their respects to the former queen. Accompanied by her daughter, Princess Anne, her body was then flown to London and traveled by hearse to Buckingham Palace. The queen’s coffin was then taken in procession to Westminster Hall, where she laid in state for several days.
A funeral service was held at Westminster Abbey with 2,000 people in attendance, including 500 heads of state and foreign dignitaries. President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, were in attendance.
More than 4.1 billion people around the world watched as the queen was moved one last time to Windsor Castle in a large procession accompanied by military service members, her children, her grandchildren, and other members of the royal household. She was laid to rest in St. George’s Chapel, next to her husband of 74 years, Prince Philip, who passed away in 2021.
Despite the constant media coverage, the geoeconomics significance, and great displays of pomp and circumstance, many in the U.S. and on FSU’s campus could care less about the queen’s passing.
Dr. Kadel believes the reaction of most Americans falls into two general categories: “Either they don’t care for nor follow much at all about Britain and British politics or, they follow the pomp and pageantry of the British Royal Family, along with the coverage of what they see and read of their public controversies, but not much beyond that.”
Dr. Kadel surmised that most students fall into the first category.
As the crown’s power transitions to King Charles III, there is also the growing notion amongst Commonwealth countries to leave the British Empire. Dr. Kadel finds that reasoning is related to some people wanting to separate from the “colonial experience” that the British Empire represents.
Dr. Kadel states, “It’s unclear whether the death of Elizabeth will accelerate the shrinking of The Commonwealth or not, but for these people admiration for the Queen is a complicated matter of history, politics and geography.”
Photo courtesy of Defence Images
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