From my perspective, as the second longest reigning monarch in history, she will be remembered. Unlike many in her position, she didn't sit idly by during WWII, and instead chose to take action and be as involved with the war effort as she could be. She was a constant in an ever changing world and did the best she could.
What I've noticed over the past few days, though, is just how little people around the world know or understand about the monarchy. I, myself, can't say that I know a great deal about how it functions in the modern age, yet I noticed a great many people blaming Elizabeth for events in which she was either not involved, or couldn't do anything about it.
Which brings up a question: Why is it that so many people are quick to blame someone who wasn't responsible for certain actions, rather than the people who actually did the actions, who were actually responsible?
I think the death of Queen Elizabeth II will be seen as the final nail in the coffin of Britain’s place as a “power” on the world stage. Her death, along with Brexit will I think be seen as a start of British isolation. King Charles III simply can’t garner the same goodwill as his mother, and this will translate as a loss of soft power for the country.
The one thing I hope will not pass into dim memory is the notion of service to one’s community and the nation. One cannot think of Queen Elizabeth and not appreciate her service to the nation. She’s so iconic as the embodiment of all that is best in the British. God give you rest and peace Dear Lady.
These last few days have reminded all of us in the rest of the world of why we love England so much. No other culture can do what you all can do- that Keep Calm and Carry On presence with that sense of nobility and comfort with familiar rituals. That rich tradition is an inspiration that I hope will not pass.
How historians will portray Queen Elizabeth's era, I don't know. Like with any other monarch there'll be good and bad I suppose.
Personally even though I watched the whole funeral it still feels strangely odd reading and hearing the reflections about it on the news. I know it's going to sound a little weird but it feels like a little part of myself died and walked off with that lone piper. It's most likely because I can still remember a seven year old me enjoying the Silver Jubilee street party in 1977 and my recently departed mum's love of Elizabeth II.
As far as change is concerned, I can see Australia finally leaving the Commonwealth. I also think Charles will implement reforms within the family, mainly so he can at some point pass the baton on to William.
It's a curious human tendency to want to define periods in history, to punctuate it with deaths of monarchs, wars, centuries, etc. It gives us a sense of control, it makes sense of events in the same way religion does. In reality, significant events like the pandemic, the death of the queen, the events in Ukraine, etc reveal a lot about the behaviour of people, they provide a lens to look through. I think we understand history - and maybe the present - better when we remove the punctuation and look at the flowing evolution of life. There are other things such as technology, AI and climate change, that will have a greater impact on the future.
Here in Australia, as soon as news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing the debate about republic started. Talk of whether King Charles will have the strength to keep the Commonwealth nations together, is the question that will be discussed by our political leaders for many months to come. Uncertain times ahead I feel.
She was literally one of the last people - certainly of visible and influential people - left on earth who actually remembered WWII, including what conditions led up to it, and its aftermath. It's not just her being gone, its the fact this decade is when all the last folks who'd seen it have gone... which is why you're seeing a bunch of lunatics running around making policy unmoored from the lessons of 20th century history.
The British monarchy is the embodiment of white supremacy and I hope Elizabeth's death will quicken its dissolution. However I recognize I'm in the minority (pun intended) especially among your readers.
But what I think really doesn't matter because I'm American so carry-on.
Being an American, I think the death of Queen Elizabeth II will be seen as the historical and psychological end of the world created after WWII. The institutions, systems and beliefs created in the aftermath of WWII, appear to have failed or become irrelevant in the 21st century and even more so since the Pandemic. I’m sad at her passing, as QEII was a living touchstone to a world that we can no longer hear.
I don’t believe it will be easy to define the 2nd Elizabethan age as such due to the fact that the late queen hardly played any decisive part in the events of importance of the 21st century. It’s not exactly like it was even a few centuries ago when history was actually forged by the monarchs who planned invasions, political course etc. Yes, she was beyond a doubt an inspirational figure but it’s just it.
Elizabeth II was known as The Queen. I can't think of another monarch who simply went by that name. You didn't need to use Elizabeth II to know who she was. Her reign was a bridge from the old Empire to the new voluntary Commonwealth of Nations.
Although her reign was long and society saw massive changes, the actual instituation of monarchy (separate from the individuals) changed very little.
I think her death will be a catalyst to those countries who want to become republics and that is fine, but I think they will remain in the Commonwealth. Charles III is smart enough to realise this.
The Queen's reign was one of public emotionless continuity - don't explain, never complain. The longer The Queen's reign continued the more this was accepted and a feeling of change in the monarchy would happen after her death.
I think it is a full stop in terms of the public stoic image and we will now see a more publicly emotional and streamlined monarchy. It will be a catalyst for change in the realms and therefore a retreat of the UK being a global player. However how much of this will also be to do with Brexit will be hotly debated by historians.
Future History question
Covid, Brexit, Queen Elizabeth's Death - how were these three events linked or indeed separate starting points for the decline of the UK's International reputation
I'm not really sure how it will be judged, maybe it will depend on the Historian. However, I do wonder if it will be judged on how King Charles III carries the crown on....I know it's not a helpful answer!
PS- do you know how we could influence HM to get some DNA testing on those 2 little skeletons in Westminster Abbey purportedly the missing Princes of the Tower - now that we know about you - know - who ?
The same question has been going around in my students' heads this week.
Historians don't have a crystal ball, but we know that history tend to repeat itself. Only the actors and the scenarios change. So, like any empire, the fall of the British Empire is bound to happen sooner or later. Whether Elizabeth II's death means the end of the British Empire or even a reconfiguration of it, we will not know yet. As you rightly say, time must be left to act, as it is something that must be seen in the light of distance. But we can say that the death of Elizabeth II marks the end of an era in the british history, just as the deaths of Queens Victoria and Elizabeth I did.
Within a larger framework, in which as a civilization we are seeing paradigms shifts, I do believe that the Queen's death will be one of the milestones in world history (because of its possible subsequent implications), such as the pandemic, the energy crisis, geopolitical changes, the accelerated development of science and technology, the massive use of the internet, virtuality, and social networks. Meanwhile,we are all still actors in this thriller.
From my perspective, as the second longest reigning monarch in history, she will be remembered. Unlike many in her position, she didn't sit idly by during WWII, and instead chose to take action and be as involved with the war effort as she could be. She was a constant in an ever changing world and did the best she could.
What I've noticed over the past few days, though, is just how little people around the world know or understand about the monarchy. I, myself, can't say that I know a great deal about how it functions in the modern age, yet I noticed a great many people blaming Elizabeth for events in which she was either not involved, or couldn't do anything about it.
Which brings up a question: Why is it that so many people are quick to blame someone who wasn't responsible for certain actions, rather than the people who actually did the actions, who were actually responsible?
I think the death of Queen Elizabeth II will be seen as the final nail in the coffin of Britain’s place as a “power” on the world stage. Her death, along with Brexit will I think be seen as a start of British isolation. King Charles III simply can’t garner the same goodwill as his mother, and this will translate as a loss of soft power for the country.
The one thing I hope will not pass into dim memory is the notion of service to one’s community and the nation. One cannot think of Queen Elizabeth and not appreciate her service to the nation. She’s so iconic as the embodiment of all that is best in the British. God give you rest and peace Dear Lady.
These last few days have reminded all of us in the rest of the world of why we love England so much. No other culture can do what you all can do- that Keep Calm and Carry On presence with that sense of nobility and comfort with familiar rituals. That rich tradition is an inspiration that I hope will not pass.
May God Preserve and Uphold HM King Charles III
How historians will portray Queen Elizabeth's era, I don't know. Like with any other monarch there'll be good and bad I suppose.
Personally even though I watched the whole funeral it still feels strangely odd reading and hearing the reflections about it on the news. I know it's going to sound a little weird but it feels like a little part of myself died and walked off with that lone piper. It's most likely because I can still remember a seven year old me enjoying the Silver Jubilee street party in 1977 and my recently departed mum's love of Elizabeth II.
As far as change is concerned, I can see Australia finally leaving the Commonwealth. I also think Charles will implement reforms within the family, mainly so he can at some point pass the baton on to William.
Long live the King.
It's a curious human tendency to want to define periods in history, to punctuate it with deaths of monarchs, wars, centuries, etc. It gives us a sense of control, it makes sense of events in the same way religion does. In reality, significant events like the pandemic, the death of the queen, the events in Ukraine, etc reveal a lot about the behaviour of people, they provide a lens to look through. I think we understand history - and maybe the present - better when we remove the punctuation and look at the flowing evolution of life. There are other things such as technology, AI and climate change, that will have a greater impact on the future.
P.S. Yes, I was one of those who queued for 13 hours (overnight) to pay my respects in Wesminster Hall.
It was a lot of effort to go into the Hall and see how amazing it is.
Here in Australia, as soon as news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing the debate about republic started. Talk of whether King Charles will have the strength to keep the Commonwealth nations together, is the question that will be discussed by our political leaders for many months to come. Uncertain times ahead I feel.
She was literally one of the last people - certainly of visible and influential people - left on earth who actually remembered WWII, including what conditions led up to it, and its aftermath. It's not just her being gone, its the fact this decade is when all the last folks who'd seen it have gone... which is why you're seeing a bunch of lunatics running around making policy unmoored from the lessons of 20th century history.
The British monarchy is the embodiment of white supremacy and I hope Elizabeth's death will quicken its dissolution. However I recognize I'm in the minority (pun intended) especially among your readers.
But what I think really doesn't matter because I'm American so carry-on.
Being an American, I think the death of Queen Elizabeth II will be seen as the historical and psychological end of the world created after WWII. The institutions, systems and beliefs created in the aftermath of WWII, appear to have failed or become irrelevant in the 21st century and even more so since the Pandemic. I’m sad at her passing, as QEII was a living touchstone to a world that we can no longer hear.
Depends where The Crown goes from here
I don’t believe it will be easy to define the 2nd Elizabethan age as such due to the fact that the late queen hardly played any decisive part in the events of importance of the 21st century. It’s not exactly like it was even a few centuries ago when history was actually forged by the monarchs who planned invasions, political course etc. Yes, she was beyond a doubt an inspirational figure but it’s just it.
Elizabeth II was known as The Queen. I can't think of another monarch who simply went by that name. You didn't need to use Elizabeth II to know who she was. Her reign was a bridge from the old Empire to the new voluntary Commonwealth of Nations.
Although her reign was long and society saw massive changes, the actual instituation of monarchy (separate from the individuals) changed very little.
I think her death will be a catalyst to those countries who want to become republics and that is fine, but I think they will remain in the Commonwealth. Charles III is smart enough to realise this.
The Queen's reign was one of public emotionless continuity - don't explain, never complain. The longer The Queen's reign continued the more this was accepted and a feeling of change in the monarchy would happen after her death.
I think it is a full stop in terms of the public stoic image and we will now see a more publicly emotional and streamlined monarchy. It will be a catalyst for change in the realms and therefore a retreat of the UK being a global player. However how much of this will also be to do with Brexit will be hotly debated by historians.
Future History question
Covid, Brexit, Queen Elizabeth's Death - how were these three events linked or indeed separate starting points for the decline of the UK's International reputation
I'm not really sure how it will be judged, maybe it will depend on the Historian. However, I do wonder if it will be judged on how King Charles III carries the crown on....I know it's not a helpful answer!
PS- do you know how we could influence HM to get some DNA testing on those 2 little skeletons in Westminster Abbey purportedly the missing Princes of the Tower - now that we know about you - know - who ?
The same question has been going around in my students' heads this week.
Historians don't have a crystal ball, but we know that history tend to repeat itself. Only the actors and the scenarios change. So, like any empire, the fall of the British Empire is bound to happen sooner or later. Whether Elizabeth II's death means the end of the British Empire or even a reconfiguration of it, we will not know yet. As you rightly say, time must be left to act, as it is something that must be seen in the light of distance. But we can say that the death of Elizabeth II marks the end of an era in the british history, just as the deaths of Queens Victoria and Elizabeth I did.
Within a larger framework, in which as a civilization we are seeing paradigms shifts, I do believe that the Queen's death will be one of the milestones in world history (because of its possible subsequent implications), such as the pandemic, the energy crisis, geopolitical changes, the accelerated development of science and technology, the massive use of the internet, virtuality, and social networks. Meanwhile,we are all still actors in this thriller.