Airing an Era

The death of Queen Elizabeth has generated both discussions and questions about her legacy. Inevitably her legacy is inextricably linked to the legacy of the British Empire and the British government across the world. The Queen’s reign has spanned a period of momentous and memorable events across the world and  Great Britain. It has included the Second World War, the end of the Cold War, the partition of India, the splitting up of Palestine to create the state and of Israel, the end of colonial rule in Africa, the end of the two party political system in the U.K., the makings of multicultural society; Brexit; and the list goes on. It is understandable that during this period a lot of people have looked up and greatly admired the Queen for her status, service and carriage. However, there are also people who see the Queen as the symbol and representative of an oppressive and exploitative institution. These are all legitimate positions which come from places of genuinely heartfelt emotions and experiences.

The Queen has been a symbol of Britishness for over seventy years. She has represented stability and dignity to the British people and all over the Globe. She was a steadfast servant of the government and British national interest. She has been Britain’s foremost diplomat and tourism promoter all through her reign. Her non controversial nature gave the British someone to look up to and universally like. The British people have been enraptured and entertained by the Queen’s regal bearing and privileged lifestyle.

It was understandable that the Queen requested that King Charles III be retained as the head of the Commonwealth. However, it demonstrated how out of touch she was with the prevailing desire for independence and equality among citizens of member states. Retaining a monarch as head is hanging on to outdated and backward notions of status and entitlement. Making the Commonwealth democratic might have been some acknowledgment of the recognition of the evils of past imperialism and the desire to promote equality and self determination.

Even though Queen Elizabeth cannot be held directly responsible for all the misdeeds and horrors perpetrated in the name of the British Empire she cannot claim to stand for the it and its government and yet accept no accountability for its actions. Her failure to acknowledge and make overt amends for the wrongs committed will remain an unforgivable omission on her part. It must be said she has done far too little to modernise the monarchy or too promote or respect the wills of the people in the regions of which she has been the Sovereign. During her reign the royal family has been beset by scandal, petty disputes, relatively unaccomplished, entitled, indulgent, and overly close to the tabloid media. She leaves behind a King who is more pitiful than powerful, and a heir who seems unable to resolve the simplest conflicts amongst those close to him. She leaves the monarchy and the U.K. in a not much better state than when she came to the throne. The nation is a place riven by ethnic discontent, where a culture of prejudice and unfairness has taken roots and is saddled with a political system that is systemically corrupt. 

In terms of individual accomplishments the Queen may not have notched up a formidable array during her long reign. Her obligation to be non political has meant she has not taken a direct stance on many global issues. For some this has made her look disengaged and often irrelevant. There is also a school of thought that believes her being non political should not have deterred her from taking a stance on human rights and racial equality. After all, if the royal family is able to concern itself with wildlife conservation then how much more important should defending human dignity be to them? Queen Elizabeth II will forever be remembered as a major global figure of the 20th and 21st centuries. The British Empire will forever be remembered as an imperialist scourge of the developing world. For many the Queen as the head and symbol of that Empire should have done more to acknowledge and atone for its evils.