Queen Elizabeth II’s Death Has More Impact Than I Imagined It Would

Summary

The author reflects on the unexpected emotional impact of Queen Elizabeth II's death, acknowledging the significance of her role as a powerful female figure and the end of an era, despite personal ambivalence towards the monarchy.

Abstract

The author was surprised by their own emotional response to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, initially believing they were indifferent to the royal family. The news prompted a reflection on the Queen's long reign and the cultural significance of the British monarchy, especially during the author's extended stay in England. The author's connection to England and the Queen's meticulous preparation for her succession highlighted the author's unpreparedness for the emotional weight of her death. While the author may not align with the royal family's politics or views, they recognize the importance of female representation in power, mourning the loss of such a prominent figure, and the need for more women in leadership roles globally.

Opinions

The author admits to a naive underestimation of the Queen's longevity and the impact of her death.
Despite not being a follower of the royal family, the author acknowledges familiarity with their narrative and a sense of loss, particularly from a feminist perspective.
The author expresses admiration for women in power, including Queen Elizabeth II and the new U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss, emphasizing the importance of representation.
The author believes that the world needs more women in positions of power and sees the Queen's death as a reduction in that representation.
The author was moved by the Queen's thoughtful preparation for her succession, ensuring a smooth transition, which contrasted with their own lack of preparedness for the emotional impact of her passing.

To be honest, I am quite shocked by my immediate reaction to the news

My mom texted me telling me to pass along “condolences on the death of the queen” to my boyfriend.

I knew that Queen Elizabeth was up in years and that her husband, Philip, died last year. However, I didn’t think that she would pass away anytime soon.

That was naive.

Regardless, I truly did not think I cared much as to the status of the Queen, or any member of the royal family for that matter, until I realized that Prince Charles is now King — and Prince William is in line after him.

As much as I have looked away and have paid little attention to “the royal family”, I am familiar with their basic story.

I started learning more a couple of years ago when I visited England for a few months and ended up getting stuck there for 8 months due to lockdown laws.

I ended up loving England and look forward to visiting again.

After coming across lots of positive press about the Netflix show The Crown I began watching it but couldn’t get into it. I stopped after the first or second episode.

Diana’s death, and all of the controversy surrounding it, happened during the time that I was a late teenager/

I was shocked that so many people around the world seemed to care a great deal about this woman whom I never gave much thought.

My heart went out to her two children since her death was so sudden and they were so young.

That is not the case with Queen Elizabeth II.

Apparently she has been preparing for this eventuality with precision and care.

PSYCHOLOGY|CULTURE|POLITICS

Queen Elizabeth II’s Death Has More Impact Than I Imagined It Would

To be honest, I am quite shocked by my immediate reaction to the news

What Is There To Love And Miss About A Small Town In Southeast England?

Apparently, much more than expected and I’ve photos to prove it

I was the one unprepared.

This is a Bloody Problem

And here’s what you can do to help fix it

Representation matters.

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