The end of a royal era

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and its surrounding provinces, has passed away after 70 years of rule. After being crowned at the age of 26, her legacy as queen spanned several generations.

Used with permission from Julian CaldeR/wikimedia commons

Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch of the United Kingdom and its surrounding provinces, has passed away after 70 years of rule. After being crowned at the age of 26, her legacy as queen spanned several generations.

Lael Ingram, Public Relations and Social Media Manager
September 27, 2022

The death of Queen Elizabeth II impacted billions around the world and tensions surrounding the future of the British monarchy are rising. However, as citizens of the U.K. mourn the loss of their beloved queen, others have taken to social media platforms to share their thoughts about her. 

Queen Elizabeth II was born April 21, 1926 and was crowned queen in 1952 when she was only 26 years old. The queen lived for an astounding 96 years and reigned for 70 of those years. She lived through major events from great economic crisis like the Great Depression, to global health phenomena like the COVID-19 pandemic. Citizens in the United Kingdom were hit with waves of grief and deep sadness at the loss of their ruler. 

According to CBS news, following her death on Sept. 8, newly crowned King Charles III ordered that the usual 12 day mourning period be extended for a week past the late queen’s funeral on Sept. 19. During this mourning period, the UK will experience a mass economic shut down and most companies will be closed. 

British Airways is one company that will stay open and continue to provide flights throughout the mourning period. However, in a recent tweet they shared their respects for the queen by saying, “We are deeply honored and proud to have flown the queen on a number of occasions, moments which we will always cherish.” 

Many British citizens shared the same sentiments and deep respect for the queen. Following her death world famous chef Gordon Ramsey tweeted, “You will be so missed, a truly remarkable woman who gave so much to us all in Great Britain and worldwide.” 

However, it cannot be said that these sentiments were shared around the world. Many citizens in other countries flooded the internet with memes, condolences, and controversial feelings regarding her death and the British monarchy. 

For example, user @roun_sa_ville sarcastically tweeted, “Please be respectful when talking about the Queen. She was a head of state, a monarch, a mother to multiple pedophiles and most importantly a devoted cousin to her husband.” 

The queen influenced many lives indirectly. Her presence as a leader for the past 70 years has been a staple for many people, but not necessarily understood. 

History teacher Mitch Perdrix explains, “I struggle with how much people get wrapped up with the royal family. I never really quite understood it.” 

WHHS student Lizzy Rebber ‘24, also shared her perspective saying, “Her being the queen of the British monarchy impacted my life a lot because you know, seeing a very strong woman in power and as a woman seeing someone else who’s like me, able to be in charge and lead a country, is very empowering.”

For some, the queen’s impact was more direct. Uju Anya, 46 year-old Nigerian professor at Carnegie Mellon, tweeted before the queen’s death saying, “I heard the chief monarch of theiving raping genocidal empire is finally dying. May her pain be excruciating.” 

When criticized for her comments after the queen’s death was announced, she defended her stance stating, “If anyone expects me to express anything but disdain for the monarch who supervised a government that sponsored the genocide that massacred and displaced half my family and the consequences of which those alive today are still trying to overcome, you can keep wishing upon a star.” 

Regardless of public sentiments, many agree on one thing. Queen Elizabeth II’s impact around the world, whether seen as positive or negative, was huge, and her 70 year reign will be remembered by many.