From Queen to King

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom has passed away after a 70 year reign, the longest of a British monarch in history. Her death comes at a time where Britain has welcomed a new PM in the form of Liz Truss. The Queen has been a stable part of Britain when we have been faced with political events such as Brexit. To witness her passing is a massive change in the future of our country, as we enter a new era not just under a different monarch, but as a Britain that is trying to find its place on the international stage after our departure from the EU and the navigation of the cost of living crisis. The Queen has always commanded such respect from other countries, so it will be interesting to see how Britain's reputation and status is affected by her passing.

The Queen's passing will inevitably force Britain to change, but the direction in which this will take place is unknown, given that we face trying times, with inflation at its highest in 40 years. Our politics, our relationships with world leaders and the way Britain is perceived is all subject to change depending on the next few months. At first glance, the pressing issue here is the monarchy vs republic debate: should the Royal Family be dismantled? Personally, this is besides the point at least in the short term, because the ramifications of the Queen's passing will affect every Brit regardless of their opinions on the Royal Family. In practical terms, our money and passports will be phased out and replaced with the new King Charles III's image. In political terms, our government's decisions can be impacted on some level by the monarch. For example, PM Truss is said to be reversing the ban on fracking, which would be disastrous for the environment. King Charles III has long been an advocate for the environment, so in his weekly meetings with the PM, he may share his own views on a cause he holds close to his heart.

There are many mixed feelings and emotions in the air, with the Queen's funeral taking place on Monday 19th September, an official bank holiday. London is busier than ever with people travelling to see the Queen lying in state in Westminster Abbey. At the same time, there are those protesting against the monarchy who have been arrested for disturbing the peace. Britain's next few months will be crucial in determining public mood, how much support will the new King have? Will there be a rise in the republican movement? How will British politics shift with the Queen's passing?

The country has arguably lost one of its greatest assets, and its response will define the start of the new British age. All that remains to be seen is how the public feels about the Royal Family and how other countries will view the Queen's passing. One thing is certain: the Queen's death makes Britain politically weaker, so what exactly will it take to recover, or to reinvent ourselves?

* Header photo obtained from: https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/other-sports/news/29877/12693132/queen-elizabeth-ii-has-died-aged-96 all rights reserved 

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