New King, New PM - The Changing Face of the U.K.

https://edition.cnn.com/uk/live-news/queen-elizabeth-death-reaction-news-09-09-22/index.html

Prime Ministers come and go, Queen Elizabeth had seen 15 of them during her 70-year reign!

As rich tributes pour in for her, what is hard to miss is the changing face of the U.K. – a new PM just two days ago, a new King now and a new future for the country, having recently lost its position as the world’s fifth largest economy.

Queen Elizabeth, who passed away yesterday (which, incidentally, was Mother Mary’s birthday) held the crown with elegance and dignity despite all the pain her children and grandchildren were pouring on her (no surprise as self-centricity has consistently been driving new generations) amid a never-ending debate over the future of monarchy.

She won the hearts of the people long before Princess Diana entered the scene to charm the world with her matchless beauty, genuine warmth and deep involvement in public service. Too many adjectives here, deservingly so, even if with some prejudice as I hold Diana on the same elevation as Bobby Fischer, the greatest ever chess champion the world has seen!

The Queen and late Princess Diana had some common strengths as could be seen from the way they won the love of people worldwide!

The social media and the paparazzi may have been unkind to the royal family. Individual privacy having been tossed out the door is a shame of our times.

Still, probity, decorum and a sense of purpose have defined their work.

That tradition may well continue under King Charles, though in the absence of Diana (he may now miss her more than ever before), his stature may evoke questions!

G Joslin Vethakumar