Queen Elizabeth II dies
Syed Ahrar Hashmi
Senior Software Engineer at VWITS India | HR & Digital Transformation | SuccessFactors | Consulting |
Imagine a person who was not born to be the monarch, became, so early in her life, participated in the relief of World War 2, witnessed the unraveling of an empire, the sun setting on the greatest empire, a country losing its prominence, never held practical powers but still, became the symbol of what a country is and, what it stands for. This was the life of Queen Elizabeth II - the longest reigning female monarch in history. A life our grandparents, parents and, we have been witnessing since we were born. 96 years of age and, 70 years of service, an endurable legacy, a legacy that will mark the end of an era and, also as embers of a bygone era.
Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne on 6 Feb. 1952 upon the death of her father, King George VI. She was the heir apparent since 1936 and visited the then commonwealth countries as a part of goodwill gesture on part of the British Empire. British Empire was in its heyday during the period between the great wars. During the war, she was a part of the Auxiliary territorial service, with the rank of captain. After the end of the war, she celebrated the ending like any common Londoner. But then, who knew she would be the Queen so early?
King George VI died in 1951, thereby consequently making princess Elizabeth II, the new Queen. Her reign saw the dismantling of the British Empire, loss of territory, loss of its world status, and, much more. She held through all these events with the stiff British upper lip policy.
Some of the major events that happened during her reign.
1.????Suez crisis, 1956 – Britain had already lost its empire with India in 1947 and had finally, lost its world power status with this event.
2.????British Empire to Commonwealth of Nations, 1960 – Almost all erstwhile British colonies had been independent by that time, reducing the British Empire to just a group of islands across the English Channel with a global language.
3.????De-colonization of Africa, 1960s
4.????Canada, 1977 - Canada became a sovereign country from a Dominion
5.????Tropping the color ceremony,1981- an assassination attempt
6.????Sensational Royal stories, 1980s – increased media scrutiny
7.????Fiji, 1987 – ?Fiji administration Coup, became a satire
8.????Gulf War, 1990 – Address for UN Congress
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9.????Annus horribilis, 1992 – divorces of her children
10.?Death of Princess Diana, 1997 – loss of prestige, she held her determination and, her actions paved the way for monarchy in the 21st century
11.?Loss of Hongkong, 1998 – last British territory to be freed
12.?Golden Jubilee, 2002 – Death of her family members
13.?Diamond Jubilee, 2012 – a tour of all commonwealth realms, became longest reigning monarch surpassing her illustrious ancestor Queen Victoria
14.?COVID – never give up, never despair speech
15.?Platinum Jubilee, 2022
Throughout all her reign she showed her grit, and determination, getting accustomed to criticism, media glare, increased scrutiny, public behavior, handling royals, taxes, high standards of morality with the stiff British upper lip. Personally, I used to admire her for her determination and, high morals and, never give up, never despair attitude something which is lost in today’s world and, had truly become part of à bygone era or the Elizabethan era. It is this morality and, the reverence it inspired, that was the key to the monarchy’s survival in Britain both during Queen Victoria’s times and the same can be said during Queen Elizabeth II’s times.
I hope that the new king - King Charles III lives up to his mother’s ideals, morals, and, principles. Britain will now wake up to a new prime minister, a new monarch, and hopefully, a new world order.
God bless the Queen.
May God save the King!