As we all know by now, Queen Elizabeth passed away this past week at the age of 96.
It’s not shocking when someone that advanced in years passes, it’s kind of expected. But this one felt different. She had been the queen 20 years longer than I have been alive. She is the only British monarch most of planet Earth remembers. She was quite literally always there. And it felt like she always would be. And now she’s gone.
For the most part, the international community has been expressing their sorrow and condolences to the Queen’s family. There have been a few people who are bringing up the unsavory things that the monarchy represents. And that is certainly their right, but I would argue that there is plenty of time to have that discussion, so maybe let’s not have it right now. A family has long their beloved mother and grandmother. A country who’s had the same figurehead for 70 years is processing the passing of the torch to the new King Charles III as well as the first Princess of Wales since the passing of Diana in the newly minted Princess Catherine of Wales.
For now, it’s OK to just be sad about the passing of a true cultural icon. The purses. The Corgis. The smiles that were usually accompanied by a twinkle in her eye. It’s weird and a little unsettling to think we won’t see those ever again.
RIP Queen Elizabeth. You will truly be missed.