image courtesy of The Hill
I understand that this is a very somber, sad time for many people across the world and this article is not meant to offend - indeed - I write because this is a momentous event and royalists or not, British subjects or not - the world has changed.
I often describe myself as an Anglophile and read much, watch 1000s of documentaries on the subject of British history. And for everything I think I know, there is perhaps that much more that I am ignorant of.
There are times in our lives when something so monumental occurs that we will forever remember where we were and what we were doing when the news comes: the Twin Towers, the death of Prince and Michael Jackson, the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle - the death of the Queen is one of these times. We will all remember what we were doing and where we were when the news came.
From the Plantagenet line of Kings, to William the Conquerer to the six marriages of Henry VIII, the beheading of Anne Boleyn, to Elizabeth I, the abdication of King Edward VIII, the marriage, divorce and death of Princess Diana and to the marriages and children of William and Harry - this Royal Family has been visible to all the world for over a 1000 years. There have been many a “shocking” event for this family throughout history that we can read about.
Being an American, I am not a Monarchist/Royalist, but understand and respect what that means to others. Queen Elizabeth II has been the Monarch my entire lifetime and I too am now wondering what may lie ahead for the British Commonwealth. But mostly, what I have been contemplating is what being a Royal really means.
Watching King Charles III arrive back at Buckingham Palace with the Queen Consort Camilla - I am struck by the sense of duty. He - King Charles, must sublimate his own personal grief over the death of not just his Queen, but his Mother and come before the masses to assure them of the continuity of the line. It made me remember the funeral procession of Diana - watching those young boys walking behind the coffin of their mother - unable to hold their heads up - but doing so because it was tradition and for “the people”. I can remember sitting on my sofa and crying as though someone had ripped my heart out. How difficult this must have been for them. And wondering how they were doing it?
Being a Royal - despite the brand/name recognition, the perks and privileges - is a hard job. Imagine not being allowed to show your true self and even in times of the deepest grief, having to present yourself in a manner which provides support for those under your rulership. I could not do it. It is too much for me to contemplate.
The Queen - only the third of the most famous rulers of the British Empire (Henry VIII, Elizabeth I) and only the second female to rule longer than any other King in the history of the country - coming to rule at age 25 and during WII - what a weight this must have been. And what her eyes have seen during her 70 year reign. Television, color television, space travel, the internet, computers, in-vitro fertlization, Gulf Wars one and two, the death of other rulers/heads of states, 15 Prime Ministers - the first, second and third female Prime Ministers, 13 US Presidents - the list is endless. She outlived her husband.
For me, a mere mortal in the face of the Monarchy - she was a remarkable figure - even though in all her years of ruling, she said very few words by which we were able to get to know what she thought or felt - I have nothing but respect and admiration for her and her ability to be what she was - a Queen. But I will also tell you, that whenever I saw her, I just wanted to hug her because she was like a grandmother to me.
Many people have messaged me privately on Twitter asking about the Queen and the new King Charles. Many have expressed fear about what happens next. Honestly, I don’t have the answers. This will be a time when memory (what things used to be like), history (a new couse is set for the Commonwealth) and time - will show the way. It is the people of Britain, and those who make the laws, that will steer the course of the new dawn of this country. I saw Liz Truss, the newly minted PM - meet the Queen just three days ago and then saw her this morning arriving at Buckingham Palace to greet the new King - all in a 72 hour period- a remarkable thing to see and contemplate being in that place at this time.
I will end this article with this observation and hope that for some of you it provides you with a bit of solace. There have been three times in my life when I have seen with mine own eyes, rainbows show up with the passing of extraordinary people:
The death of Bob Marley. The heavens opened up over Jamaica and as his body was driven around the island the sun suddenly came out and there was rainbow over the entire island.
The death of Prince. The heavens opened up over Paisley Park (his recording studio) and then suddenly the sun came out and a double rainbow appeared.
The death of the Queen. The heavens opened up over Buckingham Palace and then suddenly when the sun came out, there appeared the double rainbow over the Palace.
In my opinion, the rainbows appeared to let those of us left behind and grieving know that they were okay - their transformation was complete. But they also appear to let those of us left behind and grieving know that all will be well. Do not mourn. And do not mourn long.
All will be well.
I was very struck by the rainbow too. I didn't know that about Marley and Prince. It is very poignant.
People keep saying that Charles must be 'happy' to finally be King, but it was his mother that he lost. As you mentioned, It must be a very, very hard thing to juggle. I will keep him and all his family in my thoughts.