I’m writing this with a heavy heart today, having woken up to the news that Queen Elizabeth II has passed. I never met her, nor do I have any major feelings or affiliations towards the monarchy, but she has always been there – a constant in our lives as well as in global politics, and a woman who was never meant to inherit the throne, yet when it was her time to ascend, she served faithfully, dutifully and devotedly, even to her last days, greeting the new Prime Minister Liz Truss at Balmoral.

There is a lot of vitriol on Twitter (where else?) today comparing the Queen to Betty White. Yes, there is a history of colonialism from the family line of the Queen, but to hold her entirely responsible is rather odd, especially so soon after her passing. I wonder how these armchair trolls would react if they were to be held responsible for their predecessor’s actions, or for how they came to live where they are now?

A lesson that can be learnt from the Queen’s life, is that grace, humility and elegance never go out of style. No matter how baffled she was in a public setting, you would not see an ounce of discomfort on her face. Rather, it would be either her steely gaze or a faint smile on her lips. Even at the funeral of her beloved husband Prince Phillip, held during the ongoing COVID-19 lockdowns and she was forced to sit on her own away from her family, we saw a woman in mourning but still setting an example for her country. Queen Elizabeth was also a woman of her word. When she pledged to serve her country upon her ascension to the throne, she meant every word of it. Even through poor health, abdication was not on the cards. She evolved with the times (I made her sound like a Pokemon, didn’t I?) and continued to fulfil her duties through any means available. People who have met her and worked with her often spoke of her wicked sense of humour and ability to put people at ease, and whilst many criticized her for her handling of matters after Princess Diana’s death and Prince Andrew’s pedophile scandals, we can certainly learn from her other positive qualities.

I know it’s odd to mourn someone you never met, especially someone as privileged as the Queen, and I have spent all morning examining why I am feeling the way I do, but looking on social media and seeing the reactions and outpourings from people, I know I’m not alone. Whether you loved her or not, her remarkable life spanning a World War, 15 British Prime Ministers, a double dissolution and dismissal of an Australian government and Prime Minister and the fall of the Berlin Wall, had many milestones and achievements worthy of respect.

Historians will no doubt have many criticisms of Queen Elizabeth’s 70 year reign, but I am certain there will also be many teachable moments as part of her legacy.

Vale, Queen Elizabeth II. May you rest peacefully, reunited with Prince Phillip and your many corgis. The world won’t be the same without you and your constant presence, but we will learn to be without it.

Bx