A remarkable woman will no longer be with us. 2 days ago she accepted and appointed her 15th Prime Minister.
Around the world leaders are paying tribute. TV stations are headlining (CNN, NBC, Fox for readers in the USA). In Paris in the ultimate tribute- the Eiffel Tower’s lights been switched off.
Most of us know only Elizabeth II as head of state. All of us have to get used to having a King and singing ‘God Save The King’. True some folk will be grumbling about the time being spent on her passing. Their words will be of little consequence over the next few days.
Let me just bring to mind but a few items I can recall:
She was instrumental over the years in the solidifying the Commonwealth of Fifty-Six nations, some with no history of being part of the old British Empire
In 2011 She visited The Republican of Ireland for 4 days and not the advised 2. Against the advice of her folk, she visited the Garden of Remembrance (dedicated to those who died in the 1916 rising). Later she was to shake hands with Martin McGuiness (Minster in the Ulster Power Sharing Govt and previously senior IRA officer).
Trump behaved himself during a state visit.
During a time of strikes Rail Workers have called off two coming days of strikes and the Postal Workers are cancelling one current two days of strikes. As marks of respect to Elizabeth II.
There will be many other tributes and recollections available on the world’s media which you may read if you so wish.
Elizabeth II as one other great person before her, now belongs to the ages.
Writing Despite Computers and Programmes 
Even though I had been expecting it for the last day or two, this knocked the breath out of me and tears rolled freely down my cheeks. She wasn’t technically ‘my’ Queen, but I would have been glad if she had been. She was a caring person, an intelligent woman, and perhaps the last such leader. She was a great woman and she will be missed by many on both sides of the pond.
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While she upheld her role with dignity – something that many people fail to do – I have never viewed her as a leader. That was not her role. She represents an institution that is an essential part of our form of democracy. Having said that, she seems to have been been a kind, thoughtful and intelligent person whose privite discussions with political leaders behind the scenes have been been very influential.
Being one of her 5 milluon subjects in Aotearoa, I see her as an inspiration rather than as a leader.
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I wholeheartedly agree Barry.
She was swift to comprehend the exact dimensions of her duty and place in the scheme of things.
Thus she became a wielder of ‘Soft Influence’. An inspiration indeed.
It says much about her influence that commentators in here are now asking the question ‘What next for the UK?’
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I like the concept of a wielder of soft influence. Perhaps what she did was to gently nudge rather than lead 🙂
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There is an account of the late Jim Callaghan UK PM 1976-79 a crisis ridden time in the UK.
At a meeting with the late Queen he confessed one problem was quite beyond him. He did not know what to do. And asked what she might do.
She replied, he said with the proverbial twinkle in her eye.
‘That’s what you are paid for Prime Minister,’
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Thanks, Barry! You’re right, she had no ‘real’ power, but she did still have power behind the scenes, and she commanded the respect of far many more than have respected any Prime Minister in recent history, I think. She will be missed all around the globe, I’m sure.
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I think Jill she was ‘my’ Queen for folk beyond the UK and certainly her personality transcended many borders and barriers. (Apparently she and Michelle Obama swapped opinions and shared views on the woes of wearing high heels for public display).
Although a ‘Constitutional’ Monarch with no true executive power, there is much discussion in the UK on ‘what will happen’ now Elizabeth II is no longer here. That speaks volumes for ‘soft influence’.
There will not be one of her like for many an age.
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Indeed, I always thought of her as somewhat ‘my’ Queen, too … she was just such a fine lady. I can see where she and Michelle Obama would get along famously, both are gracious ladies with a great sense of humour! Although she had no true ‘power’ per the Constitution, I think she had power nonetheless. I wonder what sort of King Charles will be? I think he’s a good man, but quite different from his mum, I think.
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His first speech made yesterday has been well received:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/09/charles-iiis-first-speech-what-the-king-said-and-why-it-was-important
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Indeed he did and it was. I saw a few clips from it this morning and was moved. I think that maybe he has what it takes.
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By tradition we will never what passes between Prime Minster and Sovereign.
What words would have been exchanged between King Charles III and PM Liz Truss, on thursday, both new to their respective jobs?
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An interesting question! I wonder if Liz Truss felt truly saddened by the Queen’s death? I certainly did, and still do.
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To be honest from my own Civil Service perspective I think if I had been in her place my first reaction would have been ‘Oh frib. The Queen has died on my watch. What do I do? I did not sign up for this,’
That said, like the vast majority of us I think she would have felt truly saddened. When a plank of stability gets taken away you get shaken, and not a little frightened.
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Yes, I can see that as a very honest reaction, whether it were Truss or Churchill! The worst thing that could happen just one day into your tenure! Well, almost the worst … a nuke hitting London would be worse. Yes, it’s like removing a brick from the foundation of a house. Charles will, I think, fill the space nicely, but it will take time.
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Well he does simultaneously annoy folk on the Right and the Left by treading on their political toes – ssssso that’s not a bad start.
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Agreed! Takes talent to annoy them all!
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Even though I’m not particularly keen on the monarchy, I must admit Queen Elizabeth fulfilled her role with grace.
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She did indeed Audrey.
For someone who had no practical day-to-day executive power she wielded influence and renown throughout the world.
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