The Queen

Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, and fourteen other realms, has passed away. 

It is the end of an era that has lasted my entire life – 70 years. 

Many of my non-Canadian friends may not realize this, but she was the Queen of fifteen countries that are, like Canada, constitutional monarchies.

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Historians will write volumes about her reign, during which she presided over great societal change and met hundreds of world leaders and tens of millions of people around the world.

I had the honour to meet her on three occasions during my diplomatic career and they remain etched in my memory.

In many parts, it is commonplace to disparage monarchy and extoll republicanism.

But by studying the British and Canadian monarchy one can appreciate the unifying force that a non-political Head of State can bring to a country. The monarchy was a source of strength during World War II when everything seemed dark, and defeat seemed near.

During the war, she served as a member of the armed forces as a mechanic. Unlike other European royal families, the House of Windsor did not flee to Canada. Rather, they remained in London and shared the hardships of the British people at war. This cemented their relationship with Britons from all walks of life and political persuasions.

Then Princess Elizabeth spoke to the citizens of the Commonwealth on her 21st birthday in 1947 and said, “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service.”

And serve she did.

Her reign covered a segment of history of much change, global political and social upheaval, economic crisis, and technological transformations. While the United Kingdom and Canada changed governments from right to left with regularity, she remained above the political fray and acted like an anchor amid swirling seas.

Queen Elizabeth served brilliantly as Head of the Commonwealth, guiding Britain through the transitions from colonizer to partner for scores of developing and developed countries. The Commonwealth provides a forum for microstates like Kiribati and Tuvalu to work as equals with larger states like India, Canada and Australia in search of equitable solutions to the myriad challenges that we all face.

Twice I attended Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings, and twice I saw the affection and respect all Commonwealth leaders had for her and how she was able to form lasting friendships with leaders of all religions, races, and nationalities. This served the United Kingdom and Canada well since both are multicultural countries most of whose citizens had a deep affection for the Monarch.

One of her major triumphs was to work quietly with Commonwealth leaders like Canada’s Prime Minister Brian Mulroney to bring an end to apartheid in South Africa and be the first Head of State to receive then President Nelson Mandela. One felt that she did not share Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s political views nor the impact that Thatcher had on the United Kingdom throughout her term in office but publicly, the Queen always maintained an aura of discretion and political neutrality.

While she had a successful monarchy, her family did give her problems at times. 

The rocky marriage and divorce of now King Charles III and Lady Diana Spencer cast a negative aura over her reign at the time – which she herself called her “annus horribilis”. As well, at the time of Princess Diana’s death, she misread the mood of the British people by failing to understand the public adulation for the late princess and reacting slowly.

Her son, Prince Andrew, has been caught up in scandals of his own and court cases continue. 

And, finally, the issues concerning Prince Harry and his wife continue to be fodder for the tabloids.

Yet above it all, she maintained her poise and a calm demeanor, and never once allowed personal feelings or opinions to interfere with her professional duties. She never faltered in her sense of duty nor did she ever act in anything but a perfect manner.

Thus, her legacy will be positive, and her conduct seen as exemplary.

She will be hard to replace.

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Edición: Laura Espejo