Grief for the Queen Mixes With Criticism of the Monarchy

Queen Elizabeth II was remembered by ordinary Britons, world leaders and other royals for her grace, humor and longevity. Others had more conflicted views on the monarchy, opening a tense divide.

It was the longest reign of any monarch in British history, more than 70 years, and most of the world's population alive now has known no other British monarch other than Queen Elizabeth II. So the reaction to her death was global and personal.

Often, with the death of a prominent figure, the world may sigh and move quickly.

But the reaction on Thursday sounded different, more sincere, and at times intense — including blatant anti-royal tensions that permeated an outpouring of grief on social media and in the news around the world.

“I feel like we weren't ready for that because everyone was saying she would outlive us all,” said William Suttle, 28.

Music production student in England. “You see her face everywhere. She is in everyone’s pocket, and now we will have kings for generations and generations.”

Many leaders' official reactions read as ready-made feelings that have long been prepared and then refined. But some seemed real,

As if an important constant in life had suddenly disappeared.

Emmanuel Macron, France's president, said the Queen embodies the "continuity and unity" of the British nation for more than 70 years. "I remember her as a friend of France, a kind-hearted Queen who made a lasting impression in her country and in her century," he wrote on Twitter.

As William Ruto, Kenya's President-elect said: "We will miss the friendly relations she had with Kenya and her memories may continue to inspire us." He described her leadership of the Commonwealth - the territories once ruled by the British Empire - as "remarkable", even as its size and importance diminished.

But the South African political party, Economic Freedom Fighters, said in a statement that it would not mourn the Queen because "her death for us is a reminder of a very tragic period in this country and the history of Africa". She added during her long reign,

"Not once did she acknowledge the atrocities committed by her family against the aborigines that Britain had conquered all over the world."

Elizabeth has been a constant presence in the lives of millions outside Britain, a model of discretion and service. She ascended to the throne at the age of 25, just after World War II, and died as Europe once again faced war and aggression.

Historian David Cannadine once said that Queen Elizabeth II's legacy would include transition and decline -

Changing British society to a “more fluid, multicultural, more secular society” and “downsizing the British Empire into the British Commonwealth, downsizing Britain as a great power.”

BY
ProBuzzFeed