Dr. Arvind Kumar*
An era comes to an end as Queen Elizabeth passes away and leaves behind an unmatched legacy. Ironically the UK’s longest serving monarch, reigning for 70 years was not even expected to be the Queen. She had little chance of inheriting the kingdom until her uncle Edward VIII abdicated on December 11, 1936, making her father, King George VI and her presumed heir.
After taking up the responsibilities of a monarch after the demise of her father Elizabeth changed the monarchy by interacting with the populace through walkabouts, royal visits, and attendance at public events. She visited every Commonwealth nation at least once, demonstrating her unwavering dedication to the organization. Over the course of her reign, the Monarch oversaw a post-colonial era adjustment, acted as a living link to World War II Britain, and oversaw Brexit, which some have referred to as “a harsh divorce” from the European Union.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres conveyed his profound sorrow for Her Majesty the Queen’s departure and said, the 96-year-old Queen was admired by many for her “grace, dignity, and dedication around the world” as the UK’s longest-living and longest-reigning Head of State. Throughout decades of profound change, such as the decolonization of Africa and Asia and the development of the Commonwealth, she was a stabilizing presence. He recalled Queen Elizabeth II’s visits to the UN headquarters and described her as “a good friend of the UN.” She was devoted to a number of charity and environmental organizations and even addressed movingly to delegates at the COP26 climate negotiations in Glasgow.
With her demise, The Royal Family has now entered a time of mourning and Charles, the eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and a man who was born to rule, succeeded to the throne on Thursday after holding the position as intended heir for the longest period of time in the annals of the British monarchy but it is concerning whether Charles would ever feel the same reverence or love as was shown to his mother. As KingCharles III begins his reign as Britain’s new monarch, focus turns to howhe may use his position as head of state to promote causes that he’s been passionate about for decades — the environment and climate change, in particular,as well as otherphilanthropic efforts.
Throughout her 70 years on the throne and up until her death on Thursday, as monarch, Queen Elizabeth II sought to maintain strict political neutrality, going so far as not to vote. Against the tide of history and logic, she made a medieval anachronism somehow modern, a stoic old lady in a hat onto whom so much could be projected. Perhaps only the pope held as much sway, and she saw seven of them come and go during her record-breaking seven-decade reign. She made scrupulous neutrality appear easy, a simple matter of doing and saying nothing. But, as her son – the new king – demonstrated through his long, long apprenticeship, it’s harder than it looks. And while Charles has been careful not to tread too publicly, he does have a history of wading into politics, something over which some British officials have voiced concern that he may be more willing to do as king.
Nowhere has Charles been more outspoken than the threat posed by climate change.Last year, speaking at the opening ceremony of the COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, he warned that the time for addressing climate change had “quite literally run out.” In order to tackle the problem, he said, “We have to put ourselves on what might be called a war-like footing.” Whichever direction he goes, the king’s actions will be closely followed, and are all but assured to invite comparisons to the record established by Queen Elizabeth. The demise of Her Majesty has been saddening for the entire world and India in particular. With a long history, India and the UK have seen many ups and downs in their relationship but the Queen’s compelling personality made it simple to maintain good trust in the Commonwealth which is now expected to change, hopefully for the better and strengthen in creating a new cooperation and alliance suitable for this new century.
Time and again since, Elizabeth proved that she was — the first and perhaps the “last global monarch”, as the New York Times put it. The unknowable mystique she cultivated in a world ever more demanding of transparency may well die with her. Thus, the end of the second Elizabethan Age looks to be a monumental turning point, not just because a beloved queen has passed away but also because Charles will bring his own viewpoints to a position for which he has spent his whole life preparing as well as Commonwealths welcoming a new reign.
*President, India Water Foundation
