Queen-t’essential

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The news of queen’s demise erupted a lot of emotions, from loss to loathing the symbol of British colonialism. 

Emotions aside, the sheer length of Queen Elizabeth’s reign made her imagery in public memory as immortal.


My loyal following of BBC News over last two decades fed me regular doses of Westminster updates and of it’s occupants as a subsidiary interest. 


That aside, news about the Royal family could run a social media platform by itself. 


So what does the Queen and the Royal family mean to the world? 


To start with, British monarchy has interchangeably acted as an institution and as a family, or you may agree that as an individual on the throne. 


Together with long heritage, history and being integral part of UK’s political influence it has adapted and shaped it’s relevance. A mature global relations office has cultivated a direct line with major heads of state. That works as a soft power.


It is also keenly conscious of it’s ‘Royal’ or above-than-equal position in the minds of general public. The customary waving from the Buckingham Palace Balcony ‘above’ the cheering crowds is another of its many manifestations. 


The diminishing yet existence of Commonwealth as ex-colonies of the British monarchy and the several monuments provide the hardware for public consciousness. In the conversations of the elderly in these affected countries that range from anger to awe, there has been certain graphic to genetic memory transfer as well.


The Queen represented the face of this elaborate historical institution, carving and curating with changing times. 


The Royal infrastructure 


The dark history of subjugation, plunder and  extirpation of native communities cannot be washed away. It was a period of geopolitics, of lawless competition for territories and resources. 


I cannot think of a period in human history that was bereft of greed and political Machiavellianism. British colonialism was as much a marriage of hegemonistic politics and conniving trade. 


Significant number of these dynasties have perished or have dwindled to extinction over the last century. It is like nature intervened. 


In last few decades the British monarchy has shed that association and replaced with a more genial royal family, access and public service image.


While general obsession may continue with the marriages, separations and financial overreach, the new King can craft a new legacy.


It is about standing for a more balanced world; about using its large infrastructure and public attention to preservation and restoration of indigenous communities, work to give back to them and start making a visible difference at the bottom level. 


There may be several competing priorities from healthcare, hunger to climate change, but contributing to revival of the undermined is a good initiation.


That to me is standing up in contradiction with its past. 


And for the post Queen era, this is an essential handover and makeover. 

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