The death of Queen Elizabeth II marks the end of an era, not only for the United Kingdom, but for the entire world. She was a remarkable woman, steadfast in her commitment to duty — to her country and her Commonwealth — who exuded both confidence and a certain humility. As queen, she invariably put the demands of her position — it feels tawdry to call it “a job” — above whatever personal impulses she might have felt.
As the longest-serving monarch in British history, she witnessed extraordinary events. Since ascending to the throne, however, perhaps the most enduring trend has been her country’s struggle to find its place in a world.
The second half of the 20th century has not been kind to Great Britain. The Commonwealth, of which she was a symbol, has been transformed, and her passing has, amidst the outpouring of grief, also prompted a spirited debate about the meaning of the British Empire and her — and her family’s — role within it.
Elizabeth was an unexpected monarch. Her uncle, Edward VIII, abdicated the throne to pursue American socialite Wallis Simpson. Her father took his place, ruling as George VI until his death in 1952. Elizabeth ascended to the throne, although her coronation was held the following year.
During her reign, Britain had 15 prime ministers, among them Winston Churchill, Anthony Eden, Margaret Thatcher and Boris Johnson. One of her last official acts was meeting Liz Truss, the newly selected prime minister, and asking her to form a government.
As a girl, Elizabeth was a figure of quiet courage and fortitude, offering encouragement, solace and thanks to the people of Britain as they endured World War II. As queen, she witnessed a decade later the humiliation of the Suez Crisis and the nadir of British power.
While on the throne, more than 20 countries left the British Empire to claim their independence. She watched Britain join the European Communities and then leave it 47 years later. She lost family — her second cousin, Lord Mountbatten — to “The Troubles” when he was assassinated by members of the Provisional Irish Republican Army.
Her personal life was no less tumultuous. In sharp contrast to the stoicism and calm that she demonstrated, family dramas played out in the public eye. Her children and grandchildren had messy and acrimonious marriages, divorces and affairs. There was no doubt about her devotion to them, however, and that love was another, formidable component of her image.
While duty and service were the hallmarks of her life and reign, those who knew Elizabeth best also spoke of her “wicked sense of humor.” The world was given two glimpses of that side of her: once in a video for the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympic Games in which she appeared to jump out of a helicopter with James Bond, and in a second video to mark her Platinum Jubilee in 2022 with Paddington Bear, during which she confessed to having her own secret stash of marmalade sandwiches.
There has been an outpouring of grief and sympathy at her death around the world. The British Embassy in Tokyo daily has had flowers left at its gates and there continue to be lines to sign the book of condolences.
Members of Japan’s imperial family have their own memories of the queen. She met three generations, starting with Akihito, then crown prince, who attended Elizabeth’s coronation on behalf of his father, Hirohito, in June 1953. Both Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako studied in Britain before their marriage — the crown prince met the queen while there — and they will be attending the funeral.
Any honest assessment of the queen’s reign must also acknowledge the extraordinary costs extracted by the empire over which she ruled. She was not responsible for the excesses of the British Empire or the colonial system, but she sat at its apex.
The very idea of a monarchy is redolent of privilege, class and a huge bureaucracy that is at some point — many points — indifferent to its subjects. That Elizabeth strove to rise above that — and succeeded — does not negate its existence or the pain it created. Nor does the mass outpouring of grief and sense of loss many feel at her death.
Her son and successor, Charles III, inherits the throne of a country in turmoil. He has been prepared, not only studying but standing in for his mother, but for some things there can be no real preparations.
The United Kingdom has a new prime minister, its fourth in six years; a revolving door in the office of a country’s top leader is never a good sign. The decision to leave the European Union continues to be a subject of passionate debate as many of its promised rewards remain distant prospects. The economic difficulties created by Brexit have been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Many Britons worry about being able to pay their heating bills as winter approaches.
Brexit has also reopened questions about Northern Ireland, and many in Scotland now call for a second referendum on independence. The existence of the United Kingdom itself may well be at stake.
Queen Elizabeth, with her unyielding sense of duty and commitment to service, helped fill the gaps as her countrymen grappled with these questions. Amid the many memorials and remembrances, one phrase has been repeated time and time again: “She was the glue that held the nation together.” That glue is now gone at a time when Britain may need it most. She will be missed.
The Japan Times Editorial Board
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.