Friday 9 September 2022

The End of the Second Elizabethan Era


I grew up in a Royalist household. I wouldn't say I'm a royalist but I do have a great fondness for of the Royal family, especially the late Queen.

Growing up we had many royal items in the house, such as decorative plates upon the wall, novelties of silver spoons, thimbles and cups celebrating each royal and specific events; every big event was even kept for prosperity via newspaper cuttings.

My mum worked for the MOD and always had a sense of her service on behalf of the Queen. One personal highlight was not only meeting the Queen twice for her role but in one of those instances being awarded a Commendation of Service by her; given for 40 years of commitment as a civilian.

However, the sense of mum's enjoyment and childlike giddiness was something us, as a household, all shared in.

Admittedly, however, as a child I never really appreciated what they stood for. I, like 87% of the UK population, had only ever experienced one Monarch. I took her and them for granted.  She just existed and her family were just part of a system that created bank holidays, street parties and the odd televised event that we were forced to watch.

Yet, the Queens passing has shown how important this actually was. My parents grew up in war torn Britain. An era of limited choices, persecution and an iron will to stand up against it; all with the monarchy being at the heart of it.

That generation had the knowledge that other European monarchies and their historical institutions were abolished by a sweeping republican movement.

Despite this, the British people recognised that this monarchy embodied this stance of "us". The princesses, like millions of others, were evacuated in WW2 and despite recommendations King George VI and other royals stayed in hostile London. We were literally all in it together.




Then this young girl in the spotlight became a princess and then suddenly Queen; fulfilling a watchable real life fairy tale come true for millions of girls across the world.



This is where I see my mum's fondness. This resolute presence of light and strength, sharing in national actions together whilst rising as a female role model.

Within the following years this immovable institution become something new, something to cherish.

There's been a quote by Philip Larkin, written for the Silver jubilee, being shared stating:

In times when nothing stood 
  but worsened, or grew strange
  there was one constant good: 
  she did not change.”

There's elements of truth here. Her commitment to her people, to help others and her service to the body of her "Great imperial family" stood still, in resolute strength. However, I personally believe it was their ability to change in adversity that saw them succeed where others didn't.

Of course there's been drama and negative press towards them.

They have upheld antediluvian traditions, adhered to strict behavioural protocols with aspects of their personal life under constant scrutiny. Their existence has been one with an underlying presence of racism with ties to slavery and Nazism whilst not ignoring basic wrongful handling of situations like divorce, Diana's death and Andrews recent behaviour.

However, It would be erroneous NOT to recognise what the sovereign brings to our country. A sense of stability and continuity, national identity, unity and pride. Whilst recognising their contribution to our country from tourism and their support with hundreds of charities.

What is very clear is that we have now entered a point in history that's been lost for multiple generations.

Our second Elizabethan era is now over and we enter what becomes the third Caroline era.

What's been a break from a changing of monarchs, celebrating longevity of royal reign, has NOW been restored. A generation that's ONLY known her, her presence and her image will now know others and what they represent. They will witness changes to positions within 54 different countries within our commonwealth with some seeking republican status.

An era of unimaginable change of things unconsidered for over 70 years such as Flags being restitched, letter/post boxes, uniform of services like the police changing the royal cypher to a highlight the uniqueness of the now reigning monarch (E11R/ER to C111R/CR) postage stamps, passports, national anthem, currency and even down to elements of Parliament.

Despite all of this I personally think the thing many of us here in the UK are struggling with is the family aspect. The Queen was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of us all. Outwardly it's not a private familiar feeling of loss but a public one for she will always be those things to us who haven't known anything other.


Change may be difficult and we will all reflect on our memories whilst embracing her own words:

“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again."

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