“Grief is the Price We Pay for Love.” - Queen Elizabeth II
Millions of people around the world are grieving the loss of Queen Elizabeth II, the longest serving monarch of any country in living memory. In fact, the UK celebrated the Platinum Jubilee (70th anniversary) of her ascension to the throne in June this year, beating the previous record held by Queen Victoria. However, she was actually coronated in 1953. This was one of the first events that was telecast live in colour.
During her extraordinary reign, she has travelled more widely than any other monarch (or indeed any other world leader) – and one third of her total overseas visits have been to Commonwealth countries. She is believed to have visited over 117 countries. Ironically, it was only in 2011 that she visited neighbouring Ireland, which was also the first visit there by a British Monarch since Irish Independence. Northern Ireland remains part of the UK, but there is a movement for unification with Ireland. Queen Elizabeth made a historic visit to West Germany in 1965. This was first German visit by a British monarch in 52 years and helped heal the wounds of WW II, which were still fresh by this time.
The Queen had a special place in her heart for Sri Lanka and so did her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh. In 1954, just five months after her coronation, Queen Elizabeth II engaged in a Royal Visit to Sri Lanka. This was the first visit to Sri Lanka by a reigning monarch. She was accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh.
The ten-day tour included a royal procession through Colombo where she opened the first session of the second Parliament of Ceylon, a train ride to Kandy, and tours of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, and Nuwara Eliya. She received a rousing welcome from Sri Lankans wherever she went. Of course, Sri Lanka was still a Dominion at this time and was Sri Lanka’s Head of State.
At the time of her death, she was still Head of State in 15 countries other than the UK, including Australia, Canada and New Zealand, where the King or Queen is represented by a Governor General. Barbados opted to become a Republic recently, severing this link and Bahamas too is contemplating such a move. There is a growing Republican movement in Australia too and also in the UK itself.
Sri Lanka became a Republic in 1972 with the adoption of a new Constitution and also gave up the name Ceylon. Just nine years after Sri Lanka became a Republic, the Royal Couple visited Sri Lanka again in 1981 to witness the construction of the Victoria Dam, Sri Lanka’s largest hydroelectric project, constructed by a UK firm. She also participated in many other ceremonies in the island, including the opening of the British Council at Alfred House Gardens in Colombo. President J.R. Jayewardene and Prime Minister Ranasinghe Premadasa accompanied her on most occasions. Just one year later, Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher visited Sri Lanka to open the Victoria Dam.
On the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Independence, Her Majesty issued a public message stating, “The relationship between our two countries has continued to grow over the years, and it is my hope that the connection between our people continues to flourish in the years to come”.
As Head of the Commonwealth, the Queen has helped build a unique family of nations spanning every continent, including Sri Lanka. In a previous Commonwealth Day message, Her Majesty said: “It is always inspiring to be reminded of the diversity of the people and countries that make up our worldwide family. We are made aware of the many associations and influences that combine through Commonwealth connection, helping us to imagine and deliver a common future.”
The Duke of Edinburgh had a personal connection to Sri Lanka. He served in the Royal Navy and took part in active service during the Second World War. This included time spent in Sri Lanka. The Duke of Edinburgh assisted a naval team surveying the harbour in Trincomalee. He purchased a new car to drive himself there and back, and the car is now displayed at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo. Sri Lankans hope that the new King (Charles III) will also visit Sri Lanka to further cement these bonds. In fact, many Sri Lankans bought television sets for the first time to watch his marriage to Diana, which was one of the first events to be telecast here live via satellite.
As a result of her affinity to the former colonies, the Queen proposed the idea of forming a Commonwealth of States. This had just seven countries initially. Today, membership has grown to 54 countries, though many have questioned its relevance in today’s unipolar world. However, the Commonwealth Games, concluded recently in Birmingham, UK, remains a major event to showcase the talents of Commonwealth sportsmen and women.
Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was not even directly in line to the throne when she saw the light of day on April 21, 1926. Her favourite uncle was the King (Edward VIII) and if everything went well, the Crown would have passed to his offspring some day.
But on December 10, 1936 King Edward abdicated over an affair with a commoner and the Crown was passed to Elizabeth’s father King George VI. Just 16 years later, with the sudden passing away of the King, the Crown was thrust on Elizabeth, who had by then been married for five years to Prince Philip Mountbatten of Greece and Denmark. At the time of her Coronation (on June 2, 1953), she had two children, Charles and Anne.
The Queen, who first wore the Crown at just 26, held on to that for the next 70 years, becoming the longest-serving British monarch in the process (even worldwide, only King Louis XIV of France had ruled for a longer period).
The Queen has seen the arrival of 15 British Prime Ministers, including new British PM Liz Truss just three days ago. Truss is believed to be one of the last persons outside her family to have seen her before her demise. She also saw 14 US Presidents come and go and most recently welcomed President Joe Biden. She had also received the blessings of six Popes during her long reign.
Personally, the loss last year of her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip (99) was a crushing blow to the Queen. The departure of this famous Royal Couple from our midst marks the end of an era but also the beginning of another – that of King Charles III (73). He will no doubt strive to make the monarchy more relevant and more appealing to the public. However, some analysts boldly predict that the British monarchy could end within the next 100 years, perhaps before or after Prince George (son of Prince William) ascends to the throne. Premier Truss perhaps inadvertently summed up this feeling when she ended her Downing Street eulogy with the three words “God Save the King”.
“I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else - I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations.” - Queen Elizabeth II