Elizabeth II, Queen of all colours
This is a modest tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, an endearing and historic personage who was and will be forever Queen Elizabeth II.
The British Royal Court officially announced at 18:30 on the evening of Thursday 8 September that "the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral" (Scotland).
Buckingham was filled with flowers. And the news broadcasted images of the Queen in her various appearances, public and private, during her long reign. She was as elegant as usual, dressed in her colourful outfits and matching hats, almost fluorescent in colour, as cheerful as they were striking. This contrasted with the mourning black outfits of the presenters themselves.
During her long reign of 70 years, she witnessed the evolution and political configuration of the new world we know today and which will continue to evolve, this time, in her absence. But the monarchy is guaranteed by the English themselves. Indeed, it is unimaginable to conceive of an England without a crown.
Her unquestionable reign was overshadowed by Lady Di's heartbreaking account of her ill-fated marriage to her then eternal heir, Prince Charles, now King Charles III. But the Queen eventually overcame this bump in the road with patience and dedication, creeping closer to her people. At the same time, she kept a certain distance so as not to fall into populism. An attitude from which emanated the fascination with which she seduced both her people and the world.
Queen Elizabeth II had many virtues. Above all, her spirit of conciliation, harmony and coexistence stands out. Perhaps her greatest secret was the fact that she did not express any opinion, displaying the neutrality that was her due. It is for this reason that his personality has been well accepted by the different sensibilities in Great Britain.
Moreover, she was able to play an excellent role as a symbol of political and territorial unity around her figure, cementing the country's institutions. In politics, she was able to preserve the affection of her former colonies during the decolonisations that the world in general, and Britain in particular, experienced throughout the 19th century. This allowed the creation of the Commonwealth by maintaining a fraternal relationship, without hatred or revenge, with these newly independent states.
Successive British governments were also able to integrate the cultural diversity, with its colours, smells and flavours, from this great Commonwealth and other parts of the world, on the same terms as the British. In fact, Rishi Sunak, who a few days ago contested the premiership against Liz Truss, is originally from the Punjab (India), and the Mayor of London himself, Sadiq Khan, is originally from Pakistan, to cite just two of thousands of cases.
When European monarchies were struggling, all eyes turned enviously to Queen Elizabeth II for her solidity, propriety and, above all, discretion. The Queen radiated outward respect. Sultan Farouk of Egypt said on his way to exile that "in a few years there will be only five kings left, the English crown and the four kings of the pack". The Sultan was right about the strength of the British crown but wrong about the other, for there are more kings than just those of the pack of cards.
However, there is no doubt that the demise of Elizabeth II would mark a turning point in national and international politics. Charles III, a character very much given to giving his opinion, was given the magic of the eternal Queen. This Baraka, in Arabic, was an indispensable support for the 15 prime ministers who ruled during Elizabeth II's reign, from Churchill to the newly elected Liz Truss, whose transfer of power took place at Balmoral for the first time in the 70 years of her reign and where she died just two days later.
The death of Elizabeth II shocked not only the British people but all heads of state and government, as well as citizens around the world.
For television presenters to dress in the colours of Elizabeth II's outfits would be a great tribute to a great Queen who was also a Queen of all people and all colours.