Long Lived the Queen
Ask Charlie.
On Thursday evening in India, I received a call from a very close friend holidaying in London telling me that Queen Elizabeth II just passed away. Of course, it was not as if QE2 was very close to me or something, he had called up to speak to me and this happened while we were still conversing.
Here’s a disclaimer: I have never cared much for the British Queen or the Royal Family really. They are just a large family lucky to be cared for by taxpayers, performing ornamental duties which can actually be performed more efficiently by a rubber stamp president like we have. At a fraction of the cost. The biggest purpose the Royal Family serves is to provide regular grist to the English Tabloids and Media for popular consumption. They are just Kardashians with state sponsorship and protection.
So she died. Well, at the age of 96 it shouldn’t come as a big surprise. Apparently quite a few people are going to miss her. Perfectly understandable. She was head of State for over 70 years.
Now this is what gets my goat. She stayed in power for at least 20 years too long. Your Shyness, what was the message you were giving to the heir apparent, your eldest son Charles? He will go down in history having the dubious distinction of having been the heir apparent for almost 70 years! That is cruel on so many accounts. I’m trying to think all the possible reasons this may have happened.
- I, Me, Myself
Elizabeth was selfish, power besotted and did not want to give up the throne and all its trappings no matter what. She may have been an efficient monarch but must go down as one of the most selfish mothers ever. She could have easily abdicated earlier, say when she turned 75 and made Charles king. She would still have reigned for 50 years! Think of his frustration, wondering if he will ever get the throne.
2. The lad ain’t good enough
What if Charles was not worthy or capable of being King? With a retinue of servants and advisers does the monarch even need to think of what to say and do? It is not rocket science. Assuming he was so daft or unworthy with his personal affairs and stuff, then why is being made monarch now at the ripe old age of 73 years? He ain’t wine.
3. Indispensable
The British political scene was such that her presence was needed. I should just delete this point. You see how hard it is to justify any reason except reason no.1? The British public votes and decides on the government or policies it wants. If she was so capable, how did the Falkland War or Brexit happen? Did you say that those decisions are taken by Parliament and the people? Exactly my point. The Queen is just supposed to rubber stamp everything that Parliament decides. That includes inviting the one selected by the people’s representatives to take on the post of Head of Government. One of her final tasks was, she met Liz Truss at Balmoral Castle and invited her to be PM. I bet Charles could manage that very well thank you very much.
There is something called aging gracefully. That doesn’t just refer to how you appear physically but also what you do in your golden years. I am afraid Elizabeth didn’t manage the latter as well as she should have. She has also set a bad precedent. What if Charlie also does a Lizzy and holds on to the throne till he turns into a relic? I mean his mother has not left scope for that much time for the poor sod but it’s still a lousy thing to do.
Something tells me the next coronation after Charles’ will take lesser time than it took our princey boy to get crowned. Unless the British people wake up one morning and realize how idiotic it is for them to pay taxes that fund one family’s lavish lifestyle, castles, titles, properties, affairs, holidays and other baggage and they decide to permanently abolish monarchy. Till then the British Tabloids and Media will continue to air the next episode of the soap opera called the Royal Family.
I have already mourned for the Queen. Back in November 1991 when Freddie Mercury died. God bless his soul. I can already picture good old Charlie singing in his best Freddie imitation voice, “Mama, life has just begun..” I hope he has fun as king though I can’t guarantee it. After all, he had Diana for a wife but chose to go with Camilla as his partner. He probably marches to a different drummer. Stay tuned for the next episode of this sordid soap opera. Being played out in the British Media for the next 70 years…
