9 September 2022

By Tim Koch

Hear The Boat Sing marks the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.

As readers will know, Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom and fourteen other Commonwealth realms, died yesterday at the age of ninety-six. Queen Elizabeth ascended to the Throne in 1952 and was the longest-reigning British monarch. In June, she became the second-longest reigning monarch in world history having ruled for over seventy years. 

Whatever one thinks of the institution of Monarchy, it would be churlish to deny that Queen Elizabeth led a remarkable life of service. While no intelligent person can produce a logical case for Royalty, life is full of such oddities, including perhaps an interest in long-dead rowers and boats that use an outdated propulsion system. 

Heir apparent, Charles, immediately ascends to the throne becoming Charles III. A reigning British King is a strange thought for the vast majority of us who have never known any Monarch other than “The Queen”. While the death of a ninety-six-year-old should not be too shocking, Queen Elizabeth symbolised stability and, beyond simply mourning her death, many of us in Britain and the Commonwealth will be greatly unsettled by the loss of this emblem of continuity.