TCU students reflect on Queen Elizabeth II reign, legacy
FILE – In this Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2012 file photo, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II looks up and waves to members of staff of The Foreign and Commonwealth Office as she ends an official visit which is part of her Jubilee celebrations in London. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant Pool, File)
Published Sep 20, 2022
World leaders, celebrities and European royals paid their respects to Queen Elizabeth II at London’s Westminster Abbey. The State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II was held on Monday, Sept. 19.
The Queen passed away at the age of 96. She served 70 years on the throne, being Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. Queen Elizabeth II’s death sparked many conversations about her reign. The legacy of colonization of other countries has been the biggest backlash about Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy.
At TCU, students reflected on the Queen’s reign and the legacy she left behind.
“I think there’s a fine line between mourning the queen as this great monarch and also recognizing that there were some controversies that happened during her reign. I think that they go hand in hand,” said Paloma Rios, a senior strategic communication major.
Her eldest son, Charles III, became king immediately after her death.
Some people have mixed emotions about the new monarch. From his marriage to the late princess Diana to his open views on politics, people are curious to see how he will present himself as king.
“I do think Charles does have a bit of a negative light in the media, but it’s not necessarily about his reign. It’s more so his personal life,” said Paloma Rios. “I think people have an interesting take on who he is as a person.”
Even though Buckingham palace is an ocean away, Americans have always been fascinated about the royal family.
Films like “The Queen” in 2006, “The King’s Speech” in 2010, “Spencer” in 2021 and Netflix’s “The Crown” have been at the forefront of American pop culture.
“Americans like Hollywood and American tv and movies have been kind of fascinated by the British royal family for, you know, for a long time,” said Dr. Brandy Jolliff Scott, political science professor and an expert in European politics. “I think that does color our understanding of these people and kind of their legacy.”
As Great Britain transitions from one monarch to the next, Americans will see the royal family off the big screen.
“I think kind of seeing this process play out on a public stage provides a great opportunity for American college students to think more critically for themselves about what it means for a country to be a democracy,” said Dr. Scott.
