To any that would kick Elizabeth now

[DonCoquixote]

I can admit, there were times I was angry with her, especially about Diana. However, from her work in the Second World war, to helping form charities, I can say that she was one woman that tried to do her best for her country, which is more than can be said of many. I see many who can buy and sell her in the UK, not trying half as hard to represent their nation.

Best wishes Queen Elizabeth.

PS: Yes I know there is a LOT to be dealt with, from the new PM, to Brexit, to Boris et al. Yes there is the question of who gets to sit on that throne, and all the sordidness involved. I can even be bold to say that neither Charles nor Andrew seem up to the task. But for now, let us mourn the end of an era.

[BlackSkimmer]

1. Andrew doesn't have to be up to the task.

He’ll never be in that position.

[Freddie]

15. Correct

After Charles it’s William, little George, Charlotte and Louis.

[ChazII]

2. May she rest in peace.

She is now with Phillip.

[TheRealNorth]

3. I just don't understand why Americans really care.

I thought we fought a war 240 years ago so that we wouldn't have to care about the King or Queen of England.

[hlthe2b]

6. Maybe because most of us wish to be respectful of the people of UK and of this moment in history?

It really isn't that difficult.

The debate over monarchy is not OURS to make. And even if we want to weigh in, it can wait. RESPECT...

[BuddhaGirl]

22. From a historical perspective

her family story is interesting.

But as an American and citizen of the world, I would like the monarchy to eventually fade away. It perpetuates entitlement and classism, and we don't need that in society.

RIP Elizabeth

[hlthe2b]

24. Unless you are British, you AND I have no right to decide the fate of UK government.

And heaven knows, the past few years in this country have not been a hallmark of democracy. So, I think it wise for all Americans to clam up and maybe show some respect for our British allies to determine their own form of government. There is enough for us to focus on here.

[BuddhaGirl]

30. Eh, I disagree

That said, I am sad for her family. She did have an interesting life.

[Happy Hoosier]

7. That doesn't mean...

... that there aren;t strong cultural ties with Britain.

And the last time the US and Britain were at odds with each is more than 150 years ago.

Many of us feel deep cultural rootst there. And for some, that includes some cultural affinity for the royals.

But you don;t have to "understand" it. Heck, I don't understand pro sports fans, but there ya go!

[TheRealNorth]

21. Maybe

But if you want to talk about cultural roots or heritage, as an American of Irish ancestory, you are talking about celebrating a monarchy that brutally ruled over Ireland and oversaw a famine not unlike the Holomdor, in that British trade policies exacerbated the food shortage caused by the potato blight.

I am not angry or anything about it and don't have any ill will like some of the q-anon folks have. It's just that I find the news obsession a little annoying and I just don't get why. I feel like it's the MSM that pushes us to care.

[GenXer47]

10. 100% agree

I never understood why the American press covers the UK mascot family. A 96 year old woman died today. The same day we find out the FBI tracked another Queen, the Queen of Soul, as though she were a domestic terrorist:
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/sep/08/aretha-franklin-fbi-declassified-file-civil-rights-activism

[elocs]

14. A defining characteristic of those of us on the Left is our empathy,

which you clearly lack so I think I'll just put you on full ignore.

[Aristus]

16. Great Britain has been an ally far longer than she was an enemy.

I'm glad to see that, in this instance at least, the U.S. has made peace with its past.

I'm Southern-born and raised. When a well-regarded old lady dies, we show our respect.

[BlackSkimmer]

17. She was an incredible woman and what a life she lived.

A truly good person.

I’m a first generation American with all my relatives in the UK.

Many Americans respected her. With good reason.

[2naSalit]

26. Respect...

Human decency. She was far more than the tabloid reputation.

[Torchlight]

28. I'd think that war you reference allowed us to care or not care

as we ourselves determined on an individual level.

[RobinA]

29. The British Monarchy

for good and evil, has had a tremendous effect on the world as we know it. This lady was its longest reigning member. Many of us come from there, albeit, many moons ago. Some of us don't HAVE to care, we want to.

[hlthe2b]

4. Yes. Today is about a woman who dutifully lived her life for her country, no matter the beliefs

about monarchy. It wasn't a choice. She was born to it--even two days before her death.

I feel saddened. I think most Brits will feel that way as well--even if they are staunch anti-royalists. So, I'm hopeful we can be respectful.

[jimfields33]

32. Weirdly she wasn't even born into it.

She was supposed to be fergies kids. Fun and play. But life gave her a hand that was unexpected. She took the hand that she was dealt and went full force with it. To me she’s very gutsy and an inspiration for all women. I’m surprise nobody has mentioned that she was one of the first female leaders in the world. That’s pretty damn good.

[Happy Hoosier]

5. Charles will do fine.

Like any person, he has his flaws. But he knows his role, and he will do his duty adequately if not spectacularly.

William will become the Prince of Wales. All is well.

[luvs2sing]

8. I'm not a "royal watcher"..

but over 80% of my DNA goes back to the UK, and I’m interested in it from a historical perspective. As far as Elizabeth goes, I was always interested in her as a person. As you have mentioned, there is much to admire about her, and she seemed to have her head on fairly straight and have a good sense of humor, not take herself too seriously. I will miss her and her colorful outfits and smile.

[Johnny2X2X]

9. RIP

Seemed like a decent person even as a royal. I just never understood the infatuation some have with monarchies, but it;'s not really the time or place to expand on that.

[FakeNoose]

11. Don't forget that it was a surprise when Elizabeth's father became King in 1936

... thrusting them all into the limelight when "Uncle David" abdicated.

The story was told very well in the movie "The King's Speech" about her father's speech impediment (a nervous stutter) and his reluctance to step into the role that his elder brother had been groomed for. Liz was still quite young and hardly knew what to think. She has lived an amazing life and did pretty well for herself.

Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth II.

[Freddie]

18. When she was young she certainly never expected to be Queen

Uncle David was supposed to find a “suitable” wife (not a twice-divorced American) and have children who would inherit the throne. She was in the position little Archie and Lilibet are now. I wonder if they will make Harry the Duke of York, normally the title for the monarch’s second-born son.

[nolabear]

12. We are inextricably linked to Great Britain through fact and fantasy.

Many of us ( including me) have a British heritage. We were literally owned by them until the greatest thing we ever did—fought for independence. But the link remains through language, custom, memory, relatives.

Of course it’s changed a great deal, and for the good, as others’ heritages and cultures have blended with the British one. But the royalty is what many, many fairy tales we grew up with and loved was predicated on. Good, evil, conqueror and conquered, the lens of the British royalty gives us stories to tell, and to identify with.

[Retrograde]

19. Most of the US was never British territory

Large swaths of the West and Southwest were Spanish territories, as was Florida. The central part of the country was a French possession. Alaska was purchased from Russia. Hawai'i was its own country. And I'd bet a majority of the population stems from areas other than the British Isles, at least in part.

And yet we keep pushing the Anglo-centric, East Coast driven picture of the US in out history books.

[nolabear]

23. Yes, yes, I know. I come from an area that wasn't.

The fact that the East Coast was developed early on and the government of “America” began there, with all attendant educational institutes and historians creates the narrative. As I said, the fairy tales are Eurocentric, even those that are “history.”

[jimfields33]

25. Who know how the United States would have been had we not followed this path

Probably not a super power. The entire government would have been different and not British influence. We took the British government and made it better. Hence why we are 246 years into this where other governments have failed.

[TheRealNorth]

31. But that was the parliamentary system...

The creation of which was basically imposed on the Monarchy in 1215 and strengthened after the Glorious Revolution.

I don't want to discount the good things Queen E did, but I don't see how we somehow owe anythng to the British Monarchy. The House of Orange (and later Hanover/Windsor) was basically given the crown after the Stuarts were kicked out with the understanding that Parliament would have increased powers.

My point is, the Monarchy was not some benevolent force. But after the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution, the supremacy of Parliament over the Monarchy was confirmed, and the Monarchy decided it was in their best interest to compromise instead of fighting another bloody civil war where they would most likely lose.

[iemanja]

13. Charles is now king

There is no question.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

20. King of what is the question; let's see how he rules. Hopefully, more like Harry would.

[BlackSkimmer]

33. The British monarchs do not "rule".

Omg.

[BlueIdaho]

37. Thank You.

[jimfields33]

34. Actually it'd be better if he led like his grandmother

She was a hard fisted leader in a velvet glove. Probably the most powerful woman in human history.

[Pathwalker]

36. His Grandmother was the "Queen Mum".

Not a world leader, not the most powerful woman in human history. Queen Victoria? was his Great Grandmother. Is that who you mean?

[jimfields33]

39. True on queen mum.

I meant Elizabeth. I guess I should say modern history. She’s a world leader just not in the traditional sense.

[Earth-shine]

27. She was the real deal, both as a human being and a symbol of majesty.

I'm generally down on royalty. The queen was the only one I really liked.

And then, there were none.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

35. No one can kick her because she's dead.

[Raine]

38. R-I-P Queen Elizabeth 👑 🙏 nt