A QUEEN LIKE NO O OTHER
British High Commissioner remembers Elizabeth II
8th September, 2022 will forever be remembered as the day Britain’s longest serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, breathed her last.
The Queen passed away at the age of 96, her reign lasting an incredible 70 years.
Following a period of mourning throughout the United Kingdom, the mother-of-four was laid to rest on Monday in an emotional ceremony.
The Voice contacted British High Commissioner, Sian Price, to get a better idea of what the queen meant to the British people.
What does the queen symbolise?
In addition to her formal roles, Her Majesty was also the UK’S Head of Nation, a symbol of our national identity, unity and pride. She gave us a sense of stability and continuity, encouraged us to strive for success and excellence as a nation and as individuals, and reminded us constantly of the need to think of others as well as ourselves.
What is the role of the monarchy and the queen in particular?
Her Majesty was the Head of
State in the United Kingdom and in 15 other Commonwealth countries, the Head of Commonwealth, and the Head of the Church of England. However, the UK is a constitutional monarchy, which makes the role of our Head of State a little different to the role of your President here in Botswana. Our monarch is our Head of State, but our Head of Government is our Prime Minister, and the power to make and pass legislation is the responsibility of Parliament, not the monarch.
The monarch holds some important ceremonial roles, for example, one of Her Majesty’s last formal duties was appointing our new Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Elizabeth Truss, but they always remain strictly politically neutral and act on the advice of the government of the day.
Does Britain have a single collective memory of the queen?
I think everyone will have very different memories. Some will remember particular values she represented that are close to their own. Others will remember when they, or their family members, had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty. I remember my grandmother’s stories of joining the people lining the streets of my hometown in 1960 to watch Her Majesty’s car passing through, and I’ve been struck by how many people here have had stories passed down to them through generations of Mmamosadinyana’s visit to Botswana in 1979.
The overriding memory of all in the UK, though, will be of a life of service and her tireless dedication to our country and the Commonwealth.
What are some of the greatest moments that the queen led her people through?
Her Majesty was the longest serving monarch in British history. So much happened over her 70 years of service, which spanned 15 British Prime Ministers and 5 Presidents of Botswana, that it is almost impossible to choose her greatest moments. For me, her most important achievements were as the UK’S greatest diplomat. During her reign, she visited 110 countries across six continents and hosted more than 100 international Heads of State in the UK, including Sir Seretse Khama in 1978. Many of those visits had a pivotal impact on our international relationships. For example, her State Visits to Germany in 1965 and Ireland in 2011 forged new eras of friendship with those nations, both of whom are valued and important partners of the UK today.
How about the darkest moments?
Similarly, there have been a lot of dark moments over the 70 years. The Queen was deeply moved by the mining disaster in Aberfan, Wales in 1966, where 144 people, 116 of them children, lost their lives, and by the IRA bombing attack on London in 1982, where 11 people died and 51 were injured. In those days, she had a more cautious approach, waiting until the recovery efforts were complete before going to pay her respects so that she did not distract from the important work at hand. In later years, television and social media helped her reach out a steadying and reassuring hand to the nation at times of great distress. Her message to our people to stay strong and draw on our national spirit at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic was a great source of comfort for many.
Tell us about the Queen’s wave. Why do people go wild over that wave?
The Royal Family do an awful lot of waving and handshaking over the course of a day’s work, so it is important that they do not injure themselves. The royal wave is a more controlled, slower movement than you or I would use, but it helps prevent repetitive strain injury. It is also easier to see from a distance than a faster movement would be - so more of the crowd feel like they have been greeted!
What would you say is the Queen’s legacy?
Her Majesty reigned over a period of profound social and cultural change in the UK. Everything changed, from who we are as nation, to how we live our lives. In the early years of her reign, the UK welcomed the post-war immigration boom that made us the wonderful multi-racial society we are today. She also oversaw the transition from Empire to a proud Commonwealth of Nations. Therefore, the United Kingdom’s rich multicultural society and the relationships we enjoy with independent nations and equal partners around the world are perhaps her greatest legacy.
Is the monarchy still relevant in modern day England and the Commonwealth at large?
Very much so. The role the monarchy plays in the UK and the Commonwealth has continued to evolve over the years, but it still plays a very important role. Taking the Commonwealth for example, His Majesty The King (while Prince of Wales) made an important speech in Kigali earlier this year, where he emphasised the strength we all gain as member states of this vibrant, successful family of nations. As Commonwealth members, we meet and talk as equals, sharing our knowledge and experience for the betterment of all our citizens. The role of the monarchy in today’s Commonwealth is to provide a figurehead for those shared interests, values and endeavours. It does not stand in the way of any country pursuing its national interests, but instead encourages us all to see the bigger picture on global issues, and to recognise how much stronger we are when we work together.
Did you ever get to meet her personally?
I had the privilege of meeting Her Majesty twice. Once at an event for Chevening and Commonwealth scholars in 2002, where I had the opportunity to accompany her as she ‘worked the room’. She had an amazing ability to make everyone at an event feel special, by asking just the right question or sharing just the right anecdote about a visit to their country. As a young diplomat at the outset of my career, I learnt a lot from watching her in action. The second time I met Her Majesty was when she visited the Foreign Office during her Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. I was a member of the office choir and it was a huge honour to sing the national anthem to her.
Do you expect King Charles III to rise to the occasion and become a good King?
I have absolutely no doubt that King Charles III will be an excellent monarch. He has spent his whole life preparing for the role and has learnt from the very best. God Save The King!