The Queen Has Fallen: Many Grieve as Many Rejoice

By Isaiah Joseph | Published September 29, 2022

The longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, passed on Sept. 8 after seven decades on the throne. 

When a great leader’s time is up, they are grieved by individuals who loved them and watched them positively evolve and serve their country throughout their reign. But some individuals opposed their decisions and wished for their time to end.

The British monarch, now headed by King Charles III.

When thinking about the word monarch,  some people immediately think about a King or Queen ruling a kingdom, while others think about an authoritarian system. 

According to Britannica, the term monarch applies to states in which supreme authority is vested in the monarch. This individual ruler functions as the head of state and achieves their position through heredity.

Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor, famously known as Queen Elizabeth II, rose to the throne in 1952 after the passing of her father, King George VI.  

During her reign, Queen Elizabeth II  passed bills like the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act, prohibiting capital punishment in 1965, and passed legislation to legalize abortion and homosexuality in the United Kingdom in 1967.

These deeds can assist individuals in understanding why Queen Elizabeth II was adored by many and why they mourned her death.

When the news about the Queen’s passing struck the United States, many were shocked that the seven-decade long-reigning monarch was dead.

Social media went into a frenzy as the Queen’s death became a trending topic.  Members of the public Rejoiced and celebrated her death as if it was a spring break party in Miami.

Memes and viral videos started circulating on the internet, and jokes about her passing emerged on social media platforms.

Kean University senior Maria Irvin, who majors in communication media and film, gave her thoughts and reactions to the Queen’s passing in a melancholic tone.

Irvin explained that she has always been fascinated by the Royal Family. When she heard Queen Elizabeth had passed away, she was shocked and saddened by the news. 

Irvin spoke about the Queen’s significance in the world and highlighted how she outlived many influential leaders such as Nelson Mandela and John F. Kennedy. 

“People align to love her aimlessly without knowing how problematic she is,” Irvin said.

The Queen has received many other unexpected reactions outside of social media. Why are people happy about the Queen no longer holding the throne? What bad has she done for people to have these types of reactions?

Another Kean student expressed how the Queen’s death didn’t affect him.

Norman Ayala, a senior majoring in communication media and film. Had an opposite reaction to the end of the Queen.  Ayala expressed that he was not affected by the end of the Queen. However, he understands why people are mourning such an influential figure.

“How would we react if one of our favorite leaders died?” Ayala said. “She was part of their culture, so I understand their grief.”

The Queen’s death has little to no effect on the lives of most Americans and nations that the monarch does not head. 

This means that life will still go on generally for many people that have not been affected by her reign. 

“She isn’t much of a prominent figure in my life,” Ayala said.

Queen Elizabeth II was the head of state for  14 independent colonies. Several colonies, such as Jamaica, Ireland, and Grenada, are considering breaking ties with Britain now that her reign is over. These countries are self-governing and rely on the U.K. for defense and foreign relations.

Citizens in these colonies view the British monarchy as authoritative because of their history of imperialism.

England and its monarch was racist colonizer that enslaved many. They fought with countries like Ghana for years and refused to grant them and other nations independence.

Dr. Lauretta Farrel, director of the Human Rights Institute at Kean, l, helps give a clear breakdown and her reaction to the death of the Queen.

“I believe it is sad when any human being dies,” Farrel said. “People shouldn’t rejoice in the death of another person.”

Farrel shared her Northern Irish background and how Ireland being part of the U.K created conflict within the country. 

Northern Ireland joined Great Britain to establish the U.K through the Act of Union of 1801. This legislative agreement demolished Ireland’s parliament.

Now that the Queen has passed, Northern Ireland wants to vote to leave the U.K.  Many colonies, such as…, disagree with Northern Ireland as they believe it is just not the right time. They enjoy the benefits they receive from the U.K., such as protection and foreign relations.

Queen Elizabeth’s death throughout her colonies showed a gathering among many citizens.

“When there is a huge loss, people rejoice,” Farrel said.

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