By Sophia Sullivan, Campus News Editor
When people think of Great Britain, Big Ben, fish and chips, and tea may come to mind. But without fail, for the last 70 years, many have pictured Queen Elizabeth II.
Following the death of her father, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth II rose to the throne in 1953. It was the first royal coronation to be broadcast on live television, according to royal.uk, the official website of the royal family. With the queen a mere 25-year-old newlywed, the public was concerned regarding her ability to lead their nation.
“Historically, young queens are often threatened in their political power both because they are females wielding power in a ‘man’s world’ and because a queen in full charge of a country is rare compared to the traditionally accepted ‘queen-consort’ as the wife of the ruling king,” stated Dr. Marco Rimanelli, a professor of European and international politics at Saint Leo University.
As a female, the queen faced many challenges at the beginning of her reign.
“Queen Elizabeth II’s reign coincided with and inspired the rise of many female leaders globally and the permanent flood of women into the global civilian workforce, once dominated by men,” remarked Rimanelli.
Queen Elizabeth II seemed to prove herself as a woman of character who genuinely cared for her people.
Not only did she set an example for female leaders around the world, but she also maintained an amiable relationship with the United States of America. She traveled to the United States often and met an astonishing 14 presidents throughout her reign.
According to Rimanelli, “she captivated [them]with her down-to-earth subtle humor and reciprocated friendship,” which are certain traits attractive to anyone.
Of course, the American public largely found these attributes to be appealing as well. From the very beginning of Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, Americans have followed the royal family through many major life events. From controversial marriages to funerals to births, the American public never failed to tune in on their televisions.
Besides winning the hearts of the American people, Queen Elizabeth II had many notable accomplishments throughout her reign. She was well-traveled, having been throughout Europe, the Commonwealth States, and the United States.
Because of this, influential figures from around the globe attended the queen’s funeral on September 19, 2022, while multitudes watched on television to honor her.
Notably, Queen Elizabeth II helped to address the long-lasting tension between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. According to Rimanelli, she was the first British monarch to visit Ireland in 100 years.
Queen Elizabeth II defined what it meant to be a monarch and deeply loved her people.
“She became a revered, steady, grandmotherly figure over her 70 years of reign,” stated Rimenelli.
The queen was truly an international icon, inspiring the world with her kindness, pride in her kingdom, and admirable diplomacy.
