“Talk less” Was the Queen's Way of Reducing Upheaval

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Britain's Queen Elizabeth II leaves after attending a Service of Thanksgiving for Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey in central London on March 29, 2022. - A thanksgiving service will take place on Tuesday for Queen Elizabeth II's late husband, Prince Philip, nearly a year after his death and funeral held under coronavirus restrictions. Philip, who was married to the queen for 73 years, died on April 9 last year aged 99, following a month-long stay in hospital with a heart complaint.

LONDON, KOMPAS — Britain is in mourning. Queen Elizabeth II, who was one of the icons of this century, has passed away. In the midst of ridicule of the life of the British royal family, which has been colored by various kinds of scandals, Queen Elizabeth was still able to ensure the public continued to respect the British monarchy and her personality. Rarely speaking in public was one of the keys to how she could gain deep respect.

The respect of the public for Queen Elizabeth II remained relatively stable during her 70-year reign. “I was impressed by how the Queen was able to bring people from various backgrounds together. She had a good sense of humor, was friendly, and was always independent in making decisions," said Sandra Brown (70), a resident of Surrey who came to Buckingham Palace, London, on Friday (9/9/2022).

Despite being one of the most frequently highlighted monarchs, she was almost never heard to comment on political matters open

Philip Murphy, the director of Historical and Policy Studies at the University of London, said one of the keys to Elizabeth II's success was being famous and remaining mysterious. Despite being one of the most frequently highlighted monarchs, she was almost never heard to comment on political matters openly.

“She never showed boredom in carrying out the duties of a constitutional monarchy. A role that was often seen as boring and ceremonial," said Murphy as quoted by the BBC and NBC as saying on Thursday (8/9).Also read:

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That was Elizabeth II. She became involved in politics but was barely heard commenting in public. After her death was announced on Thursday night, various media revealed that she regularly met and held a discussion with politicians. Almost every week, she met the British Prime Minister and discussed developments in the country. The British constitution guarantees the Queen can do that.

The Queen also met secretly with judges, union leaders, and community leaders. It was described as a secret because the results of the meeting were almost never revealed. The Queen did not discuss it in public.

Historian at Virginia Commonwealth University, Brooke Newman, said Elizabeth II built her reputation, among other ways, by demonstrating fair treatment for all. Queen Elizabeth II demonstrated this at almost every political and diplomatic event.

STEVE PARSONS/POOL/AFP

A picture released in London on February 4, 2022, and taken last month, shows Britain's Queen Elizabeth II stroking Candy, her a Dorgi dog, as she looks at a display of memorabilia from her Golden and Platinum Jubilees, in the Oak Room at Windsor Castle, west of London. - Queen Elizabeth II on February 6, 2022, becomes the first British monarch to reign for 70 years, heralding the start of her Platinum Jubilee year despite her retreat from public view. But the landmark date this weekend will see little fanfare, as the 95-year-old monarch traditionally spends the anniversary of the death of her father in private.

As the head of the Commonwealth of Nations, which is made up of 54 countries, the Queen treated all heads of state or government equally. She met them personally regardless of the size of their country of origin.

Murphy said her impartiality and rarely talking about politics openly made her less vulnerable to political attacks. As she rarely mentioned politics, she almost never made a wrong move.

Crisis

Besides politics, the Queen also not only rarely spoke but was quite careful when she did speak. When her former daughter-in-law, Princess Diana, died on 31 August, 1997, the Queen was criticized for not returning to London soon. Unease toward the Queen and the royal family subsided when the Queen publicly bowed her head as Diana's carriage passed. The Queen also said Diana was respected.

In fact, as many as 70 percent of female respondents and 60 percent of male respondents supported its existence.

On the other hand, the Queen also adapted to popular culture to maintain the relevance of the monarchy. In 2002, she allowed Buckingham Palace to be used for rock concerts. In a You Gov poll announced in June 2022, 60 percent of respondents supported the British monarchy. In fact, as many as 70 percent of female respondents and 60 percent of male respondents supported its existence.

AFP/POOL/JOE GIDDENS

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II cuts a cake to celebrate the start of the Platinum Jubilee during a reception in the Ballroom of Sandringham House, the Queen's Norfolk residence on February 5, 2022. - Queen Elizabeth II on Sunday will became the first British monarch to reign for seven decades, in a bittersweet landmark as she also marked the 70th anniversary of her father's death.

Time reported that it was actually not easy for Queen Elizabeth II to maintain the respect of the people for the monarchy in the midst of change. She became queen at a time when anti-colonial fervor prevailed and many countries demanded independence.

However, “the world” has its own perspective. "I couldn't sleep last night because of the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II," said Michael Painter (68), a resident of Aberdeen, Scotland. (RAZ)