Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch, passed away on Sept. 8, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. The monarch who had been queen since June 2, 1953, making her reign over 70 years, passed away comfortably, surrounded by family.
The news quickly spread across the Loyola University Maryland campus. Leo Ayd ’25, said, “I was never one to keep a close watch on the Royal family, but she was someone you heard about all the time. She was an important figure and I was sad to hear the news of her passing.”
The BBC reports this past Tuesday the queen met with the incoming UK Prime Minister Liz Truss, the 15th prime minister of her reign. In April of 2021, her husband of 73 years passed away.
Brendan Clerkin ’24 said, “I actually found out the news on Twitter. By the time I got out of class, I heard a lot of people talking about it. I know students here in the US might not understand the importance of this, but I can’t imagine how sad people in the UK are feeling.”
Her son, Prince Charles, 73, will become King Charles III and the reigning monarch of Britain. Prince William is now the next in line for the throne after Charles.
Louis Cuoco ’24, who is currently studying abroad in Spain, said, “I heard about the news on TV, I’m not sure how big of a talk it is amongst the locals but students that I went with have been talking about it. I also know that recently King Felipe VI sent his condolences to the British Royal Family.”
Queen Elizabeth II will be remembered as a symbol of stability and perseverance in a succession of difficult eras for Britain and for the World. From the post-WWII period through today’s pandemic, she conveyed a sense of continuity that reassured the nation as well as its many overseas territories and protectorates.
“I was sad to hear about it. The thing I remembered best was her fashion. She dressed in accordance with royal protocol, wearing classic colors, and very conservative garments. The royal family has to follow rules about specific colors and dress lengths and often times use fashion to send certain messages,” said Madi Smith ’23.
Queen Elizabeth II will also be remembered by the British for her genteel manner, her fashion choices, and her strict adherence to her royal duties throughout her long life.
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