Elizabeth II / Charles III megathread

[The Archregimancy]

The Queen is dead.

Long live the King.


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Original post

Buckingham Palace has issued a statement reading "Following further evaluation this morning, the Queen's doctors are concerned for Her Majesty's health and have recommended she remain under medical supervision".

Prince Charles has travelled to his mother's bedside at her summer home in Balmoral, Scotland. Prince William, Princess Anne, and other senior royals are also known to be making the trip.

The Speaker of the House of Commons has interrupted debate so that the House can offer its thoughts and prayers.

New Prime Minister Liz Truss has issued a statement reading "My thoughts - and the thoughts of people across our United Kingdom - are with Her Majesty The Queen and her family at this time"

So the United Kingdom is currently bracing itself for the likelihood that we're about to lose our longest-serving monarch.

Opinions on this will no doubt differ, depending on whether individuals are monarchists, republicans, agnostic about monarchy, or from a country where the Queen remains head of state. This is a thread where you can discuss all of the issues arising - but remember to keep that discussion within the site rules, and if the Queen does die, remember that the site moderation team will likely be strict in applying those rules, as we are with the death of any prominent public figure.

[Hulldom]

It certainly doesn't look like good news that all of her children and her "most important" grandchildren (and presumably some of the great-grandchildren too) are on their way to Balmoral.

As an American, one does sort of wonder how this will affect us--not on a material level, but what sort of observances and commemorations we'll engage in. Regardless of what's going to happen, I imagine the world will miss her quiet strength and stability.

[The New California Republic]

As an American, one does sort of wonder how this will affect us--not on a material level, but what sort of observances and commemorations we'll engage in. Regardless of what's going to happen, I imagine the world will miss her quiet strength and stability.

Given her popularity in the US, I think there'll be a significant reaction. YouGov carried out a survey last year:

Queen Elizabeth II is the most popular royal, with 68% of Americans saying they hold a favorable view of the reigning monarch. Only 14% hold a negative view of her.

[Great Britain eke Northern Ireland]

I pray that Her Majesty returns to good health and for her swift recovery, but I am not unaware of the possibility that Her Majesty may soon pass. Her Majesty has reigned for so many years, has served dutifully and faithfully throughout them all, and has become such a positive icon for this country that I worry for what may happen upon her passing.

[Denoidumbutoniurucwivobrs]

Her mother lived to 101 and smoked so i'm sure she'll make it past that.

*Checks bet*

At least i hope she will.

[Republic Of Ludwigsburg]

One issue is the coins and cash. All British money has her face, and they're gonna have to replace MANY banknotes.

[Roylaii]

Speaking as someone from a realm where the Queen is still head of state, New Zealand, I am not really all that certain of how this will affect us in the long term, I mean she has been Queen for just so long now. It will undoubtedly be the end of a truly extraordinary era.

[Kampfler]

I don't think I'm mentally ready to lose the queen, even as an American....

[The Archregimancy]

One issue is the coins and cash. All British money has her face, and they're gonna have to replace MANY banknotes.

Not immediately.

Notes and coins with the previous monarch's head on them typically remain legal tender under the next monarch.

We were using coins with George VI on them for decades after his death.

[The New California Republic]

One issue is the coins and cash. All British money has her face, and they're gonna have to replace MANY banknotes.

And stamps too. But as Arch said it's not as if any transition needs to be quick anyway.

[Blaenavon]

God save the Queen!

[Thermodolia]

I’m really hoping this is just a health scare and she pulls through, I really am hoping she makes it two more years and becomes the longest serving monarch.

[Perikuresu]

Welp, all the best for ol' Lizzie, but I had a feeling that she wasn't gonna last long after Phillip's death, ya know, with the broken heart syndrome thing (if that is a thing)

Despite my apathy towards the Royal Family, she not only served Britain but also her commonwealth realms, including Australia, and that is an accomplishment that I will note here.

[Emotional Support Crocodile]

One issue is the coins and cash. All British money has her face, and they're gonna have to replace MANY banknotes.

Not immediately.

Notes and coins with the previous monarch's head on them typically remain legal tender under the next monarch.

We were using coins with George VI on them for decades after his death.

I even remember seeing the odd George V penny.

[Thermodolia]

One issue is the coins and cash. All British money has her face, and they're gonna have to replace MANY banknotes.

And stamps too. But as Arch said it's not as if any transition needs to be quick anyway.

The most immediate would be the national anthem and ships

[Forsher]

One issue is the coins and cash. All British money has her face, and they're gonna have to replace MANY banknotes.

And stamps too. But as Arch said it's not as if any transition needs to be quick anyway.

No, de-Elizabethification must be immediate. Think of the rent-seeking commercial opportunities!

[Quincy]

Genuinely hoping for the best. Something like the death of Elizabeth II would shock a great many millions of people worldwide, perhaps billions. I just hope she recovers soon.

[The Blaatschapen]

One issue is the coins and cash. All British money has her face, and they're gonna have to replace MANY banknotes.

Not immediately.

Notes and coins with the previous monarch's head on them typically remain legal tender under the next monarch.

We were using coins with George VI on them for decades after his death.

Similar to the dutch in that regard. We used Juliana(abdicated in 1980) guilders until 2002 (introduction of the euro). And AFAIK, the Beatrix (abdicated last decade) Euro coins are also still valid.

Of course, since abdications are more planned than deaths, the logistics of the dutch wrt this are a bit simpler.

[Thermodolia]

Even if she wasn't utterly spineless, Ardern wouldn't touch republicanism with a ten foot pole right now... not that it's a likely vote winner, in the first place.

If NZ became a republic it'd cause issues with Indigenous rights wouldn't it, with the whole 'Treaty of Waitangi" being negotiated between the Maoris and the British Crown, and cause of that it's one of the core arguments used by the NZ Anti-Republicanism movement iirc

Yes there might be however the Māori are more likely to want a New Zealander as the head of state. So it’s not a really good argument when the Māori don’t want the monarchy

[The New California Republic]

[...] but I had a feeling that she wasn't gonna last long after Phillip's death, ya know, with the broken heart syndrome thing (if that is a thing)

Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, died in 1861. Queen Victoria died in 1901. And it's not as if she didn't take Albert's death hard either: she was in a state of mourning for the rest of her life.

[The Huskar Social Union]

I mean, she is 96 years old. Even with the best care and tech in the world the human body can only last so long.

[Stormaen]

This is deeply, deeply concerning news. I hope I'm wrong in fearing the worst, but looks like the clan (and the clouds) are gathering.

God save the Queen.

[The Blaatschapen]

I mean, she is 96 years old. Even with the best care and tech in the world the human body can only last so long.

Assuming that she's human, eh?

[Thermodolia]

[...] but I had a feeling that she wasn't gonna last long after Phillip's death, ya know, with the broken heart syndrome thing (if that is a thing)

Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, died in 1861. Queen Victoria died in 1901. And it's not as if she didn't take Albert's death hard either: she was in a state of mourning for the rest of her life.

The deaths also occurred at different ages. Queen Victoria was a lot younger than Queen Elizabeth when their husbands died.

But ya the death of a spouse doesn’t always mean they’ll also die, both of my grandparents have lost their spouses and are still alive years later

[Radiatia]

Seeing this megathread pop up scared the crap out of me, but yes the recent news is deeply concerning.

I noticed how frail and thin she looked last year during her Christmas address and she even dropped a few hints then that could have been interpreted as a hint that she was either ill or planning to abdicate.

Obviously I wish nothing but the best for Her Majesty but at 96 years old and with a deadly virus still going around, I know I have to be realistic about how long I expect her to live.