A Commonwealth Mourns

"The Queen is dead, Long Live the King!"

I'll leave the list of accomplishments credited to Queen Elizabeth II for others to enumerate, and keep this section brief.

She reigned for 70 years, and oversaw the Independence of now-Former Colonies in the double digits. She dedicated her life to duty and was seen as a symbol of endurance and resilience. She served in WWII as part of the Women's Auxilery, and for many, was the only monarch of the UK they ever knew.

At the same time, she was the figurehead of a Colonizing Empire, and the deaths attributed to brutal decisions or bad choices made by those who governed in her name number in the millions.

All of us know some people who will be mourning the loss of a remarkable woman. All of us also know some people who went straight to the nearest pub or fireworks store to celebrate the potential downfall of a tyrannical regime. All of us know some people who feel conflicted, and are staying pointedly quiet.

I'm not here to say which is the right option, or even if there IS a correct way to react to the news that recently broke.

I'm just here to say: Just Don't Be A Jerk.

The news is already making headlines, and the comment sections are a cesspit or vitriol, hatred and personal attacks.

There's headlines trashing Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, with some claiming that she chose not to join her husband, Prince Harry, at Her Majesty's deathbed, and others saying that she was barred from doing so. Both have comments for and against, and it's not pretty. Nor it it an attractive look for many of the commentators.

There are articles predicting that King Charles III will be the UK's last monarch, either gleefully or gloomily. It certainly is true that a lot of countries, including Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, have been putting off the decision of whether or not to have an Independence Referendum what everyone knew would be the Queen's final years, but the new King is also a grieving son. Stop tagging him in your twitter memes.

There are completely ludicrous stories being bandied around, which I won't dignify by including here.

So, I will reiterate something I've said many times before, usually at the death of a celebrity: Whether you celebrate or mourn a Celebrity Death, be considerate of the people they left behind.

You can be happy at the death of someone who symbolised your oppression, without sending a personal message to her children and grandchildren telling them so, or gloating at those who aren't feeling as cheerful as you are.

You can mourn someone you respected as a long-running Head of State without invalidating the feelings of people who don't share your sorrow, and without attacking them for their opinions.

The Facebook 'Snooze' button exists for a reason. Use it.

There will be a time for memes, and a time for debates. There will be a time for political considerations and a time for referendums. A time for coin collecting (though with 70 years worth of currency, don't expect them to vanish into thin air) and a time for celebration.

For now, however, it is a time for Elizabeth Windsor's loved ones to grieve. Have the decency to let them do so in peace.

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