University of Canberra Professorial Fellow Michelle Grattan and University of Canberra Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon discuss the week in politics.
After the death of Queen Elizabeth, questions arise about whose life gets mourned and who does not. Here is the Queen with the Guards of Honour in Nigeria, Dec. 3, 2003, for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.
(AP Photo/Ben Curtis)
In the middle of the tremendous outpouring of love and grief for the Queen and the monarchy she represented, not everyone wants to take a moment of silence. And there are a lot of reasons why.
King Charles and Prince William arrive for Queen Elizabeth’s committal service at Windsor Castle on Sept. 19, 2022.
(AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia, Pool)
Whatever Queen Elizabeth’s personal qualities, it’s time to determine how the monarchy fits Canada’s current situation as an independent country and its aspirations for the future.
The death of Queen Elizabeth will not weaken the attachment of Northern Ireland’s unionists to Britain. But it is a morale blow at a time of political uncertainty.
Many of those critical or skeptical of the monarchy have felt silenced.
Members of the British royal family follow behind the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried out of Westminster Abbey after her state funeral.
Gareth Cattermole/Pool Photo via AP
In 2022 TV news rather than ballads communicate the details of a monarch’s death, but the challenge of communicating the royal succession draws on lessons from 400 years ago.
Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation, age 27.
PA images
Queen Elizabeth’s funeral will maintain all the traditions of previous royal funerals but will have some new additions to ease the new sovereign in.
In her efforts to build a new relationship with the Catholic Church, Queen Elizabeth II had interactions with several pontiffs. She is seen here with Pope John Paul II.
AP Photo/Alessandro Bianchi, Pool, File
Queen Elizabeth II encouraged tolerance in a multifaith United Kingdom. To appreciate the significance of her efforts, it is important to understand the country’s complicated religious history.
It was widely understood to be in the works, but king Charles announced that his son would take on his previous title without formally informing the first minister of Wales.
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown placed on top, is carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, during a procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall on Sept. 14, 2022.
(Aaron Chown/Pool via AP)
Whose lives are considered worth grieving? Why is Queen Elizabeth’s life and death considered more grievable by authorities than Indigenous people, overdose victims or anyone else?
An anti-monarchy protestor being led away from the Palace of Westminster by British police.
Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty Images
It’s understandable some people wish to publicly grieve the Queen and offer their respects to her and the monarchy. But those who disagree with the monarchy also have a right to freedom of speech.
If the prime minister is right, and New Zealand’s ties to the monarchy will only strengthen under Charles III, the country will be swimming against the Commonwealth tide.
Chief Aùtshumao! Francisco MacKenzie (front) protests the Amazon headquarters development in Cape Town.
Brenton Geach/Gallo Images via Getty Images
The British empire brought the practice of commons enclosure to Africa to claim land. Its effects continue today at sites like the Liesbeek River in Cape Town.