Like us all, the Queen was imperfect and although she helped modernise the monarchy and the country during an incredible reign, for some it will never be enough and I can understand that.
For many of the rest of us, we thank her for a lifetime of service - a selfless duty none of us will really appreciate. Yes, it was also a lifetime of privilege and, with poverty still prevalent in this country and across the Commonwealth, I share the cynicism of that birth right in a modern world but I, for one, would not have swapped with her for my life of freedom and privacy.
In a personally interesting twist of fate my younger brother died 27 years ago yesterday (the weather conditions were eerily the same) so I was already feeling rather melancholy when yesterday's news broke at lunchtime. Whilst I wouldn't say I was upset at someone I didn't know dying, I can understand why so many people will be affected by this extremely unusual moment in recent UK history. Not everyone is a Monarchist (or a Republican) and I'd fancy I reflect the majority where I usually shrug my shoulders when the issue is discussed but, like those with a more religious faith, who are the rest of us to judge if people get comfort from having a focal point in their lives? We all scoff when a celebrity dies and we see people mourning as if it was their favourite relative but I'd fancy there's always someone that would probably surprise us when they go. When Walter Smith died last October, I was surprised at how upset it made me for for a wee bit. I didn't know him but he was part of my daily life for 35 years. That's why people feel attached to people they don't know. Daft - maybe; understandable, yes.
To move on, the last couple of years have been amongst the most strange and most difficult when we consider the global pandemic, war just on our doorstep and associated financial crises that may affect us for a good while yet. The loss of Elizabeth II or the accession of Charles III may or may not directly affect these issues and I'm not the kind of person to allow my birth place (or football team or religion) define my life choices but neither will I disrespect those that will find this transition difficult.
Cards on the table, for me, as it stands, I still think the monarchy is a fairly positive thing. However, I also agree it's something that will and should not be there forever. Indeed, I think firstly Charles then William will see it's influence reduced over the next generation or two which I don't think it's paradoxical to argue is also a good thing.