A guardian of leaders

The United Kingdom along with the world mourns the death of the most famous and admired woman who lived in the 20th century. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was loved and respected by practically everyone in the UK and many people around the world.

At the very young age of 25, she ascended to the throne and reigned over the United Kingdom and its realms for 70 years. She was the longest-ever reigning monarch in the 1,200-year history of the royal family.

Most people in the UK would not know a life without the queen. It was a day we all knew to be coming, but no one really believed it would happen so soon, even though the queen was 96 years old.

For the people of the UK, the death of the monarch will mean an end of a remarkable era of social and cultural change. The queen represents British traditions and values which have influenced the world we live in today.

The imperial history of the British royal family gradually evolved after World War II and a shift toward a more modern world order had taken place. Much of this transition of change can be credited to the queen’s work and dedication to the Commonwealth.

She was a symbol of stability and a guardian to many leaders, who were building new nations and emerging democracies all around the world.

The monarchy plays a huge role in the day-to-day life of the British people and no doubt people will take time to get used to the idea of the queen being no more.

The queen’s profile is on post boxes, stamps, and currency and her picture hangs in all government buildings. She is very much embedded into British society. However, the continuity of the thousand-year-old royal institution will no doubt carry on successfully through the new King Charles III.

On July 12, 2022, I was honoured by Queen Elizabeth II with the title of MBE (Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire). The medal was placed upon me by the now King Charles III. I had never met his majesty before my investiture and had no idea of royal protocol. But after meeting King Charles, I realised the incredible commitment to service and duty to the betterment of society the royal family has.

I was honoured for my voluntary services in employment work for underprivileged communities in London. The king was so generous with his words to me. He congratulated me on my work and said that he was giving me the honour to encourage me to do more work to help people.

He also spoke to me about his work with underprivileged communities and said I should communicate with his team at the ‘Princes Trust’ which is his charity to do collaborative work together. The king’s kind words will stay with me forever.

There were many other people receiving honours from all around the world and I realised the important role the royal family consistently plays as a symbol of devotion and service to society through the Commonwealth and the charity work it does.

Queen Elizabeth II was an exceptional monarch. She may have been a queen, but in reality, her legacy is that of a public servant. She was a guardian to leaders all around the world. I wish her peace in the afterlife and offer my condolences to the entire royal family.

The writer has been awarded MBE and is the grandson of national leader Captain M Mansur Ali