Britain marked one year since the death of Queen Elizabeth on Friday, as members of the royal family and the public paid tribute to the late monarch. The anniversary comes as polls show falling support for the royal family among younger generations.
The 96-year-old queen had served seven decades on the British throne when she passed away on September 8 of last year at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Upon her death, Elizabeth’s eldest son, Charles, immediately became king and his wife became Queen Camilla.
Tributes
The king and queen attended a private church service Friday in Scotland, close to Balmoral. Charles offered a recorded tribute, posted on social media, alongside a previously unreleased photograph of his late mother.
“In marking the first anniversary of her late majesty’s death and my accession, we recall with great affection her long life, devoted service and all she meant to so many of us. I am deeply grateful, too, for the love and support that has been shown to my wife and myself during this year as we do our utmost to be of service to you all,” Charles said.
Gun salutes were fired in cities across Britain to mark the anniversary of Charles’ accession to the throne. The bells of Westminster Abbey echoed across London, as they had done a year ago when the city came to a standstill to mourn the queen’s passing. Hundreds of floral tributes were left outside Buckingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth was deeply loved in Britain and around the world, and her death triggered an outpouring of grief, recalled royal analyst and writer Richard Fitzwilliams.
“I think Queen Elizabeth embodied the soul of a country, if any ruler was able to do it. And I think that this was a moment that the nation had been dreading,” he told VOA.
Falling support
Twelve months after her passing, how does Britain feel about its monarchy? A poll published this week by YouGov showed 62% of Britons supported the royal family. However, among the youngest age group of 18- to 24-year-olds, 30% said the monarchy is good for Britain.
That largely stems from the bitter dispute between the royal family and Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, said analyst Fitzwilliams. “It’s simply between the 18-to-24 age group that there has been a huge dip in popularity ever since the Sussexes’ toxic interview on Oprah,” he said.
That Oprah Winfrey interview in 2021 — in which Harry and Meghan alleged racism within the royal family, denied by the palace — led to the couple being effectively ejected from the monarchy. The publication of Harry’s memoir, “Spare,” in January heaped further criticism on the royal family. Harry and Meghan now live in the United States.
However, speaking Thursday at the WellChild Awards in London, which celebrate seriously ill children and their families, Prince Harry offered a warm tribute to his late grandmother.
“I was unable to attend the awards last year as my grandmother passed away,” Harry said to the audience. “As you also probably know, she would have been the first person to insist that I still come to be with you all instead of going to her. And that's precisely why I know exactly one year on that she is looking down on all of us tonight, happy we are together.”
Charles’ challenges
A year into his new role, support for King Charles appears stable, with 59% of Britons saying he is doing a good job as monarch.
However, challenges lie ahead. There are growing calls in several Commonwealth realms, especially in the Caribbean, to remove the British monarch as head of state.
Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty magazine, said it will be difficult for Charles to reverse that sentiment.
“It seems likely that his reign will end with less realms than it started,” Little said. “But, you know, that was also the case with Queen Elizabeth II. It's just a natural progression, I think. But ultimately, it's down to the people of the countries who have him as sovereign.”
Charles has spoken of the need to create a slimline monarchy better aligned to Britain’s difficult economic times. Analysts say that is unlikely to happen quickly, as the king’s style appears to be one of evolution, not revolution.
