With the news of Queen Elizabeth’s hospitalisation, it’s now a distinct reality that we could be looking at a change in monarch. And while everyone loves being performative and wants to look cool and join in on the ‘fun’ of celebrating her death, maybe instead you should be looking at doing something that might actually make a difference.
Queen Elizabeth II was an incredibly popular monarch. She was clever and cunning and played her apolitical political role well, taking care to remain in the good graces of the public. It is NOT a coincidence that while monarchies all around Europe toppled, Britain never once seriously looked at getting rid of their Queen.
This is not true of Charles. He is not as well liked. He does not have the benefit of longevity - most people alive have known the Queen as their monarch their whole lives, and have never seen the monarch change. Kicking a little old lady off the throne after what many people have seen as years of service to her country was a relatively unpopular proposition, but the same is not true of of a man who people aren’t all that fond of, and who doesn’t hold the position.
If you’re on tumblr you’re probably very aware of the questionable past and present of the British throne - and if you’re British or a member of a commonwealth state, now is the time to start talking about it. The monarchy is never going to be overthrown while Queen Elizabeth is still alive, but on her death… well, it’s pretty much fair game.
So instead of just celebrating on your blog, go out and talk about the monarchy. Sow seeds of revolution. Talk about the racism of the royal family. Talk about the racism inherent in the system, and the very personal racism that Megan Markle exposed. Talk about how it isn’t fair that in a unilateral society based on principles of equality, we have not just a monarch but an entire class of people who are born into titles. Talk about how the royal family hoard wealth, how their modern wealth has come from their past subjects, as well as the burden on tax payers. Talk about how unfit they each are for their positions. How you don’t like Charles, or don’t want him as king. Talk about how outsiders are treated - Megan, Diana.
Talk about all the downsides of the monarchy, and do it loudly and publicly, especially with people who are on the fence or who don’t think they care. We will only step away from the monarchy when the general public demand it, and for that to happens, people need to be informed. People need to consider what things would be like without the institution they’ve lived with all their lives- and if the figurehead of that institution is changing, now is the perfect time.
