The death of a British monarch is an incredibly rare event, yet in many ways the passing of Queen Elizabeth II has felt like a reflex.
Overnight, the Court of QueenSA国际影视传媒檚 Bench became the Court of KingSA国际影视传媒檚 Bench and portraits of her Majesty were covered up across the nation. Even the Wikipedia article I referenced for this column has updated the Canadian citizenship oath. It now reads SA国际影视传媒淚, [name], do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to his Majesty King Charles the Third, King of Canada, His Heirs and Successors. So help me God.SA国际影视传媒�
An interesting dichotomy exists in this country. If you were born here, you probably never said those words. But if you started out somewhere else, and becoming Canadian was your destiny, you would have had to swear loyalty to the British Crown.
Well, I was born here and I never made an oath to Queen Elizabeth. So this is officially where I get off the royal bandwagon.
Sorry Charles, but you are not my King.
William wonSA国际影视传媒檛 be either. Neither will Harry, nor Romana Didulo for that matter. ISA国际影视传媒檓 done with these idols.
WeSA国际影视传媒檝e discussed this before: the British monarchy is not just a relic of colonialism SA国际影视传媒� it is colonialism. Consider how many countries around the world mark the day they got out from under BritainSA国际影视传媒檚 thumb as a national holiday SA国际影视传媒� our own included. Next to Christmas, itSA国际影视传媒檚 probably the most common holiday in the world SA国际影视传媒� over 60 nations have their own commemoration. At minimum, there are two SA国际影视传媒渇reedom from BritainSA国际影视传媒� days held in March and at maximum eight in both August and October SA国际影视传媒� with the average being six. If you could attend them all, you would be on holiday for the entire year.
Certainly Elizabeth should be commended for her ability to have kept royal tradition alive into the 21st century. Chances are the House of Windsor SA国际影视传媒� along with most remaining royal families SA国际影视传媒� would not have survived the political upheavals of the first and second world wars without the QueenSA国际影视传媒檚 charisma and grit. She was able to effectively connect with the hearts and minds of her subjects, so much so that other monarchs have tried to follow her lead. It remains to be seen if Charles will have the same success.
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 not impossible. If he takes the impacts of colonialism seriously and uses the House of WindsorSA国际影视传媒檚 massive bank accounts and global reach to help accelerate decolonization, he could breathe new life into the institution. Charles has been a vocal advocate for green technology and climate change, which disproportionately endangers Indigenous populations around the world. He could do a lot of good with his new role. And considering how long heSA国际影视传媒檚 had to wait to wear the crown, he must have some ideas.
But none of this changes the fact that the monarchy is an institution born of a dark and violent past, built on the back of a feudal system long since obsolete. At most, today the Crown is just a very expensive symbol.
I do wish Charles well and hope he focuses on righting historic wrongs. But this is not the 11th century, and I cannot in good conscience pledge allegiance or loyalty to him. This era was over long ago. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 an anachronism that needs to end.
