The Queen is Dead .........

...... Long Live the King

Mon Sep 12

CBC's Latest Coverage


Eight hours behind the UK, we wake to the early afternoon news. Not having access to the domestic UK news output, we are dependent on BBC World and the North American equivalents, and not so equivalent!.  There is no Sky or ITN.


The announcement on Thursday by the Queen’s medics of concern over her health, had just been aired as we surfaced.  The understated nature of the statement added to the gravitas of the moment. BBC World, the Canadian news networks (CBC, Global, CTV) as well as the US news networks all carried the same stream of the gates of Balmoral and grim-faced Royals being driven into the estate.  After years working in a news environment, I spent several hours hopping channels


Mid-morning locally and the news everybody seemed to be expecting, but did not want to hear, flashed up on the screens and presenters made the sad announcement.  Whilst I was unsurprised by the Canadian networks continuous coverage, I had not expected the main US news networks to go to rolling coverage.  That said many Americans follow all things Royal and as my least favourite EU politician summed it up, “to the British people she was your Queen, to us she was the Queen”. The same sentiment echoed in the North American coverage.  


Tributes aired here were very much focussed on the individual rather than the institution; the monarch rather than the monarchy. The themes were similar.  Recognition of her ‘service’, ‘selflessness’ and ‘ability to put people at ease’, that HM the Queen brought to most occasions.   A global stateswoman. The extent and nature of the news coverage highlighted her global place in the World. 


Voices from the Canadian republican movement have been silent.  First Nation reflections, more nuanced. 


CBC reported that First Nations culture is to respect the individual and families when someone dies.  Condolences were proffered.  Subsequent reflections and coverage highlight that the Crown, and therefore the reigning Monarch, are still blamed by many for all that was wrong with British colonialism; for not honouring treaties signed by the Crown with First Nation peoples, and the Anglican Church’s role in Residential Schools.  This is just one of the articles. Similar themes have emerged in interviews with leaders in other former parts of what was the British Empire.  


That the Sovereign as a Constitutional Monarchy is largely ceremonial, cannot speak on political matters, has no power to right the wrongs of past colonial decisions matters not.  The Crown is still seen as culpable even though treaties and legislation were passed by Governments in the name of the Crown only.  The Crown is for many, synonymous with the Monarch.       


We have been immersed in the news for the past few days and will continue to be for another week.   Paying our respects will be virtual.


At a time when Europe, British Prime Minister elections (Leader of the Conservative Party), Scottish independence, the war in Ukraine amongst other stories dominate the news agenda, I occasionally get irritated by grandstanding and political point-scoring by politicians and political leaders.  Having listened to or read many of the tributes I have found myself reappraising some of my views where in the past I might have turned the sound down! They have been generous, fulsome, heartfelt and often humorous.  We can but hope that sad as this news has been, it helps unite rather than divide, and build more positive and constructive dialogue and consensus. I am an inherent optomist!


In other news:


Jack was 7 last week and continues to delight and enjoy Canadian life


The local bear has been much in evidence stocking up on supplies for winter

Forest fires in BC have resulted in Air Quality warnings around Metro Vancouver, not that we needed the warning as we’ve not seen Vancouver Island for a couple of days and a faint smell of smoke is in the air.  Sailing on Sunday, we struggled to see some of the islands in Howe Sound. We need rain! The latest CBC coverage here.


Forest Fires in BC - More burn in Washington State below the border


A near neighbour had a cougar in their garden on Sunday morning (not the first reported sighting).

I’ve almost finished setting up my workshop!


Jack at seven after a visit to the groomers







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