‘A lighthouse in the storm.’ Middle Georgia State president reacts to Queen Elizabeth’s death
Queen Elizabeth II’s death marks the end of an era, one that stretched from post-World War II to the Internet Age and COVID-19.
Middle Georgia State University President Christopher Blake is originally from England and only recently returned from a trip to the U.K. He discussed the unique impact that Queen Elizabeth II had on Britain and the world with the Telegraph Thursday afternoon.
“It is, on one hand, a sad day,” Blake said. “But also, in a strange way, a joyous one. She had the longest reign in British history… she was here for her Platinum Jubilee a few months ago, and she was even able to oversee the transfer of power between two prime ministers earlier this week.”
Blake noted that Queen Elizabeth was Britain’s monarch for 70 years: she’s the only monarch most Brits have ever known.
“She’s been a constant for generations; through changes in politics, different governments, we’ve only ever known Queen Elizabeth,” he said. “[Princess] Diana’s death was a fork in the road, and the queen managed successfully to become a figure we all rallied around.
“The British people felt comfort from her through the pandemic and the war in Ukraine; she was there at the end of the Second World War and there through today, so there’s a sense for the Brits and for me, personally, that she was a lighthouse in the storm.”
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The response to Queen Elizabeth’s death in the United States is a demonstration of the strong relationship between the U.K. and the U.S., Blake said. She was not the legislative or executive head of the British government, but she served a vital symbolic role for both the U.K. and the countries and territories that are part of the British Commonwealth.
“She symbolized the unity of the nation. In America, that symbolism is tied up in the president, but that person changes,” he said. “Amazingly, she was queen for 15 prime ministers and during the time of 14 U.S. presidents. Her first prime minister was Winston Churchill.”
Blake said Queen Elizabeth left the monarchy in a strong position, as evidenced by the transition to her son, now King Charles III, and the general enthusiasm toward Prince William and Kate Middleton.
“All of us are mortal, all of us have a role, she showed us what duty can be at its finest,” he said. “She taught us that you can make mistakes, you grow, there are ebbs and flows, good times and bad. You just need to know the ground beneath you is secure. She was a good person, a dutiful person and a committed person.”
