The Death of a Monarch

On September 8th, 2022, around 12:30 PM CST, the news of Queen Elizabeth II’s death broke out around the world and found its way into the halls of Northwest High School.

Queen Elizabeth II died at the age of 96. Her cause of death has not been disclosed, but her health had declined over recent months.

Reigning for over 70 years, Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving monarch in British history. She has been Queen for as long as most people can remember. Like many world leaders, the internet turned the Queen into an icon. So when news of her death broke, even the students in Northwest High School had huge reactions.

The news went viral towards the end of Northwest’s B Lunch, so many students found out as they were returning to class. The word spread in a matter of minutes. Students around Northwest were posting on their stories and calling to each other in the halls, “The Queen is dead!” 

Many students struggled to focus after the news was released. Junior Sadie Maas was in English III at the time. Maas described, “It was outrageous. The whole class was in sorrow.” 

Senior Tess Teta feels differently about the Queen’s death, however. Teta believes her reign should not be celebrated. She explained, “We all know what happened in India. The British Crown came and took everything and left them the scraps.” Teta also referenced the Crown Jewels, a valuable collection of treasures in London. Two of the jewels were taken from India and Africa. After the Queen’s death, many think the jewels should be returned to their countries, since the Crown acquired them—and much of their wealth—through colonialism.

Junior Docken Haas has a similar perspective. Haas stated, “I don’t really care [about the Queen’s death.] We broke off with their nation for a reason.” 

Katia Wilson, a 21-year-old Waukee High School alum studying abroad in London, saw the effects of the Queen’s death firsthand. When the Queen passed away, the news reached Wilson almost immediately. “Reactions were all over the place… My first thought I had was just that I was living through history within the United Kingdom,” Wilson described. She hopes to attend the Queen’s funeral, which will be a national holiday, to pay respects. She stated, “I feel sad in regards to the Queen’s death because it was such a beautiful and empowering thing for young women to see a woman in power, and in power for so long.” Now that the Queen has passed, her son Charles III is king.

Queen Elizabeth II’s death is the end of an era. The Queen was the heart of British culture: her face decorates British bills, and their anthem sang “God save the Queen.” But now, for the first time in 70 years, Britain will sing “God save the King.”