Queen Elizabeth II leaves behind a kingdom deeply grieving and badly shaken by her loss. For many, the monarch and monarchy had become indivisible. Even though Prince Charles has had almost a lifetime to prepare for his succession, the institution will be seriously challenged. The expressions of grief and heartfelt tributes will throw a cloak also over a deeper uncertainty. For how long will the union over which she reigned — the United Kingdom of the three nations of Britain and Northern Ireland — outlive her?
女王伊莉莎白二世留下的是一個沉浸在悲痛之中的王國。對許多人來說,君主和君主制已經不可分割。儘管查爾斯王子幾乎用了一輩子的時間來準備他的繼任,但這一制度將受到嚴重挑戰。悲傷的表達和衷心的哀悼,也掩蓋了更深層次的不確定性。她統治下的聯合王國——大不列顛和北愛爾蘭三個國家組成的聯合王國——能比她多活多久?