A day of remembrance for the Queen was held in India, a country whose populist politicians regularly attack British imperialism. Even Brazil and Lebanon observed official days of mourning. The 10-hour queues for lying in state at Westminster are mirrored by Hong Kong queues for the book of condolence signing. Polls show that almost half of Canadians plan to attend the funeral. When it starts, the world will stop. More than four billion viewers have been predicted, which would make it the most watched event in human history. All this is, in itself, quite something. When a respected world leader dies, there is always mourning – but never on this scale. A record 4.8 million people followed the flight that brought the Queen’s coffin from Edinburgh, a number that was quite well reported. But one aspect of this was not made public: almost half the interest was from abroad, mainly America and Germany. In various ways the magic of monarchy, which has appeared so vividly, can be seen at work throughout the world. The night he died, I walked to Buckingham Palace to watch the crowd gather. Part of that, of course, is simple tourism: Americans who happen to be in London and who, of course, want to take part in history. Crowds attract crowds. But there were others. I met a Polish couple who delayed their flight home to put flowers. He had worked here for some years and had come out of respect for the reception he had received in Britain. Even for them, the concept of queen and country were inseparable. In interviews with those in the five-mile queue for Westminster Hall, we heard from Ghanaians, Kenyans, Indonesians, Italians: some holidaying here, others having traveled for the occasion. Which, of course, sounds dumb. Why be sad for the monarch of another country? It was Emmanuel Macron who explained it best. “To you she was your queen. For us she was the queen.” That’s the point. Amid the absurd series of articles attacking the monarchy, the New York Times also weighed in on the mood at home asking: “Was Elizabeth America’s Queen? This week it looked like that.” Enough. This was as true in her life as it was in her death. Nothing in the modern British diplomatic toolbox has a fraction of the power of the monarchy. When Reagan finally supported Thatcher in the Falklands, the prospect of riding with the Queen in Windsor Great Park was part of the sweetener package used. When David Cameron was trying to convince Angela Merkel to back his bid to renegotiate Britain’s EU membership, British diplomats in Berlin were asking what he wanted most. The answer came back: what he would like, above all, was a cup of tea with the Queen. An offer of an audience with her, or any member of the royal family, held more appeal for world leaders than all other possible incentives combined. So it’s not just Polish plumbers and American backpackers who are drawn to the Crown, who go out of their way to be physically present in royalty. The strongest, most honest people in the world were willing to do almost anything to meet this silent woman who had no authority. The “Queen of America”. “The Queen” for France – all accolades from countries that long ago overthrew their own monarchs and made great play of seeing the Crown as a relic from medieval times. But its modern relevance and power is being expressed anew now. In an era of culture wars and clash of civilizations, the Queen has become a symbol and source of unity, both nationally and globally. Her admiration is something that billions of people, all over the world, seem able to agree on. This is not an issue for the monarchy in general. There are 27 other kings and queens in the world, eight of them in the Arab world. But if Netflix ever makes a Saudi version of The Crown, it’s likely to look more like Narcos: Mexico than a character study. The Queen’s behavior, her daily diary of service, is what made her monarchy such a spectacular success: her power came from her restraint. Hers is a story that can only come from Britain, which is why she has always been the country’s greatest ambassador. Now and again, there is an inquiry into Britain and its global reputation. Brexit may have sent some newspapers and politicians into a frenzy, but it hasn’t really hurt how others see us. Surveys show that people think mainly of the British: musicians and sportsmen, the military, TV and film personalities. Politicians are way down the list. And at the top is the monarch, whose understatement and service personified what so much of the outside world regards as British values – and ones with global appeal. Logistics and security for next Monday is a nightmare because it will be a gathering the likes of which the world has rarely seen, with so many presidents and prime ministers under one roof. Xi Jinping has barely left Beijing since the pandemic, but is sending Wang Qishan, his vice president and right-hand man: a development seen in China as the highest sign of respect. Biden, 79, hadn’t expected to come because no US president had ever come here for a state funeral – but apparently, he wasn’t going to be stopped. The government’s practical concerns are, quite literally, about how many VVIP motorcades can fit on the M4. In this way, the Queen continues to bring honor to Britain. And that was, perhaps, her greatest gift to her country: the ability to show the world our best selves.
