The famous Hollywood film ‘Roman Holiday’, released in 1953, is about the interesting events that occur when a foreign princess who came to Rome for an official visit goes out one night to break the boredom of the formalities and formalities of the palace.
It is said that a princess actually did this 8 years before the release of the movie. Only in London, not in Rome. On May 7, 1945, when Germany surrendered in World War II, Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret are said to have frolicked the night away in the City of London, dressed in the military uniform of an auxiliary corps.
The sun began to set on the British Empire only 2 years after that – with the independence of India. However, friendship with India continued initially through Dominion relations and after 1950 through Commonwealth relations.
Khadar scarf gifted by Gandhiji
The marriage of the crown princess was 3 months after India became independent. India had Dominion status then. When Governor General Mountbatten took leave to attend the wedding, C. Rajagopalachari was appointed as Acting Governor General. (Later, even when Mountbatten stepped down, he succeeded him. So Rajaji was sworn in as the Governor General of India 2 times). That day, Mahatma Gandhi sent Mountbatten a wedding gift – a khadar scarf with embroidery. Elizabeth kept the gift. They also showed it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he visited London recently.
Britain’s relationship with India has had ups and downs depending on the political situation. But despite the decline, warm relations were maintained between the heads of government. The queen also played a big role in this.
Indira stuck to the protocol
During Elizabeth’s second visit to India (1983), a minor protocol problem was resolved by a clever move by 3 women. During the Queen’s stay at Rashtrapati Bhavan, someone advised her to formalize the previously announced British honor for Mother Teresa. When Prime Minister Indira Gandhi came to know about this, she requested British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to advise the Queen to withdraw from it. Thatcher said it would be difficult. Indira also replied that if the Indian Parliament passed a resolution condemning that action, she too could not do anything. With that, Thatcher is said to have advised the Queen to withdraw from the ceremony and to have met Mother Teresa in private to pay her respects.
Interact wisely
It is said that Queen Elizabeth’s personal intervention played a big role behind Britain being able to maintain friendship with the old colonies despite the decline of the empire. She wisely handled not only the former colonies, but also Labor prime ministers who often opposed the monarchy, from Winston Churchill, who hated even the king.
By the end of the last century, hereditary peerages had been limited, but Britain was unwilling to further limit the hereditary monarchy. The royal heritage still has a place in Britain’s political psyche, even if it does not fit the political values of the 21st century. Without Shakespeare, the English language and the royal family, Britain would not exist.
Content Highlight: Queen Elizabeth II