Growing up in Zimbabwe which used to be Rhodesia (a British Colony) before its independence in 1980, we were supporters of the Queen and the royal family. We grew up in awe of them and followed their story and history. We had many British friends and relatives living in Zimbabwe and it was the 'norm'.
When I moved to Cyprus - which was also a British Colony but gained independence in 1960 after a guerrilla group wanted to unite with Greece and many Cypriots were killed in the process...I realised that they were opposite to the people 'left behind' in Zim. They were bitter about the war and deaths and hated the Queen and the royals.
The truth is Cyprus is an island that has been abused many times by many different countries, tried to be taken over and until recently divided in half by the Turks who managed to take over the north part of the island. So its people are a little 'angry' generally, with any outsiders.
So at the news of the death of the Queen, which has ended an era for most of us, I couldn't quite express myself in Cyprus. But the truth of it is that a big symbol of our generation has died whether we want to acknowledge it or not. Whether you supported or liked the Queen, she was a formidable leader who served her country well and loved her people. which is what her duty required and she did it well for most of her life.
We hope that her successor, King Charles will be as strong and able as she was.
MHDSRIP
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