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When the world still seemed fine: The Sussexes and the Queen in the summer of 2018
Photo:
POOL New / REUTERS
On Sunday evening, a few hours before a storm broke on the other side of the Atlantic, the British royal family celebrated in front of their willing subjects.
The audience on BBC One was not quite as numerous as later on the US competitor CBS - but the images were less disturbing.
One saw: a black Christian community at a gospel mass, Muslims at Friday prayers, women in sari and men with turbans vaccinating, young people doing zoom yoga.
A motley family of states that sticks together despite all adversities.
Led by an old lady who hunched over but moves forward with determination.
The 94-year-old Queen spoke of "selfless fulfillment of duty" in her video message, of a "new sense of togetherness" that had grown in times of pandemics, of "friendship and unity".
The Queen was powerless against what was to come
The royal edification lesson on the eve of Commonwealth Day had been terminated months ago.
Yet the broadcast seemed like a premature commentary on what was brewing overnight in the United States.
Every sentence is a commitment to long-standing traditions.
Each picture is a reminder to respect the achievements in the name of the crown.
It almost seemed as if the royal family wanted to arm themselves in good time.
But the Queen and her followers were largely powerless against what came next.
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