Sex Pistols' Johnny Rotten, who once sang the queen 'ain't no human being,' now pays his respects
Back in 1977, when he was the snarling lead singer of the Sex Pistols, John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten) belted out a punk rock takedown of Queen Elizabeth II and the monarchy that began, “God save the Queen/ She ain’t no human being.”
But a day after Elizabeth’s death, Lydon paid his respects on Twitter to a monarch he dismissed as a “figurehead” in the Pistols’ version of “God Save the Queen.”
“Rest in Peace Queen Elizabeth II,” Lydon posted Friday on his official account. “Send her victorious.”
Lydon, in a 2017 interview, insisted his song wasn’t a personal attack on Her Majesty.
“That’s about a political situation and the demand for obedience to a monarchy I don’t believe in,” he said. “But that’s a human being and I would sorely miss her as a human being on planet Earth.”
Stamps, seals and cereal boxes: What changes now that Charles is king?
LONDON — Her name, initials and image are woven into the fabric of daily British life — on money, stamps and even cereal boxes.
But after Queen Elizabeth II’s death Thursday, her portrait, insignia or initials which have formed the backdrop of daily life in the United Kingdom for the last seven decades will be phased out and replaced by those of her oldest son, King Charles III.
Those changes will likely be disconcerting for some, even if they had never met the queen in person, said Michala Hulme, a history professor at the University of Birmingham.
“Her death takes away that constant, reassuring notion that she’s always there,” she said in an interview before the queen’s death.
Watch: U.K.’s new king holds audience with new prime minister
‘The most remarkable person’: Women leaders laud queen’s example
LONDON — As a female monarch and head of state, for 70 years Queen Elizabeth II braved a world dominated by men. From her extremely rarified perch, she encouraged high-profile women in public service, according to a few who crossed her path.
Paying tribute to the monarch in Britain’s Parliament, former Prime Minister Theresa May said the queen was “quite simply the most remarkable person I have ever met.”
Recalling their regular encounters — prime ministers met the queen weekly for private audiences — May said Friday that they “were not meetings with a high and mighty monarch, but a conversation with a woman of experience and knowledge and immense wisdom.”
“What made those audiences so special was the understanding the queen had of issues,” she added.
A big-screen tribute to the queen
William and Kate become Prince and Princess of Wales
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, will become Prince and Princess of Wales, King Charles said in his inaugural address to the nation.
“Today, I am proud to create him Prince of Wales, Tywysog Cymru, the country whose title I have been so greatly privileged to bear during so much of my life and duty,” the new monarch said.
“With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given,” he added.
He said he also wanted to “express my love for Harry and Meghan as they continue to build their lives overseas.”
King Charles pays tribute to his mother in address to the nation
Britain’s new monarch paid tribute to his mother in his inaugural address to the nation as king, describing her as “an inspiration and example to me and to all my family” and thanking her “for her love, affection, guidance, understanding and example.”
“Queen Elizabeth was a life well lived, a promise with destiny kept, and she is mourned most deeply in her passing. That promise of lifelong service I renew to you all today,” King Charles III said.
“Her dedication and devotion as sovereign never wavered, through times of change and progress, through times of joy and celebration, and through times of sadness and loss,” he said, adding that “the affection, admiration and respect she inspired became the hallmark of her reign.”
Thanking the queen for her “love and devotion to our family and to the family of nations you have served so diligently all these years,” he signed off by saying: “May ‘flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.’”
Irish soccer team apologizes for fans celebrating queen's death
Shamrock Rovers apologized Friday for fans of the famed Irish soccer team who celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's death with offensive chants hours after she died.
"Shamrock Rovers F.C. has been made aware of chants by a group of individuals at last night’s game," the club said in a statement. "Such highly insensitive and callous chanting is not acceptable at our club and is against the values that Shamrock Rovers F.C. stands for."
The mocking chants at Tallaght Stadium came during the club's match against Swedish side Djurgårdens. The Europa Conference League contest ended 0-0.
Manager of England soccer team on queen's death
Queen's death revives criticism of Britain's colonial past
As the death Thursday of Queen Elizabeth II prompted an outpouring of grief from millions across the world, it also revived criticism of her legacy, highlighting the complicated feelings of those who saw her as a symbol of the British colonial empire — an institution that enriched itself through violence, theft and oppression.
“If anyone expects me to express anything but disdain for the monarch who supervised a government that sponsored the genocide that massacred and displaced half my family and the consequences of which those alive today are still trying to overcome, you can keep wishing upon a star,” Uju Anya, an associate professor of second language acquisition at Carnegie Mellon University, tweeted Thursday afternoon.
While Elizabeth ruled as Britain navigated a post-colonial era, she still bore a connection to its colonial past, which was rooted in racism and violence against Asian and African colonies. There have been growing calls in recent years for the monarchy to confront its colonial past.