When Queen Elizabeth came to Miami, she saw it like a native — sort of | Editorial
She flew into Miami aboard the Concorde on May 17, 1991, and she cruised straight into our hearts. Then Queen Elizabeth II, and her husband, Prince Philip, did Miami. She set young students’ hearts aflutter at Booker T. Washington Middle School. She got a glimpse of Villa Vizcaya, where — legend meeting legend — she and Marjory Stoneman Douglas greeted each other among the throngs.
The queen died on Thursday, at age 96, after a life from which we — though no longer her subjects, since 1776 — could never avert our gaze.
Beneath the pomp and frou-frou of her existence, Elizabeth kept it real — she was real. She had a squabbling family; she had in-law troubles; she had to dress down the “kids” sometimes. Her house caught fire. She was an abuela. She got COVID. She buried a husband. And she loved her dogs. Who can’t relate? Plus, her once-mighty empire was crumbling around her as former colonies in Africa and the Caribbean declared their independence. Less relatable, perhaps.
But in Miami, once you stripped away the motorcades, the googly-eyed and waving crowds, the smattering of protesters and her royal yacht, where she hosted a gala dinner for A-listers, Elizabeth was the consummate tourist, right down to the souvenirs — Gov. Lawton Chiles gifted her orange blossom honey, marmalade and a conch shell — she toted home with her.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat's an editorial?
Editorials are opinion pieces that reflect the views of the Miami Herald Editorial Board, a group of opinion journalists that operates separately from the Miami Herald newsroom. Miami Herald Editorial Board members are: opinion editor Amy Driscoll and editorial writers Isadora Rangel and Mary Anna Mancuso. Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
What's the difference between an op-ed and a column?
How does the Miami Herald Editorial Board decide what to write about?
The Editorial Board, made up of experienced opinion journalists, primarily addresses local and state issues that affect South Florida residents. Each board member has an area of focus, such as education, COVID or local government policy. Board members meet daily and bring up an array of topics for discussion. Once a topic is fully discussed, board members will further report the issue, interviewing stakeholders and others involved and affected, so that the board can present the most informed opinion possible. We strive to provide our community with thought leadership that advocates for policies and priorities that strengthen our communities. Our editorials promote social justice, fairness in economic, educational and social opportunities and an end to systemic racism and inequality. The Editorial Board is separate from the reporters and editors of the Miami Herald newsroom.
How can I contribute to the Miami Herald Opinion section?
The Editorial Board accepts op-ed submissions of 650-700 words from community members who want to argue a specific viewpoint or idea that is relevant to our area. You can email an op-ed submission to oped@miamiherald.com. We also accept 150-word letters to the editor from readers who want to offer their points of view on current issues. For more information on how to submit a letter, go here.
This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 3:17 PM.