University of Chicago British history expert weighs in on Queen Elizabeth funeral

Queen Elizabeth death: Monarch spent 70 years on the throne, during which much has changed
Monday, September 19, 2022
CHICAGO (WLS) -- A professor of British history at the University of Chicago joined ABC7 Chicago Monday morning to weigh in on what Queen Elizabeth II's funeral means for people across the United Kingdom.

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The queen spent 70 years on the throne, Steve Pincus said, but the idea of the monarchy did change in that time.
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He said this is a moment of transition and celebration, as most people alive in the UK right now never knew another monarch.
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There's also some uncertainty about how the monarchy will move forward.

"Charles is famously opinionated on a variety of issues," Pincus said, "and now he's gonna have to shift from being the Prince of Wales - somebody who could express opinions on a variety of subjects - to being someone who really keeps his opinions close to his vest, and sees and emerges as an apolitical symbol of British and commonwealth unity, which I think is going to be very challenging at this moment."

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Another big change will be currency, as the queen's face is currently on most coins and bills throughout the UK and the Commonwealth.

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