A week or so ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 19 I was asked by media outlets in Asia and beyond to compare Asian monarchies, including their hereditary traditions and conservative mores, with the modern British monarchy. The implication was that Britain's constitutional monarchy has survived by evolving in a democratic context while many Asian kings, monarchs and sultans (and they are all male) have not.
Tea Leaves
Why Britain's royal succession resonates in Asia
Queen Elizabeth's funeral highlights similar focus on reinforcing national identity
The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II arrives at Westminster Hall in London on Sept. 14. The pomp that accompanied the queen's funeral was steeped in the kind of elaborate symbolism and arcane rituals seen in parts of Asia, particularly in Southeast Asia. © Reuters
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