Why are we mourning the Queen when we didn’t (really) know her? | Sarah Wayland

She may not have been part of our immediate family but many of us feel that, during her 70-year reign, we have grown up' with her

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The death of Queen Elizabeth II has prompted public displays of grief around the world - from public gatherings at Buckingham Palace in London, and condolences from world leaders, to individuals reflecting on social media about what she meant to them.

Of course the vast majority of people grieving or acknowledging the queen's passing will have never met her in person.

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Sarah Wayland is a senior lecturer in social work at the University of New England. This article was originally published by the Conversation