The death of Queen Elizabeth II has brought all kinds of emotions to the fore: grief and sadness over the demise of a stabilizing and comforting presence, respect and awe for her steady hand and sense of duty, and righteous anger over the lasting effects of the British Empire's often violent subjugation of millions around the world.
And then there is the sideshow of gossipy speculation that accompanies any major news about the royal family: Will Charles be able to earn the love and respect of his subjects, especially after the dastardly way he treated his first wife, Princess Diana?
How will the public react to the presence at various funereal functions of the disgraced Prince Andrew, friend of the late Jeffrey Epstein, who settled a lawsuit with a woman who insists he sexually abused her when she was a minor?
