Debate on Queen Elizabeth legacy 'valid, necessary'

Phillipson briefed the media on Wednesday morning.

Queen Elizabeth, who was the UK’s longest-serving monarch, died last week Thursday at the age of 96.

The queen's passing has sparked fierce debate on the British monarchy’s colonial past in Africa and her role as the head of state during British rule.

Phillipson said he believes it is important to reflect on and acknowledge past relationships in order to move forward.

"We have been following how people commented on it, there have been a variety of sentiments but a considerable amount of warmth and positive sentiments as well. In terms of what it means for the debate that it is opening up, I think his majesty King Charles III has commented on this in his opening address at the Commonwealth meeting in Rwanda, where he talked about the need to recognise our past and our shared history, both the positive and the not so positive.

“I think it's been interesting to see how the death of Her Majesty has prompted this, but I think some of those discussions were happening anyway in the context of countries going through their own evolutions and development. I think it has always been important to reflect on that when we are thinking about our relationship, the UK's relationship with these countries. I think we have always wanted to be very conscious of how people perceive past relationships, we can't change history but I think we can recognise how it impacts on people and how they react to it," said Phillipson.

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