Why Malaysia, Singapore, India and other former British colonies in Asia watched Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral

Many Asians that tuned into the live broadcast of the late Queen’s funeral were attracted by the pomp and ceremony, novelty factor

Despite “racist and hierarchical” society that British rule in Asia was often associated with, some Asians saw a “more positive than negative” legacy

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Rather than colonial legacies or memories, many Asians said they were drawn by the pomp and ceremony of the funeral at Westminster Abbey. Photo: AP

Published: 8:48pm, 19 Sep 2022Updated: 10:38pm, 19 Sep 2022

With world leaders and dignitaries flown in from across the globe, and a crowd of over two million people filling the streets of London, Queen Elizabeth’s funeral was closely watched in Britain and beyond, including in Asia.

Across the region, citizens tuned in to the state funeral – Britain’s first since the passing of Winston Churchill in 1965 – on live streams on YouTube and other social media platforms.

Rather than due to colonial legacies or memories, Asians are likely to have been drawn to the intricacies of the ceremony that involved some 2,000 participants, observers said.

James Chin, professor of Asian studies at the University of Tasmania in Australia, said “people like the pomp and ceremony” that the British are known for.

The coffin of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth is carried into the Westminster Abbey, during her funeral in London. Photo: AP

“People are also curious [and will be tuning in] because there are so many heads of government and heads of state,” Chin said, adding that there has not been a royal funeral for almost a hundred years.

Why Malaysia, Singapore, India and other former British colonies in Asia watched Queen Elizabeth’s state funeral

Many Asians that tuned into the live broadcast of the late Queen’s funeral were attracted by the pomp and ceremony, novelty factor Despite “racist and hierarchical” society that British rule in Asia was often associated with, some Asians saw a “more positive than negative” legacy

Many Asians that tuned into the live broadcast of the late Queen’s funeral were attracted by the pomp and ceremony, novelty factor

Despite “racist and hierarchical” society that British rule in Asia was often associated with, some Asians saw a “more positive than negative” legacy