Brits had their glorious Queen. What do we Americans have?

As an American who has spent his career contemplating and writing about the monarchy and the US-UK relationship, my skills were put to the test this week after the departure of Queen Elizabeth II. She leaves an unfillable void, not only in the hearts of those she represented but also for many of us beyond her realm, including here in America.

I once met Condoleezza Rice at a Washington Christmas party. I asked this brilliant politician and professor, who had been both US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, what stood out as the most memorable moment of her career. Do you know what she answered? ‘Playing piano at Buckingham Palace for the Queen and Prince Philip.’

I can fully relate. As an advisor to Congress on US-UK affairs I was invited to meet the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh in 2007, on their last ever official visit to the United States.