The queen is dead. Having lived till the venerable age of 96, having barely worked a day in her life, she had a good run, bless her; now she can rest in peace. And while in the UK and the so-called ‘territories’, they are debating about the future of the monarchy (and its heritage of white privilege imperialism), while Australia and Canada are seriously considering to ditch the monarchy for republicanism, in this country of ours someone let their enthusiasm go to their heads and came out with the inane proposition to erect a monument to the queen ... in Valletta – where else? You wouldn’t want the royal effigy relegated to some forgotten patch passing for a garden next to a housing estate in Mqabba, would you? What were you saying about decolonised minds Joe? Meanwhile... Loujin won’t make it till she’s 96. She died a few hours before the queen. While Malta was busy celebrating its day of victories with fireworks, pomp and the drunken revelry that is the “traditional” marċ ta’ filgħodu. Loujin was only four years old. She died of thirst at sea. Yes, that same sea you’ve been bathing in all summer long – when the jellyfish didn’t put their mind to ruin it for everyone, that is.