The Commonwealth: Family Quarrels

The empire strikes sparks

The minute Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip stepped out of their British Airways TriStar at New Delhi's Palam airport, they were greeted by marching bands, a 21-gun salute and officers arrayed in spotless finery. As a Mercedes six-door limousine ferried the royal visitors through the chrysanthemum-lined streets, welcoming banners fluttered before them and wizened shopkeepers craned their necks to wave at perhaps the world's richest woman. On the last leg of an 18-day, three-nation swing through Africa and Asia, the Queen made it clear that royalty can still command loyalty.

On this occasion, Her Majesty was...

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