Why Some People From Ireland, India Are Celebrating Queen's Death

Much of the world has reacted in sadness to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II but there are some people who are, in fact, celebrating.

People in countries formerly controlled by Britain, such as India, Ireland, Australia and Nigeria, were quick to point out the monarchy's role in the subjugation of their countries.

Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, with her oldest son Charles immediately becoming King Charles III.

While the Queen reigned during a period of much change for the British Empire and the subsequently formed Commonwealth of Nations, many in former colonies consider her a figurehead for the brutality their people suffered.

The British Empire at the height of its power was described as the "the empire on which the sun never set" and commanded 23 percent of the world's population in 1913.

It had controlled countries across every continent and today 14 overseas territories remain under British sovereignty.

Following the announcement of Elizabeth's death, some people flocked to social media to celebrate.

One even went as far as to edit a video of the Irish dancers Cairde performing at the front of Buckingham Palace with Queen's hit song "Another One Bites the Dust" as the soundtrack.

Others brought up the many millions who died under British imperialism.

"I have deep regards for Queen Elizabeth II as a person, mother and grandmother. But she is also head of a monarchy that benefited from systematic exploitation of Ireland and India for centuries. Therefore deep disdain for her as a monarch!" wrote one person on Twitter.

Another wrote: "The Queen has died. Let's take this opportunity to remember all those millions of people who died as a result of British imperialism in Africa, India, Ireland, during slavery and in so many countries in the world who didn't have such a long and privileged life."

A third wrote: "Where's the avengers endgame edit with Ireland, India, Jamaica, Nigeria, Ghana etc teaming up to celebrate the death of the queen?"

A fourth commented: "Reminder that Queen Elizabeth is not a remnant of colonial times. She was an active participant in colonialism. She actively tried to stop independence movements & she tried to keep newly independent colonies from leaving the commonwealth. The evil she did was enough."

Some Aboriginal Australians also marked the Queen's death with celebration, after the arrival of the British in 1778 resulted in the devastation of their population, and ongoing issues to this day.

"Wishing a lovely day to aboriginal relatives in Australia," said one person on Twitter.

Some of the younger royals, including Princes William and Harry, have attempted to address Britain's role in the violence and subjugation of the people in its colonies.

The Duke of Cambridge said the "appalling atrocity of slavery forever stains our history" during a royal Caribbean tour with his wife Kate Middleton this year.

He spoke hours after Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness told him of the country's ambition to remove the then Queen Elizabeth II as head of state.

William and Kate were met with protests on the tour including in Jamaica's capital, Kingston, with campaigners calling for an apology for slavery and reparations.

The Advocates Network, which organized the demonstration, issued an open letter to the couple stating the Queen had "done nothing to redress and atone for the suffering of our ancestors."

Harry and his wife Meghan Markle triggered a conversation about the crimes of Britain's past when he described the struggle in Commonwealth countries to "move forward."

Harry said: "When you look across the Commonwealth, there is no way that we can move forward unless we acknowledge the past."

Meghan said: "It's not just in the big moments, it's in the quiet moments where racism and unconscious bias lies and hides and thrives."