When the Queen was born, there wasn't any expectation that she would be Queen. And then out of the blue, when she was still a girl, came this thing which no one could have foreseen. King Edward and Mrs Simpson have been pictured together on many occasions. In this topsy-turvy world, it may be time for an American woman to marry a British king.
From Pelé, the “king of football”, to Britain’s longest-reigning queen, our editors and correspondents reflected on the accomplishments of many notable figures who died this year. But our obituaries editor shone a light also on the lives and legacies of lesser-known figures.
For full access to print, digital and audio editions of The Economist, subscribe here www.economist.com/intelligenceoffer