How does the punctuation used affect the meaning in this sentence?

Question

Here is the sentence:

Life in Britain changed enormously under Elizabeth; but the monarchy adapted, and emerged stronger.

Were it up to me, I would phrase it based on my comprehension as:

Life in Britain changed enormously under Elizabeth; the monarchy adapted and emerged stronger.

But this is the Economist, and the author likely knows how to employ the punctuations to the greatest effect. I wonder if anyone could kindly explain to me what the meaning based on how the semi-colon and the comma are used here is.

And here is the original passage:

After 70 years on the throne, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch died on September 8th, aged 96. Only Britons already in old age can remember singing “God Save the King” for George VI, but they will now do so for Elizabeth’s son and successor, Charles III. Life in Britain changed enormously under Elizabeth; but the monarchy adapted, and emerged stronger. On this page you will find our assessments of her reign and what the future might hold for Britain, the 14 other countries where Charles is now head of state and the wider Commonwealth.

Thank you very much!

asked Oct 29, 2022 at 10:56

NickNick

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Accepted Answer

It's the omitting of the 'but' that changes the meaning. The inclusion of 'but' indicates that the monarchy adapted to cope with the changes taking place in society at large. 'But' = 'but, though this was happening,'.

(The original semicolon before the 'but' is used, rather than the expected comma, to show that this is a more major separator than the comma used before 'and'. A 'supercomma' usage. Semicolons before coordinators are otherwise archaic.)

Without the 'but', the implication is that the monarchy adapting is merely part of (not necessarily in response to) the enormous changes in the country.