Got emotional today. At 72, she has been in the background for most of my life. Was never meant to be Queen...it was not even certain when her father became king. A friend remembered that she said she prayed that her mother would have a son so she could avoid the throne. She accepted it was her duty and took it on resolutely ...even when she was a young wife and mother. A great woman.
While obviously it is sad news, I don't see why football or other events should be cancelled, surely people would rather mark it with respect or celebration of a good long life.
This. I think all sporting events in the UK have been postponed tomorrow which is totally understandable. But a better tribute to the Queen on Saturday would be a full sporting calendar IMO. Sport (in particular horse racing) was a big part of her life for many years after all. Let the sporting world pay tribute.
I agree. I understand the concept, but it unfortunately feels outdated and an example of an unhealthy way to deal with death and grief. Of course if it was the day itself or the day after I'd understand, but over a prolonged period isn't good for people I feel. Better to carry on with life, but also dedicate some time in there to the Queen, rather than shut down.
Have to be honest , when I saw the photo of when she met truss when she was made PM , I said to MRS J that I thought she ( the queen not my much better half ). Looked very very frail . It honestly hasn’t come as a shock to me at all .
As a republican, I had the utmost respect for the Queen, who reigned throughout my whole life and was probably the most constant factor in the world around us in the last 70 years. So much has changed in that time, and yet she was always there. Things just won’t be the same from now on. RIP Your Majesty
I would 100% echo these sentiments. I think her reign was exemplary but I do wonder whether the fact that Fran's comment about her being a constant will ultimately have an impact on our constitution. Elizabeth's reign will not be beaten for length and I don't think it will be matched with regard to how she remained relevant as society changed. In a nutshell, she set the benchmark incredibly high which will mean future monarchs will always be judged against her and I wonder whether this will lead to greater disatisfaction with the idea of a constitutional monarchy. Think this might to the point from which our constitution will start to be radically reformed.
Like ChilcoSaint I'm a Republican but have always respected the Queen. Unlike some in her family she's demonstrated a work ethic and love for this nation which cannot be questioned. I respect her even more as on the one occassion she misread public sentiment (death of Diana) she admitted a mistake had been made and apologised, takes guts to do that. I'm not a fan of the 'enforced' mourning period we are experiencing. It is an outdated and artificial respose. We all deal with loss in different ways and that is better understood these days. The Queen never seemed one for inflicting such on her subjects, she was quite clear that the Jubilee stuff should go ahead even if she popped off the week before. So imo it's a mistake to cancel sports and other events for a week or so, indeed it would've given many opportunities to express respect and joy about her life. Anyway I'll raise a glass to her memory while remembering the moments when I felt she touched my life. Like handing over a bloody big cup, making me laugh out loud as as she 'jumped' out of a plane and giving me a little wave as she visited the Ordnance Survey.
Whilst I’m no royalist, I find that I’m slightly saddened by this news, and I understand that lots will feel this loss deeply. Her dedication and sense of duty to the country can not questioned. RIP.
A Good song for today I feel . Mods feel free to move it wherever you like , I just think it is very suitable .
My Dad was at the survey for his whole career. I can remember being at the bicentennial up at the Tower of London as a young lad and her coming over to us to say hello and ask if we were enjoying our day.
Guardian are reporting that the Palace are not keen to have a lengthy period of no sport. So at most, it will be this weekend's games only called off. Sport in mourning with British events suspended in tribute to the Queen | Sport | The Guardian
Ditto to the above. For all she has given to the country, with complete devotion, it has to be remembered that she was also a mother, grandmother and great grandmother and my thoughts are with them. RIP the Queen.
Or vice versa. If the funeral is in 10 days from the date of death (so, Sunday 18th), then next weekends games would be off. Or even just those on the Sunday.
