As said before my hubbie was born on coronation day. The Queen and hubbie celebrated their Platinum Jubilee together in June. It seems impossible that she is not here. It's really unlikely my granddaughters ( 1 and3 years old) will be ruled by a queen. Our whole national identity changed in 72 hours...with a change of Monarch and PM. I hope for the better...but I doubt it
That was part of her magic. Most republicans and maybe even anti-royalists acknowledged that she was a great person. Of course there is the hard-core who, no doubt, don't think that but most, wisely, keep their opinions to themsleves at this time. Except dear old Trevor!!
Actually surprisingly moving address from King Charles. He's clearly distraught at the loss of his mother.
I thought he delivered it well. I'm sure he relied on both his parents for advice, and he's lost them both in a comparatively short time. It's going to take me a while to adjust to the title "King Charles". Every time I see it, I'm either reminded of the bloke who had his head chopped off, or Nell Gwyn displaying her oranges.
This is a great story which shows an ordinary person performing an extraordinary role. May She Rest In Peace. .
It was a wonderful balance of personal and official. He could not have delivered it better. It's an undoubted talent to do it that well, without a hint of woodeness or starchiness. He's come along way. We can owe the personalisation of the Royal Family in part to Diana's influence.
Just watched the King's Proclamation. No other Country can do these historic, traditions like us imo. Everyone must have been and very much looked incredibly nervous, especially when signing the documents with fountain pens using ink from an ink well. I thought Penny Mourdant did particularly well overseeing everything.
OK, had time to ponder this now. I’m not a monarchist, or particularly a Republican, doesn’t make much difference to me whether we have an hereditary head of state or an elected one as long as the powers are similar. In terms of neutrality there may be advantages to the hereditary model, though the immense wealth the family has acquired and inherited, and the deference they are shown don’t sit easily with me. Might be offset by the tourism impact. Certainly nowhere near the top of the list of things in this country which need urgent attention. However, Elizabeth II is undoubtedly the reason the monarchy in this country is still fairly robust, despite the best efforts of some of her offspring and their offspring to undermine it. Her obvious devotion to the role and the institution and her immense dignity was awe inspiring, and the sincere comments of many ordinary people and world leaders bear testament to that. In some ways I pity the royals - born into a role with no real choice - even if you walk away you never really escape as Harry is showing - a life bound by ritual, dressing up and handshaking, albeit a very comfortable one. Reminds me of Gormenghast, if anyone has read that. I suspect that my generation is one of the last which will really mind about this stuff. Certainly my kids (in their twenties) don’t have especially strong feelings. More personally, when I was really young (between the ages of 2 and 6) we lived in Old Windsor, and we spent quite a bit of time in Windsor Great Park. We would often see royals in their land rovers or on horseback, especially the Queen and Princess Anne for the latter, and they would always return waves and smile. Was a buzz then and even now it resonates. Perhaps monarchy is hardwired in to some of the British psyche, even for cynical old gits like me. I will miss her vague, distant but benign presence. Continuity and stability are not bad things, especially in current circumstances.
Call me a cynic, but the "reunion" walkabout between William and Harry and respective spouses around the flowers looked awkward and brittle. News presenters are gushing that love has broken out. Bollocks. Harry's written his book and won't bin it. It's just wallpaper to make the funeral a little less tense and ensure the hostilities don't take up too many newspaper inches the next day.
My Sons, both in their twenties, are very moved by recent events. A lot of the crowds gathered at Windsor and Buckingham Palace looked generally relatively young (under 50) too. I think those who have anti-Royalist views, whilst this is completely their prerogative, may discover just how out of step they are with the general public over the next couple of weeks. I do however acknowledge that King Charles will have his work cut out keeping that level of support. My guess is that it will slowly diminish till William takes over when he and Kate will revive it once again.
I think that if he had a choice he would've gladly stepped aside and let William take the crown now. He's always been very shy and sensitive, and the relationship with Camilla especially during his marriage with Diana will never be forgotten by alot of the public. Here's hoping he's up to the job relatively speaking.
