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the royal family brings in tourism,
Absolutely. I mean Paris is devoid of tourists after what the French did to their Royal family.
I think it is good to see different opinions here.
My views are it is always sad when someone dies but I don't have any special feeling on the occasion.
I have sympathy for the family. They live in a privileged yes but very weird bubble. The Queen worked hard but I don't think she was ever a good Mam/Mum/Mother in the sense that most of us had or wanted. I think it will be a difficult process for her kids to go through.
"The Queen worked hard!"Lolz
All the world leaders will have to attend the funeral, London's gonna be a busy place. How soon after do they have the coronation? You'd want it the next day as all the commonwealth leaders would likely attend that too and they'll still be in the country.
Its been interesting reading this because there are viewpoints expressed that are alien to me. Its always good to see differing views. Its one of the things i find valuable on this site.
The Windsor brand has been very well marketed for decades. I'm quite interested as to seeing how this next fortnight goes and as to whether they can cement Charles into the same spot in the country's psyche.
“The Queen worked hard!”Lolz
say what you like about her, she had impeccable PR 😉
Not a chance - Charles is damaged goods to many. He’s not going to attract the same level of attention the Queen did.
How soon after do they have the coronation?
It'll be ages after. It was about a year IIRC between the Queens ascension and coronation.
Not a chance – Charles is damaged goods to many. He’s not going to attract the same level of attention the Queen did.
Maybe I should have said 'start to cement'.
However, he did rather well following Dianna's death, appearing with his wedding ring rather prominent for TV and press appearances. He was definitely the grieving husband not the cheating ex after that.
Not sure it takes much to turn public perception if you have the PR might of the royal family.
What is quite funny, is the amount of haters for Charles and Camilla, even among the Daily Heil readers. They do not get that he is now their King and Camilla is Queen Consort. Thems the rules!
I started wondering if the spivvery and shitbaggery in Westminster will go (even more 🙄) unchecked now, as previously they might at least have felt they had to show some deference to the Queen, if only to keep the DM readers on side. Now it's Charles and Camilla, will the Tories care quite so much?
(I realise my argument is massively undermined by the fact that 'due deference' didn't stop BoJo lying to her, or Theresa May obliging her to meet Trump, but still).
This did result in a dawning comprehension of what the Queen meant to the country, maybe a sort of link back to the sort of Britain a lot of people either think we still are (decent, chivalrous, important) or wish we could be again, even if they misdirect this yearning in strange ways e.g. Brexit etc.
I’m also proud to be a member of the emergency services so my whole working life has had connections to the Queen.
Me too. I don’t see it as a connection to the crown
I once provided medical cover for the Queen though.
Different service to me then drac
https://twitter.com/i/status/1567894552744271872
"She can be a bit cantankerous but she's got a great sense of humour"
How long do we think/guess that Charles will stay?
My gut feeling says that I will see two coronation in this life, whether that's a good or bad sign I don't know.
Three more coronation at best but if they survive it will be forever, there is a dark force looming.
Different service to me then drac
Probably but I get the medals. I just don’t see it that way.
It took me buy surprise that I felt a little emotional about it but I've never taken much interest in the royal family other than my Dad (in his 80s now) watched the Queen's speech at Christmas without fail, I think its the most important part of Christmas for him.
Have never felt much sadness at the passing of a famous person before. I don't take much interest in famous people/celebrities.
Some people watch a movie and cry. Maybe this is something almost like an intermittently watched movie that's been running for 70 years?
He’s been in waiting all his life and probably wants to do a stint, but he’s 73 and probably many people think William is ready and a fresh monarchy with a generational change is needed.
I agree. I hope he does a short bit but then hands it over* to William and Kate who, I think, will do a great job.
* partly because of this:
Charles is damaged goods to many.
Don't really see how any royalist could object to Charles, I mean the whole point of having a monarch is that it's a hereditary position that makes no reference to how suitable or otherwise the current inhabitant of that position may happen to be.
If you don't support Charles because he's shit, you don't support the concept, full stop.
If you don’t support Charles because he’s shit, you don’t support the concept,
full stopperiod.
Jekyll, BBC saying funeral probably 10-11 days time, BH, schools closed.
B******, I won't get an extra days holiday allowance, and I've already taken my annual leave, so that's a day unpaid.
I think my sympathy just ran out.
BBC currently reporting that history has actually stopped. If this is how they are reporting things on Day 1, where do they go in the next 10 days?
Mad rush for commemorative papers this morning - saw a few people bulk buying them.
R6 is trying to play the game, but I am not sure Amy Winehouse is in the true spirit of miserablism.
Day off for me also means no pay.
Have never felt much sadness at the passing of a famous person before. I don’t take much interest in famous people/celebrities.
Same here as with many in commonwealth nations.
I agree. I hope he does a short bit but then hands it over* to William and Kate who, I think, will do a great job.
Not easy for Will and Kate because there is a dark force, you know who, that will challenge them. Importantly Kate needs to be strong as she needs to support the Kings.
B******, I won’t get an extra days holiday allowance, and I’ve already taken my annual leave, so that’s a day unpaid.
I think my sympathy just ran out.
Your routine being disrupted?
there is a dark force, you know who, that will challenge them
Voldemort? Darth Sidious?
As we enter day two of ten, I just want to share some of the wonderful memories.
There was the time she saw some cows at an event and said 'cows'.
There was another time when she was with Mr Trump and he acted slightly disrespectfully.
Wonderful memories. I'm sure there are others.
Voldemort? Darth Sidious?
If you want to call it that way.
The dark force will come from within the family.
Not easy for Will and Kate because there is a dark force, you know who, that will challenge them. Importantly Kate needs to be strong as she needs to support the Kings.
Huh?
there is a dark force, you know who, that will challenge them.
Have you not had your Windows Updates this week?
Or are you being racist?
Huh?
No need to understand. If you don't get it you won't. Not important. Just my opinion.
Have you not had your Windows Updates this week?
Or are you being racist?
??? Racist? You read too much into that. Didn't cross my mind at all. Dark force is just negative energy that can come from everywhere but the strongest is usually within.
Now I'm officially pissed off. A social bike ride that was planned for tomorrow has been called off as a mark of respect.
I mean, whit??
BBC saying funeral probably 10-11 days time, BH, schools closed.
Ha, look after you own kids suckers, wait hang on doesn't someone have to look after mine, I am a key worker!
Dark force? Oh, can we now be all 70's and start posting clips from love thy neighbour?
How long do we think/guess that Charles will stay?
I wondered that earlier. I have a mental image of, you know the scene in Superman III where Evil Superman straightens the Leaning Tower of Piza, the tourist tat-seller bloke has all his models remade and then Good Superman tilts it back over again? That, only with William on the throne and a bloke in the Royal Mint looking at a huge pile of King Charles pound coins.
there is a dark force, you know who, that will challenge them
The Daily Mail?
Absolutely. I mean Paris is devoid of tourists after what the French did to their Royal family.
Whenever folk talk about the benefit to tourism of the Monarchy I always reply with "you'll be gobsmacked when you learn about Versailles".
If you're waiting on parcels I've just read some good news that out of respect for the queen those lazy posties have decided to go into work today.
The dark force will come from within the family.
What are you on about?
Now I’m officially pissed off. A social bike ride that was planned for tomorrow has been called off as a mark of respect.
I mean, whit??
I guess they didn't want to hurt your feelings.
The Daily Mail?
Don't know. Typically people that objects to this news outlet then to be the ones that know more or read more into this than those people who actually read this news.
What are you on about?
Let it be. If you don't get it then don't. Just my views.
'And we go live now to the gates of another another Royal residence where a journalist will pontificate for 7.5 minutes about the Queen and stuff. John I wonder if you fondly remember, like I do when the Queen came through those gates in 1981 just after the war in Argentina and you've got a funny story about that haven't you....'
No need to understand. If you don’t get it you won’t. Not important. Just my opinion.
Dark force is just negative energy that can come from everywhere but the strongest is usually within.
Whaaa...?
Finished the hoovering made the coffee sat down to listen to Pop master replaced by gloomy music . I suppose the new series of Gone Fishing and anything that raises a smile will be taken off for the next 12 days 🤔
With the ghost of Thatcher roaming the corridors of Westminster now isn't there more than enough gloom and doom around?
Perspective she made it to 96 , that's another 30 years away for me almost half my current lifetime . Celebrate her by all means she's had a long and wonderful life but she's no different really just born into a family with more than their fair share of ne'r do wells .
Wondered how long it would take. Some absolute mentalists in here.
The dark force will come from within the family.
What are you on about?
The Corgis innit! Vicious bastards those small dog breeds.
Whaaa…?
Let it be. Move on. Not for you. Just my views.
The Corgis innit! Vicious bastards those small dog breeds.
Possible if you want to describe them that way.
Let it be
Paul McCartney? Never trusted him
Chewk's clearly talking about a poltergeist. And if anyone watched the film, you'd know that it came from within or through the little girl. So one of the royal children perhaps will be the source of the dark force?!
OMG thanks for bringing this up, I'd honestly not even considered it.
Paul McCartney? Never trusted him
Who?
OMG thanks for bringing this up, I’d honestly not even considered it.
You watch too many movies.
Hoping I’m still alive when her memoirs are published (do they do that??) about what she really thought about her meeting with Donald Trump
Lolz at Cougars Superman / Pisa / Royal Mint observation
relapsed_mandalorian
Full Member
Wondered how long it would take. Some absolute mentalists in here
The usual rogue's gallery of misanthropes
The Royal family is just that, a family. Who doesn’t have the odd ball in theirs?
obvious retort is obvious.
Just read up on the announcement of the ‘period of Royal Mourning’. Holy shit I hope they all have their calendars at the ready #complicated
I had a lot of respect for the Queen but like others here I’m a Republican at heart. In my ideal world we would call it quits now but that’s not going to happen because lots of people, chiefly older than me believe differently, and its going to give Liz Truss two opportunities to dress up as a ‘Stateswoman'.
A system of deference based on one of your ancestors putting out for Charles II (I’m not sure the current royal family are descended from Charles II but it applies to a significant chunk of the aristocracy) doesn’t seem like a particularly good plan for the future to me, particularly when it determines who does or doesn’t pay tax or have to stick to the rules.
I’m not sure how Charles stepping aside will improve matters, there are enough rumours of overprivileged squabbling and back biting in all the ‘adult’ generations to tarnish the next generation as well. To his credit Charles does seem to have a sense of morality and a firm set of beliefs which are not entirely based on self interest, even if you don’t agree with all of them.
As an employee of a small business ten days official mourning is going to be interesting unless that mourning extends to the banks suspending interest charges on the overdraft for that period, because a significant chunk of our clients are going to play the ‘too distressed’ or ‘have other important things to worry about’ card paying invoices over this period.
Sorry I’m already shouting at the relentlessly deferential tone of the radio and tv and we’re only a day in, so needed to vent
I once provided medical cover for the Queen though.
See, she truly was the 'people's queen', she even used the NHS.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks Drac
R6 is trying to play the game, but I am not sure Amy Winehouse is in the true spirit of miserablism.
Hasn't she got a few military marches on B sides? I'm just resigned to living in North Korea for the next 10 days
Well I for one will miss the Queen I think she was amazing. Anyway one of my friends posted this:
When Saudi didn’t allow women to drive she personally drove the Saudi crown prince at speed round the Balmoral estate and when Trump expressed an opinion about meeting the younger royals she sent Charles, Trumps least favourite royal to greet trump.
and another just posted:
Message sending in both deed and clothing has been done since at least the first Elizabethan era; in the 1600 “Rainbow” portrait (in think its in Hatfield House if you ever go) you can see her mantle is embroidered with ears and eyes. She was known as the all seeing and all hearing virgin Queen.
I think Elizabeth II followed that idea from before she became Queen. Even down to making sure her wedding dress was made following the ration coupons rules. The fabric for the dress came out of her fabric rations which she saved for years.
Her choice to do service as a driver which encouraged other young women to become drivers and mechanics; it was an active choice to be seen in uniform.
The royal children serving in the military… a message to those who serve protect this country and their parents… we don’t ask of you what’s we aren’t prepared to do ourselves… (unlike our politicians)
She might not have been allowed to publicly comment on politics but she could
sure as heck send an unsubtle message.
Other stuff in trumps visit you might not have known was her choice of broaches. Over three days she chose a simple flower for day one when she would normally wear something in some way related to the visitors nation. On day two she wore one that was a gifting from Canada, which would have driven Trump mad if he was clever enough to realise and on day 3 she wore a broach that had only been worn in mourning periods before.
I think much of this stems from
Her genuinely caring about the UK and to be honest her choice to die in Scotland… and I believe that was a choice, was her final message. Quite which way you see said that message I don’t know but if Westminster has any sense then they will think about it… and it seems she will lay in state in Scotland and thats one hell of a snub to Westminster.
All the best
JeZ
Not a reflection on the lady... but I don't need a marketing email from M&S or anyone else about her passing.
[ unsubscribe ]
For all those that are grumbling about how this is just wall to wall tv and radio coverage, you do realise that you don’t have to watch any of it right?
It’ll be ten days ffs, can’t you afford Netflix or Spotify to tide you over until all is back to normal? Cobra Kai season 5 has just dropped…surely that’s some consolation during these dark times
Quote from a mate from work on our Dept WhatsApp group last night -
"Huge Loss. More moral backbone and dignity than all of the conniving sh*ts currently running the country"
Totally agree with this.
I'm not a massive Royalist, I feel uncomfortable with their level of privilege and Andy buying himself out of trouble just proves the point.
However, as Head of State - i think in some ways i'd prefer an "independent" Monarch to a President.. i mean i know there are some good ones out there (Macron, etc) however there is/was also Trump, Bolsonaro, Putin, etc.
Would we really have wanted 'President Johnson'?
See, she truly was the ‘people’s queen’, she even used the NHS.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks Drac
Subtle. 😂
Other stuff in trumps visit you might not have known was her choice of broaches.
I wondered what drove him to formenting insurection. It was the broaches pushed him over the edge.
Intetesting about who is chucking the insults around. Ok i used forelock tugging but then despite no negative comments about the queen anyone who is not following the " mourninga great loss " line are being called allsorts of pejorative names.
To his credit Charles does seem to have a sense of morality and a firm set of beliefs which are not entirely based on self interest, even if you don’t agree with all of them.
Really? 😂😂😱
I agree with Tj re the Queen.
Whilst this is perhaps not the time or place, to voice negative opinions about the Queen and the rest of the monarchy, it is difficult to let some of the assertions slide.
For all those that are grumbling about how this is just wall to wall tv and radio coverage, you do realise that you don’t have to watch any of it right?
Well I can't even listen to a general news broadcast. There is more going on in the World than the death of a 96 year old woman but I have to listen to 55 minutes of anecdotes for 5 minutes of news.
Is everything going to stop for the next 2 weeks? Apparently the funeral is in 10 days time and there will be another 7 days of official mourning after that! Does that mean no happy music, no football etc until then?
Why do we need a head of state? Even if we do it does not have to be an elected politician
Our current PM is not elected. Not by the public anyway. Would you have preferred Boris's noggin' on the currency. the way we go through prime ministers we couldn't have any leaders on our currency.
At least a head of state through blood/tradition gives the UK some sort of stability and separation from the asylum that is global politics.
Does that mean... no football etc until then?
We can only hope.
Other stuff in trumps visit you might not have known was her choice of broaches. Over three days she chose a simple flower for day one when she would normally wear something in some way related to the visitors nation. On day two she wore one that was a gifting from Canada, which would have driven Trump mad if he was clever enough to realise and on day 3 she wore a broach that had only been worn in mourning periods before.
Top marks. One of the maddest things I've read so far.
Is everything going to stop for the next 2 weeks? Apparently the funeral is in 10 days time and there will be another 7 days of official mourning after that! Does that mean no happy music, no football etc until then?
Well yeah I agree that cancelling everything for 2 weeks is ridiculous. But will that happen? I assume no footy at weekend but after that?
That said, Cant believe they binned the last 3 days of the tour of Britain when surely a minutes silence at the start today would suffice.
I have a mental image of, you know the scene in Superman III where Evil Superman straightens the Leaning Tower of Piza, the tourist tat-seller bloke has all his models remade and then Good Superman tilts it back over again? That, only with William on the throne and a bloke in the Royal Mint looking at a huge pile of King Charles pound coins.
They'll be worth a fortune on the collector's markets. I'm still holding on to a few bags of the 20p's that have no date on them!
Cant believe they binned the last 3 days of the tour of Britain when surely a minutes silence at the start today would suffice.
I think the problem there is the massive redeployment of police which is going to be happening.
Going to need a shedload in London to secure it with all the dignitaries coming in let alone just handling the crowds.
More moral backbone and dignity than all of the conniving sh*ts currently running the country
That's not really comparing like with like though. She never had to do anything other than smile, be nice and read from scripts. People who have to run the country have to make hard choices whilst trying to get as many people as they can to like them which is actually pretty difficult and upsetting people is inevitable. Not to mention the system that requires them to be ruthless to get to that position in the first place.
You might as well praise her for never getting a yellow card in a football match.
Apparently the funeral is in 10 days time and there will be another 7 days of official mourning after that!
Not exactly, 7 days of Royal mourning. It's different - royals will undertake reduced / appropriate duties in this time but would wear sombre clothing and mourning bands, for example. Troops on ceremonial duties have different procedures. I don't think for a moment anyone expects the nation to stop everything.
FWIW, if that's right and HRH C3 has indicated 7 days - 'normal' would be a month, and the Queen reduced that to 2 weeks for Phil. So that would indicate an understanding of needing to move on.
As I recall, the people who run the country were attending party's and sha~~ing their PA's, whilst the monarchy were quietly going about mourning the loss of Phillip.
i think in some ways i’d prefer an “independent” Monarch to a President.. i mean i know there are some good ones out there (Macron, etc) however there is/was also Trump, Bolsonaro, Putin, etc.
To be pedantic, comparators would be the likes of Michael D Higgins, the pres of Ireland, an elected head of state in a system similar to our's (where the head of state holds little political power). Views on monarchy need to be accompanied by views on the role of the head of state and more generally the system of government within which they operate.
It's Ireland I'd look to for a new model.
A head of state more in the role of that currently being performed by Higgins rather than Macron.
Both have been paying good tributes by the way... eg...
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/macron-queen-death-tribute-france-b2163588.html
The us does not have a head of state separate from the political leader. I dont think canada does either
So i ask again why do we need a head of state at all?
Im glad we have plenty of programmes and Apple Music to tide us over. Like others have said I dont get it. She was an old lady that very few, if any of us on here, ever knew.
With the TV and radio going full Daily Mail with dull music an hours of dreary talking heads saying how wonderful she was whilst glossing over here friendship with the Bin Laden family for instance is getting old already
One upside if parliament is getting 10 days off to mourn I suppose that means its harder for Liz to do anything really silly
To be pedantic, comparators would be the likes of Michael D Higgins
Yup. The last three Presidents, Michael D, Mary McAleese and Mary Robinson have all been excellent presidents. Where they can stick their craw in is pretty tightly controlled (constitutions eh?) but they’ve all done really good jobs (IMO). And who can’t raise a smile when Michael D does the handshake with the rugby teams at the Aviva. 😂
So i ask again why do we need a head of state at all?
We don't.
However, we do have one, fact. Might as well accept it, not going to change any time soon. It's part of the national identity. You may as well be railing against the fact we're an island and also therefore have a seafaring heritage.
"We're" not an island. Sorry. I'll get my coat.
The us does not have a head of state separate from the political leader.
Yes and this is a problem, IMO. Because when the President does the representation thing it is politically tainted. When Trump made a speech after national disasters or shootings etc it was always appallingly badly done and politically loaded. You need someone to speak to and for the nation at times like that, not just half of it whilst infuriating the other half. Politicians can't really do that function well.
Again, I'm not saying it has to be a monarch, just someone who's not a politician.