I'd be much more sympathetic to the whole idea if the message from the queen was: "Thank you to the citizens of the country for being such wonderful subjects over the last 70 years, the platinum jubilee is a celebration of all of you and the wonderful communities we have here."
I rather think that the idea of being a "subject" grates on many people - young or old. I find it difficult to accept that many people presented to the Royals still choose to curtsy or bow in their presence without expecting a similar abeyance in return. The Queen is an exemplary Head of State and knows the business. Behind the scenes, she has perhaps had more influence on those she has seen in government over her 70 years than we realise. Who's to know ? However, she has also been well paid, both in monetary terms and in terms of access to a life and services many can only dream of. Both she and her family have benefited hugely from their position. They are also able to secrete themselves for rest and recreation at their various castles and estates - again not an option for everyone. The younger generation of Royals have seemingly been very badly advised re their overseas "visits" recently - maybe not their fault but doesn't bode well for the future. Not sure which post mentioned the Dutch Royal family but their less intrusive behaviour may well be something for Charles and his heirs to consider. I suspect the current Govt are thanking their lucky stars that the Queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne - the war in Ukraine, Cost of living crisis and now the Jubilee - can't get much better than that in respect of their ongoing problems
Missus S and me were born in the Empire on which the sun never set ( the folk that told us that conveniently left out most of it being sea and the USSR having eleven time zones) we both circled the Union Flag at our respective schools and sang the National Anthem (though only the first verse). My mum actually felt sorry for the way the Duke of Windsor was treated despite him swanning off with Mrs Simpson, being a flagrant Nazi and cuddling up to Herr Hitler. She probably had the hots for daring pilot Peter Townsend and thought Princess Margaret should have married him blow everyone else!
Obviously, things changed beyond all recognition in the seventy years I've lived through - we now have to feel guilty about having an empire despite having giving most of away to people who murdered and plundered the minute we left.
Quite frankly, I'm disgusted by the results of the poll above (not surprised but still disgusted) we live in a Constitutional Monarchy and long may it continue - anyone who objects should never be allowed to buy a Lotto ticket ( that's if you think the Queen is lucky to find herself in the job!)
I shudder to think of a "democratically" elected Head of State - isn't bonkers Boris enough? How about Trump? I seem to remember that Hitler was voted in by genuine landslides.
Your grandfather's attitudes are very like my grandmother's, @pansyface. She didn't live as eventful a life - women born in the 19th Century generally didn't. I did meet her but I didn't know her, she died when I was 8. According to all of her children, she never thought herself either superior or inferior to anyone, would treat everyone she met the same and would not be told what to do or think (apparently she was the local vicar's nemesis).
Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”
I don't understand that quote but am sure it's anatomically impossible.
Precisely. A chastisement of those who, putting it much more mundanely, get too big for their boots. The mother of a friend of mine had a similar put down. “Hmm,” she would sniff, “he thinks he can shit cucumbers.”
Posts
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
The Queen is an exemplary Head of State and knows the business. Behind the scenes, she has perhaps had more influence on those she has seen in government over her 70 years than we realise. Who's to know ?
However, she has also been well paid, both in monetary terms and in terms of access to a life and services many can only dream of. Both she and her family have benefited hugely from their position. They are also able to secrete themselves for rest and recreation at their various castles and estates - again not an option for everyone.
The younger generation of Royals have seemingly been very badly advised re their overseas "visits" recently - maybe not their fault but doesn't bode well for the future.
Not sure which post mentioned the Dutch Royal family but their less intrusive behaviour may well be something for Charles and his heirs to consider.
I suspect the current Govt are thanking their lucky stars that the Queen is celebrating 70 years on the throne - the war in Ukraine, Cost of living crisis and now the Jubilee - can't get much better than that in respect of their ongoing problems
Obviously, things changed beyond all recognition in the seventy years I've lived through - we now have to feel guilty about having an empire despite having giving most of away to people who murdered and plundered the minute we left.
Quite frankly, I'm disgusted by the results of the poll above (not surprised but still disgusted) we live in a Constitutional Monarchy and long may it continue - anyone who objects should never be allowed to buy a Lotto ticket ( that's if you think the Queen is lucky to find herself in the job!)
I shudder to think of a "democratically" elected Head of State - isn't bonkers Boris enough? How about Trump? I seem to remember that Hitler was voted in by genuine landslides.
“It's still magic even if you know how it's done.”