Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II on the 6th February 1952.....
60 years of service to her people - currently Britain's second longest reign, second only to Queen Victoria. Congratulations Your Maj - here's to many more years...
Sue Nicholas- Location: river
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 6,025
I recall the day .I was at secondary school and we were all called to assembly .The news was announced and then we sang the national anthem .
Guest 700- Registered: 11 Jun 2010
- Posts: 2,868
During the morning one of the masters came into the classroom, whispered to our elderly English teacher who turned very white and dismissed the class.
On the way home, sat on top deck of bus it stopped near Grimsby town station and we all noticed the (newspaper) placards - "The King is dead, Long Live the Queen".
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Lincolnshire Born and Bred
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
She has served the Country, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth very well indeed and well worth the money.
A great Queen - a great asset.
Roger
DT1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 15 Apr 2008
- Posts: 1,116
Yes she has done a good job. Even as a republican I think she always seems really nice. (I mean that!)
I couldn't help but pick up on the use of the ellipsis in the title of the thread. A big fan myself (of such punctuation) it can represent 'continuation of the same'. That being said I seem to remember it also being used to 'continue' Pi, which of course is irrational.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
not a monarchist myself i see the royal family as rather ludicrous.
having said that if we need a ceremonial head of state then her majesty has been perfect in the role.
always understated she makes some of the other heads of state that visit look rather vulgar.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
"And I do declare that no foreign prince, person, prelate, state or potentate hath or ought to have any jurisdiction, power, superiority, pre-eminence or authority, ecclesiastical or spiritual, within this realm."
Mrs. Windsor gave royal assent to the Lisbon Treaty. The oath of coronation was betrayed!
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
a tad unfair alex, the queen signs what she is told to sign by the elected government.
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Something like a stamping-machine, that sometimes is in the hands of Labour, sometimes the Tories. A modernised version would be a computerised fax machine.
The Speaker places the bill inside, presses a button and out comes a signed piece of paper.
Cheaper to operate, doesn't have a larger family to maintain, doesn't need palaces and estates.
Result: identical, but so much less expensive!
Jan Higgins
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 5 Jul 2010
- Posts: 13,904
A fax machine could not greet the heads of foreign countries with a warm smile and a handshake.
Nor could it partake in any of the state ceremonies that attracts so many tourists that spend a lot of money that boosts our ailing economy.
Result should the fax machine prevail some obnoxious politician would do the above instead at the same cost to the tax payer.
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I try to be neutral and polite but it is hard and getting even more difficult at times.
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Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Well said Jan....
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
A sad view of the Queen and Monarchy Alexander.
Good post Jan.
Roger
Guest 698- Registered: 28 May 2010
- Posts: 8,664
Yes Alex. A complete misunderstanding of the institution and of the distinction between the monarch and the monarchy.
Can you see our soldiers, sailors and airmen swearing a solemn oath of allegiance to Ed Miliband?
I'm an optimist. But I'm an optimist who takes my raincoat - Harold Wilson
Guest 696- Registered: 31 Mar 2010
- Posts: 8,115
Peter, an oath of Allegiance should be made to the Country and the People, not to a private family. I gave my allegiance to the Fair Lady In High, which exonerates me from partaking in Liz's street parties.
Blimey, I never thought I would end up defending the monarchy - definite Republican me! But, the difference between Monarchy and Monarch is important and before we sweep away (please...!) Royalty we need to be cautious about what we out in its place. The removal of monarchs has historically often left a vacuum filled by dictators.
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
re #13 or David Cameron?
Audere est facere.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
i doubt a 17 year old squaddie would be too bothered who he/she swore an oath to.
Guest 715- Registered: 9 Jun 2011
- Posts: 2,438
But definitely not to a Labour person, perish the thought
Audere est facere.
Guest 655- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,247
Howard - I disagree there. The motivations that lead many (not all...) to join the forces results in a higher proportion of them valuing our traditions and history, an oath to HMQ would be much more meaningful to the average 17 year old squaddie that to the average 17 year old in the populace.
Any institution has to have a "buy in" and Queen and Country has always been the one for the Armed Forces. One of my daughters partner is in the Forces and he may not admit it but I am guessing that swearing the oath matters to him. It has that roll-out quality - if you swear allegiance to something that represents your roots and your home it means more to you, you are fighting for your family and your Home.
