Yeah, seems like London Bridge is falling. We'll have King Charles soon. Generally, I think you have to make a distinction between the person and the institution here. As a person, there's a lot to admire in her.
Well said. I am not an anti-royalist, but will freely admit that others have reasons for being anti-royalist that I might share given the same situation. Now that that's out of the way, I heard one journalist say this morning that she had the makeup of a great politician or great diplomat and served in a role that required skills from both areas without ever putting them on display. Another pointed out that a Prime Minister could be absolutely candid with her during their regular meetings, knowing that whatever they said would be kept in absolute confidence. I imagine there were some very interesting and lively discussions, especially since she didn't necessarily like all of the PM's she dealt with (her relationship with Thatcher was apparently rather tense). But still, it must have been a relief for all the PM's to know there was a time and a place where they could look forward to conversations and advice (if they wanted it) that would never leave the room. I expect Charles is cut from the same cloth, but only time will tell us that.
The Queen is pining for the fjords? Pushing up daisies? Bereft of life? Gone to make her maker? She's now an ex-queen? The mayor of Portland must have been gassed
Well, this screws up my dead pool. Now I need one of the little bastards from Sesame Street to make up for it. (too soon?)
Remember the Queen's speech in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic? Most politicians were either shitting their pants, sticking their heads in the sand, or playing chicken little. Her Majesty sent a simple message of hope.
She was almost the same age as my late mother. It was interesting that the camera loved both of them. While my Mum lived her last few years in the cruel grip of dementia, she and the Queen both had an amazing glow in their pictures. I just wish my mother could have gone out like the Queen with her facilities intact and the ability to enjoy her life up to the last (I'm assuming she did). I'm sure Queen Elizabeth lost something off her fastball in later years as we all do, but there's no doubt that she was able to do her job superbly and carry out the business of being a Queen in a way we should all hope we can emulate. As for her sons, well, I think Charles is the best of them. Being able to build a productive life when you grow up with that kind of wealth and privilege is damn difficult and I'm not sure I would have turned out any better. I am damned sure that's not a life I would ever want.
The Cayman Islands is one of just a handful of "Overseas Territories" or, if you prefer, "Crown Colonies" left in what was the British Empire. In his official statement announcing her passing, His Excellency the Governor, Mr. Martyn Roper said that flags would be flown at "half-mast" and that there would be a "96 gun salute at Government House." That's a lot of gunpowder...
Maybe it's time to revolt against the new guy? Finally free yourselves from the shackles of tyranny and taxation without representation. Look to your cousins to the south for inspiration.
I remember I was quite moved by that simple speech. In the context of having lived through WWII and countless other crises — she projected strength and stoic resolve that was comforting. I disagree with the monarchy in principle, but this woman was absolutely a pillar of strong leadership and stability in the world. Her passing adds to the sense that we’re all fucked. Sad day.
Apparently, Prince Philip is stuck in a fridge somewhere because they can’t bury him before they bury the Queen.
I might go and watch the Spitting Image (classic series, none of yer new-fangled shite) sketch where Liz (as they're settling into bed for the night) realizes she's forgotten to troop the colour and bribes Phillip into doing it by promising "kebabs for breakfast".