God bless Queen Elizabeth and England

[Ms Diddles]

Same here. No fan of the monarchy as an institution. But had a real soft spot for the Queen Her passing has had a deeply profound effect on me. Like losing my grandmothers all over again. I am really very sad.

Oh! I'm so sorry to hear that, Los!

Occasionally world events can have a strangely personal impact that you maybe wouldn't expect.

I always thought that people who mourned celebrities were complete weirdos, and then Bowie died, and I totally lost my sh!t!!!!!

You're in France. It's the weekend!

You get out there and toast the old lady and your late grandmothers with a nice Burgundy.

I'm sure Her Maj would approve!

[Losmandris]

Oh! I'm so sorry to hear that, Los!

Occasionally world events can have a strangely personal impact that you maybe wouldn't expect.

I always thought that people who mourned celebrities were complete weirdos, and then Bowie died, and I totally lost my sh!t!!!!!

You're in France. It's the weekend!

You get out there and toast the old lady and your late grandmothers with a nice Burgundy.

I'm sure Her Maj would approve!

That sounds like an excellent idea Ms. D I think she rather would! X

[Azarna]

It is just so hard to believe. I know she was old, but I guess many of us rather did hope she was going to live as long as her mother. Despite her age, she seemed so vibrant and full of life. And she is... was.... our Queen.

Like most people, I have never known another monarch. She has always been there, like a kindly granny who you don't get to go see but who is still a quiet part of your life.

I freely admit I am a dyed-in-the-wool monarchist. Not the "oh, Diana was SOOOO wonderful, squee" type, nor the "they are above everyone and can do no wrong" sort. I am a realistic monarchist. I believe that the monarchy is very good for this country. It brings in so much tourism money (in many different ways), provides jobs, is envied by many other countries and the traditions and continuity gives us a sense of pride, of links to the past, of, well, I am not good at describing it, but basically, good stuff.

And the Queen was the best queen a modern country could ask for. She was so respected, all around the world. She knew how to put people at ease. She had an amazing memory and an incredible grasp of both British, and world affairs. Countless people were won over when meeting her because she so clearly knew her onions.

She worked so hard to do what she felt was her god-given duty to her people. Right up until she passed away at 96 years old. Yes, she had many luxuries in her life, but goodness me, she surely earnt them many times over.

I have met a few members of the royal family, but sadly never got to speak with Her Majesty herself.

It is so hard to accept that now I never can.

Rest in Peace, ma'am. And thank you for all you did for your people, and beyond.

(and I can't help thinking that she would have been tickled pink that we will all be singing "God save the quee-king" for ages!"

[andy1867]

Never been a royalist, but I love history and have only admired the way she carried herself, the way she has always been a contant caring figure for all my 60 odd years
R.I.P God bless

[Iconoclast]

Same here. No fan of the monarchy as an institution. But had a real soft spot for the Queen Her passing has had a deeply profound effect on me. Like losing my grandmothers all over again. I am really very sad.

Hi Tristan,

I don't think you need to be a monarchist to experience an emotional shock to the system on the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth. My elderly mum was just about aware of three kings before the Queen ascended the throne (she thinks she waved to George V's carriage as a very small child) - something which almost none of us can now say. We basically knew this one monarch for seventy years or else for our entire lives so it is inevitable that she felt like an ever-present, stabilising force during the inevitable periods of change we go through. Just like a grandparent. She was arguably the most famous person on the planet which just adds to the scale of the collective sense of loss.

I'd take Ms Diddles' advice and toast her with a nice glass of Burgundy or two tonight. I'll be raising a bottle of McEwan's Champion to her memory too.

Cheers,

Ike

[C. F. Leon]

My Condolences.

A tribute: (Apologies to Fred Murray & R.P. Weston)
I'm Charles the 3rd, I am
Charles the 3rd I am, I am
Mumsy finally left me the throne.
No more chewing on a bone.

Britain's had two Charleses before
And both of 'em were Stuarts
Not a Plantagenet or a Tudor.
I'm the third King named Charles
Charles the 3rd I am

I'm Charles the 3rd, I am
Charles the 3rd I am, I am

[Harry D]

Never been a royalist. I don't subscribe to that serf mentality of worshipping blue bloods. However, it cannot be denied that the late Queen was part of our cultural identity and was all anyone in this country has ever known.

[Wickerman]

There are no serfs anymore Harry, the Royal family are merely figureheads, with no power anymore, beyond advisory capacity.
They may appear to cost the British taxpayer quite a bit, but, it is claimed, they bring in more tourist pounds that they spend.

According to some sources, the Royal family cost each British citizen £1.24, and in total £67,000,000 (million) for 2018/19.

https://news.sky.com/story/the-royal-accounts-this-is-why-the-monarchy-cost-41-more-last-year-11748503

Whereas, what the Royal family contributes to the British economy is reported by Forbes, at £19,000,000,000 (billion).

https://www.getreading.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/how-much-money-royal-family-20757359

Britain likely can't afford not to have a Royal family.

[C. F. Leon]

Going through some online photos I found this one (BBC, according to my notes), which I thought was quite relevant to this site.



I love the handler's (?Theresa May) expression ("Oh My! WHO let her get a knife?!!!). And the two Ripperologists in the background smirking ("By Golly, I KNEW Old Stephen was right all along.") (The Queen: "I sentence this hat to DEATH!")

Too much? Sorry if I'm supposed to wait two weeks or whatever. I'm not certain about the protocol for parody.

[The Macdonald Triad]

Classy Lady, Elizabeth. My Grandmother used to drive a Mercury Grand Marquis she named Elizabeth lol. The Queen inspired women all around the world.

[Losmandris]

Hi Tristan,

I don't think you need to be a monarchist to experience an emotional shock to the system on the news of the death of Queen Elizabeth. My elderly mum was just about aware of three kings before the Queen ascended the throne (she thinks she waved to George V's carriage as a very small child) - something which almost none of us can now say. We basically knew this one monarch for seventy years or else for our entire lives so it is inevitable that she felt like an ever-present, stabilising force during the inevitable periods of change we go through. Just like a grandparent. She was arguably the most famous person on the planet which just adds to the scale of the collective sense of loss.

I'd take Ms Diddles' advice and toast her with a nice glass of Burgundy or two tonight. I'll be raising a bottle of McEwan's Champion to her memory too.

Cheers,

Ike

Lovely comment.

Thank you Ike