Long live the King !

Grandpa Frank

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The Queen of England has passed away.
 
I had just read this morning that her doctor's were concerned for her health.
Yes, me too. I thought that was odd that they'd make an announcement like that considering she's been in poor health for a while.
Probably the writing was on the wall and they were trying to soften the blow of the coming news.
 
When the news came out that she was seriously ill, my 15-year-old son commented that it was hardly surprising after having had to meet Liz Truss (our new opportunist and lightweight PM)!

Anyway, the Queen died as she deserved to, peacefully and surrounded by her family, after decades of distinguished service. RIP.
 
He doesn't stand a chance when compared to her but in comparison to Prince Andrew, he looks good and honorable.
Isn't it just "Andrew" now? I thought he was stripped of his titles. Maybe he's just the Duke of Perspiration.

I think it's about time they dissolved the monarchy and used their exorbitant wealth to provide some recompense to former colonies that suffered under the heel of the British empire.

You aren't going to top Queen Elizabeth, may as well call it quits and stop raising figureheads in obscene opulence.
 
Isn't it just "Andrew" now? I thought he was stripped of his titles. Maybe he's just the Duke of Perspiration.

I think it's about time they dissolved the monarchy and used their exorbitant wealth to provide some recompense to former colonies that suffered under the heel of the British empire.

You aren't going to top Queen Elizabeth, may as well call it quits and stop raising figureheads in obscene opulence.
The majority of people in Britain want a monarchy, which is a compelling reason to keep it. It does badly need reforming and simplifying though, with fewer hangers on. It's generally thought that this will happen under Charles, though time will tell.

Edit: I've got mixed views on figureheads. Whereas I don't like the culture of deference they create, which I think partly explains why British and Japanese people have often been way too tolerant of some quite repugnant 'blueblood' politicians, both the Queen and (even more so) Akihito did a lot of good for their countries as figureheads.
 
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I predict the world press will have fun with Camilla in the future.
 
Emperor Naruhito will attend the state funeral for Queen Elizabeth II pending Cabinet approval.

crown-prince-naruhito-queen-elizabeth-prince-philip.jpeg

Queen Elizabeth, Crown Prince Naruhito, and Prince Philip in Windsor Castle in 2001.

While it is unusual for the emperor to attend the funeral of a member of a foreign royal family, sources cited the traditional close ties between the imperial family and the British royal family as the reason behind the decision for him to attend. Naruhito was invited to visit Britain in 2020 after he ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, but those plans were scuttled by the outbreak of the global novel coronavirus pandemic. It would have been his first overseas trip after becoming emperor following the abdication of his father, now known as Emperor Emeritus Akihito.

 
Did anyone see the queen's funeral? I watched almost all of it on CNN (not following all the time, though). However, even for a non-royalist, it was a pretty impressive orchestration. The most-used word on CNN was "pageantry". They did not show the Japanese emperor, and I believe Masako was absent (though she'd come to London, too).


 
I watched some of it, and it was a very strange feeling watching all the pomp. I've not got strong feelings either way about the Royal Family, but I started shaking my head in disbelief at such an elaborate event for a single person. Watching the elaborate rituals and, to be frank, silly uniforms did not give me any feeling of warm Britishness as you might expect - it seemed like watching something from a different country from the one I am from.

For me, the most moving part was the drive from London to Windsor, which was largely free of ceremony, with the huge crowds showing their love and respect for their former Queen.
 
For me, the most moving part was the drive from London to Windsor, which was largely free of ceremony, with the huge crowds showing their love and respect for their former Queen.

That's what they mentioned on CNN, too: the "working class people" on the way to Windsor gave the former queen the warmest farewell.
 
I didn't see any of it. I should have brought it up on the telly for the historical significance for my kids to remember. But we watched Big Brother instead.
 
Wonder if the Epstein Island videos will ever see the light of day? Still waiting for the detailed client lists to be leaked.
 
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