rob aylestone
Moderator
So far, even the people not that keen on the monarchy are saying the same thing. She was a steady force for 70 years. Something always there, something always reliable and solid. I was quite prepared today when the Palace announced she was ill - they never usually comment on these kinds of issues, so I think we all knew and were waiting. The main TV channels are showing appropriate stuff, the minor channels just carry on showing Judge Judy and other stuff - some quite inappropriate. The Queen has an estate - Sandringham, in my part of the country, and the locals bumped into her all the time and knew how to deal with it. There is a lovely tale about the Queen wandering around the estate - which has public footpaths that go through it - with just one Policeman for company. She had Wellington boots, a tartan skirt and a green wax jacket with a scarf over her head - he wore similar farming style clothes. They came across a group of American tourists, and as they passed she say "Good Morning" and they responded. One of the Americans asked her if she was from around here, she said yes. He asked if she had seen the Queen. With a straight face, she said "No", and pointing at the Policeman said, "But he has!" They never knew they'd met the Queen.
In WW2, she drove ambulances, in uniform, and this job did entail learning how to do the mechanics of the time - changing oil, swapping tyres, fueling and getting dirty. At the end of the War, when peace was declared, she and her sister Margaret sneaked out of the Palace and joined the thousands of people celebrating in London.
She clearly had a wicked sense of humour - she did the James Bond video, the jumping out of an aeroplane video and then the Paddington Bear video - a dignified lady who knew how to judge the people. She only got it wrong once, underestimating the impact of Princess Diana's death - which she fixed in a dignified way.
I'm genuinely sad - His Majesty, different heads on coins and swapping ER for CR (presumably) on so many things will be weird. Stamps, money - so many things have her likeness on them. We have a few old post boxes (mail boxes) that still say GR - George Regina, but the rest say ER. It will be weird to start to see new ones with CR. I think Charles will be OK, but even though publicly he will no longer be able to go on about saving the planet, in private he will be a thorn in any Government's side. William I think will be a wonderful King. As for Harry and Sparkle, they can stay in the US for as long as they like. He is OK but brainwashed by the woman's loose mouth. She needs to learn that she needs to shut up.
In WW2, she drove ambulances, in uniform, and this job did entail learning how to do the mechanics of the time - changing oil, swapping tyres, fueling and getting dirty. At the end of the War, when peace was declared, she and her sister Margaret sneaked out of the Palace and joined the thousands of people celebrating in London.
She clearly had a wicked sense of humour - she did the James Bond video, the jumping out of an aeroplane video and then the Paddington Bear video - a dignified lady who knew how to judge the people. She only got it wrong once, underestimating the impact of Princess Diana's death - which she fixed in a dignified way.
I'm genuinely sad - His Majesty, different heads on coins and swapping ER for CR (presumably) on so many things will be weird. Stamps, money - so many things have her likeness on them. We have a few old post boxes (mail boxes) that still say GR - George Regina, but the rest say ER. It will be weird to start to see new ones with CR. I think Charles will be OK, but even though publicly he will no longer be able to go on about saving the planet, in private he will be a thorn in any Government's side. William I think will be a wonderful King. As for Harry and Sparkle, they can stay in the US for as long as they like. He is OK but brainwashed by the woman's loose mouth. She needs to learn that she needs to shut up.