The Platinum Jubilee. Any thoughts?

[UlstermanAbroad]

I was eleven for the Queen's Silver Jubilee. I don't recall much about that celebration, as my eleventh year was quite eventful in it's own right. I have just remembered getting a special jubilee Scout badge, which I thought looked quite impressive, as it had a lot of silver coloured stitching.
The Golden and Diamond Jubilee's were also eventful times and times of transition, so I don't much recall them. Not even being in the country.
The Platinum Jubilee passed pretty quietly and it's given me time to think about The Queen's reign. This monarch is the only one I've known. She has been a constant in my life and a source of reassurance that no matter what happens to the country. She'll be there to lead us through it. When I joined the Army, I took an oath to serve my Sovereign and her heirs and successors.
I took that oath seriously and still do. I would be proud to serve The Queen in any capacity. Though I'm not so sure about her heirs or successors. I recall thinking that, even as I spoke the words.
I watched The Queen turn away from the crowds in front of Buckingham Palace this evening and I thought she looked very frail. Not much longer for this earth. The prospect fills me with sadness. She has served this country as much as anyone else I can think of. I would put her on a par with Churchill. I heard it said that her papers won't be released until fifty or seventy-five years after her death and that saddens me too. Obviously, I won't live to see, what I'd speculate will be, amongst the most fascinating journals, letters and other records of our time.
Whether a monarchist or republican, I think that you would have to admit that no other head of state has served their country so well, for so long. And amongst the seven and a half billion people on earth. We have been amongst the luckiest. We have lived our lives in a liberal democracy, not prone to earthquakes or tornadoes and we have not been forced to defend ourselves for three generations. And our head of state has led the country by an example unequalled in our lifetimes.
By any measure, The Queen is an exceptional human being. And we have been the luckiest people alive, to have been her subjects. I am not an ardent monarchist, nor an unrepentant republican. I sit somewhere in between.
I suspect though. When she passes. I shall mourn her passing, as much as I would, one of my own family.

 

[Nibby]

I tend to agree UA, she’s been great for the country, the last few days have seen joyous headlines on the BBC website unlike their normal whinging. It’ll be sad when she goes but not to the extent like one of my own family, her and her late husband have had long lives thanks to the best healthcare unlike my own mother and father. The country will mourn but hopefully not like the ott false tears we had when Diana died.

 

[mowlas]

I do agree that I can’t think of a head of state who has served their country for as long and so well as the Queen.

Although her eventual passing will be a tremendous loss, I could never mourn the loss of a human soul I have never met more than a family/friend. I have never understood those sorts of tears.

But what will make her passing especially poignant for me is the sense of loss and erosion of the values of loyalty and duty to country in our ruling institutions. The sharp contrast of adherence of these values by the Queen verses those in our government could not have been starker than at this Jubilee weekend. This included the Royal family (or perhaps the Queen herself) trolling Boris Johnson with their reading choice of a passage about honesty at St Pauls.

 

[2b1ask1]

I didn’t do any military or civil service but I am on balance a royalist and a similar age to you UA. My late father wouldn’t have celebrated the monarchy, so it is my opinion formed in my lifetime. Having never known any other monarch, I will find her passing hard , when it inevitably happens.

i cannot see Charles being much of a king if indeed he ever is, William on the other hand is completely modelled for the role. That role will be rather different I’m sure.

 

[Phil H]

Just brilliant:

This is about the Queen's video with Paddington Bear

PADDINGTON BEAR’S profile hit an all-time high, when he featured in a video with the Queen. The cheeky character had tea with Her Majesty – and they even shared secrets about marmalade …

www.thesun.co.uk

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

Thanks for all of your thoughts guys.
If I may, I'll correct myself to say that I'll miss The Queen, as much as I'll miss most members of my family.
And you're right and I was thinking the same. That the contrast between our monarch and our political leadership
could not be more stark. I would've thought that a weekly audience with The Queen would've made Boris just a bit more self aware, but it doesn't seem to have happened. I've said before, that I feel that we've had a particularly bad run of leadership and leadership wannabees of late. I know opinion is very divided, but I honestly believe that Margaret Thatcher was the last leader who stood up for Britain against all others. Economically, she did what had to be done. Socially however, the price we paid for economic transformation was too great.
There are some excellent Conservative backbenchers who might make excellent Cabinet Ministers and possibly there's a Prime Minister amongst them. God help us if Gove, Patel or Sunak take the reins. It'll be a case of. Would the last person to leave, please turn out the lights.
I know its a bit of a silly notion. But I believe that the person who suggested the Paddington sketch, deserves an honour. I think too, that pushed by circumstance. The Queen has been forced to adopt a European model of monarchy. With only a few 'working' HRH royals, supported by the Civil List.

 

[daverichardson]

As a nation we do these events particularly well
Not really my cup of tea but I will not knock others for their valid views just because it does not 'fire' me
Like many on here she has been the only monarch I have known and she has done a good job too so I will lament quietly and avoid tv for a month or so.
Then followed by a coronation, wow the Beeb will be fully occupied
Who will go first Nic Witchell or HRH?

 

[2b1ask1]

Thanks for all of your thoughts guys.
If I may, I'll correct myself to say that I'll miss The Queen, as much as I'll miss most members of my family.
And you're right and I was thinking the same. That the contrast between our monarch and our political leadership
could not be more stark. I would've thought that a weekly audience with The Queen would've made Boris just a bit more self aware, but it doesn't seem to have happened. I've said before, that I feel that we've had a particularly bad run of leadership and leadership wannabees of late. I know opinion is very divided, but I honestly believe that Margaret Thatcher was the last leader who stood up for Britain against all others. Economically, she did what had to be done. Socially however, the price we paid for economic transformation was too great.
There are some excellent Conservative backbenchers who might make excellent Cabinet Ministers and possibly there's a Prime Minister amongst them. God help us if Gove, Patel or Sunak take the reins. It'll be a case of. Would the last person to leave, please turn out the lights.
I know its a bit of a silly notion. But I believe that the person who suggested the Paddington sketch, deserves an honour. I think too, that pushed by circumstance. The Queen has been forced to adopt a European model of monarchy. With only a few 'working' HRH royals, supported by the Civil List.

I don't think you are wrong with the last point, I would go somewhat further to the direct (in-line) family only on the civil list. This is a fallout of such a long reign that the family has extended so! It is fair to say Anne has done her fair share of duty along with Charles over the years but Andrew and Edward hardly feature. As a business the extended family are hardly struggling to meet the gas bills like the majority of the nation.

 

[CatmanV2]

As a nation we do these events particularly well

We really do

C

 

[UlstermanAbroad]

This is a bit of fun guys. It may be poor judgement on my part. I don't know. Add your signatures
so it gets published, if you feel like a bit of a giggle.

I’ve made a petition – will you sign it? Click this link to sign the petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/617920/sponsors/new?token=qqGJSJc3qzleDviO6w6w My petition: Paddington Bear deserves to be recognised, for services to Queen and country. I believe that in consultation with the Her Majesty, Paddington ought to be recognised with an honorary award, or position within the Royal Household. Paddington Bear's sketch with The Queen was inspirational. Just as The Queen has been a positive constant in our lives. To a lesser extent, so has Paddington Bear. Just as The Queen has set a perfect example of service and fidelity to the country. So, Paddington has exhibited the kinds of traits, we would wish our youngest generation to emulate. Honesty, politeness and respect for others. Paddington is a perfect example of a refugee, from Peru, whose life has reflected the best of us.