God Save Our Queen - Funeral will be Mon 19th September (p26)

ShootersHillGuru said:

I’m certainly no monarchist and consider myself a Republican but for some strange reason I’ve always had a sneaky liking for Charles. I think he’s got a good sense of humour, which I see as an appealing trait and I feel that had he not from childhood had all the restraints and constraints of his position as heir to the throne I think we might have seen him emerge as quite a personality. For years really there have been suggestions that he might not become king but step aside for his son but I’m glad that hasn’t happened. I do hope he emerges from the shadow of his responsibility and we see a front and centre king. He is without doubt going to be the bridge between old style monarchy and what we can eventually expect with William and Kate. He’s definitely got an important role to play. I think he’s up to it.

Fanny Fanackapan said:

Unexpectedly, I was moved to tears when the news of our Queen's passing was officially announced, accompanied by footage of her most recent public appearances, especially the welcoming of our new PM just 2 days earlier. 

This strong, resilient & ever present lady appeared so very frail outwardly, yet continued to fulfill her duties as resiliently & wholeheartedly as she had always done. On reflection, I have to wonder how poorly she was feeling underneath that unchanging countenance. 

As the evening progressed,  I found myself reaching for the tissues time & time again, without, seemingly, anything in particular precipitating said tears. 

It wasn't until past midnight, as, in bed, I read the usual dozen or so pages of my current book before turning off the light, I "allowed" myself to acknowledge that I was resurrecting the death of my old Mum almost 7 years ago at the age of 95.....and although Mum was almost 6 feet tall, she had the same silvery hair & the same demeanour as our Monarch. 

Whether it was the realisation that I hadn't mourned this very special lady properly together with memories of failing to spend enough time with her in those later years, I know not. But shallowly buried feelings of guilt were brought crashing into focus as I was forced to confront them and the flood gates opened.  And the realisation that I am barely 20 short years away  from this unenviable position should I have similar longevity. A sobering thought indeed.

Then, as if "someone up there" was reading my mind, there was a peal of thunder, the heavens opened & torrential rain bucketed down all around the house, and seemingly brought me back to reality and time to admonish myself for being a silly old c*w ..... not for the first or the last time.

And, looking back to that night, it was as though that downpour epitomised all the tears of an adoring & grateful nation at the loss of their beloved Queen.

ME14addick said:

The evening after Princess Diana's funeral and having watched the scenes from London showing all the flowers at Kensington Palace, my husband and I looked at each other and said we have to go up to London. We got in the car and drove up to London, went to Buckingham Palace first, where we looked at the flowers that were still there.

We then went to Kensington Palace and the carpet of flowers and tributes hanging in the trees was a sight and smell that I will never forget. It was now dark and there were candles & tea lights in the trees, it was a magical scene and to this day, the smell of lilies always makes me remember that evening. We queued up to sign the books of condolence inside the palace. and it was quite late when we left.

I would love to be able to go up to London again, but I can no longer walk far due to arthritis, but would recommend that if you feel you need to do what we did, it will be something you will never regret and remember for the rest of your life.

CharltonMadrid said:

There was rolling TV coverage on the news here in Spain last night and I have to say it made me very proud to be British. No other Head of State has ever been as well known, loved and respected.

MrWalker said:

Did King Charles nick the pen requiring William to ask for another?

soapboxsam said:

CL reflects the mood of the Country with a truce on whether we are staunch Monarchists or like myself desperate to see a slimmed down monarchy in sync with 2022 issues.

I have been an atheist since I was 8 years old and have never wanted to be a subject but I appreciate the lack of an alternative without a civil way taking place again as many folk are Monarchists until they die and no doubt as they believe in a big G after as well !

King Charles III unlike his Mother who was 50 years younger when becoming Queen  has had a lifetime to prepare for the job of king. 

Where the Queen would only give her views in the Royal circle, Charles has been out spoken on many issues.

Charles and William will work together as the king knows his productive period will be in the next decade, nature willing, and he will want the baton to be handed over to  William in a smooth as possible a way and that the new Prince of Wales continues the Journey to reflect a 21st century monarchy that has to change to stay relevant but will want to still be at the head and heart of the ever changing demographics of the United Kingdom.

I have been watching the Crown on Netflix and the news over the last few days in tandem and it's seems quite seamless when the late Queen Elizabeth had to make difficult decisions and not be bullied by Royal advisors, Prime ministers or the media. Learning on the job in her 20's was difficult but the Queen dedicated her life for 70 years to the job.

Amazing Longevity that we will never see again.

Blackheathen said:

Fanny Fanackapan said:

Unexpectedly, I was moved to tears when the news of our Queen's passing was officially announced, accompanied by footage of her most recent public appearances, especially the welcoming of our new PM just 2 days earlier. 

This strong, resilient & ever present lady appeared so very frail outwardly, yet continued to fulfill her duties as resiliently & wholeheartedly as she had always done. On reflection, I have to wonder how poorly she was feeling underneath that unchanging countenance. 

As the evening progressed,  I found myself reaching for the tissues time & time again, without, seemingly, anything in particular precipitating said tears. 

It wasn't until past midnight, as, in bed, I read the usual dozen or so pages of my current book before turning off the light, I "allowed" myself to acknowledge that I was resurrecting the death of my old Mum almost 7 years ago at the age of 95.....and although Mum was almost 6 feet tall, she had the same silvery hair & the same demeanour as our Monarch. 

Whether it was the realisation that I hadn't mourned this very special lady properly together with memories of failing to spend enough time with her in those later years, I know not. But shallowly buried feelings of guilt were brought crashing into focus as I was forced to confront them and the flood gates opened.  And the realisation that I am barely 20 short years away  from this unenviable position should I have similar longevity. A sobering thought indeed.

Then, as if "someone up there" was reading my mind, there was a peal of thunder, the heavens opened & torrential rain bucketed down all around the house, and seemingly brought me back to reality and time to admonish myself for being a silly old c*w ..... not for the first or the last time.

And, looking back to that night, it was as though that downpour epitomised all the tears of an adoring & grateful nation at the loss of their beloved Queen.

That’s a moving post FannyF thank you.  Mention of your Mum prompts me to ask where does your love of Charlton come from?

Back to the topic in hand though, wasn’t that a superb speech from King Charles.