General non-MG related discussions. No politics here please!!
Today is the 60th anniversary of the day Queen Elizabeth ascended to the throne.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/46245677/ns/today-today_people/
I was fortunate to meet the queen in 1976 - I was an awe-struck 14 y/o, for sure. That she took a minute to chat with me left a big impression on me. As I've said before on this forum, I gave my youngest daughter the middle name 'Windsor' in honor of that moment in 1976. Rule Brittania!
Brings back some memories. At age 8 I was returning to the States from Turkey with a two day layover in London. This was in 53 and the Queens coronation was going on. I remember giant crowns hung above the roadways, a lot of decorations. The most exciting thing for me was being able to drink fresh milk as powdered milk was what I was drinking for the previous two years. Another memory was that big blue whale that was hanging from the ceiling and going through several rooms at the museum. Left London at night and enjoyed the city lights below as I headed east to my beloved South.
Windsor? Good choice - rather that than "Saxe-Coburg-Gotha"! ;) What did she say to you, can you remember? Did any twinkle of personality shine through from her business persona?
I'm anti-monarchy in principle but a realist about it in practice, and Liz is a consummate professional. Barely put a foot wrong in those 60 years. Think how many Heads of State you can say that about. Of course Phil uses up her share of gaffes and more!
My sister used to work for something like the third in command of the British Navy, and he told her the following anecdote about a formal dinner he attended at queenie's joint. Apparently after dinner the butler comes out with a dome-covered silver platter. The Queen puts her fingers in her gob and whistles and all the corgis come running. Under the platter is a spread of dog biccies, which she feeds to the dogs. One is just like you and I... ;)
Yes, her personality did shine through that day. She looked at me, smiled, waved that wave and said 'well - halloooooo!'. I confess I've forgoten what we both said after that!
Great! Got a bit of a soft spot for Liz, too. Nothing for Charlie Boy, but Liz is in it for the long haul. If she's anything like her ma she'll be on the throne til 120!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoDoIvAUS_0
I remember I was in about the 2nd grade at the time of the coronation. It was broadcast live in the US and that was a VERY big deal back then as there were no satellites - it had to be transmitted over the transoceanic telephone cable between the US and GB - quite a feat in the day. What ticked me off, was that the kids in my class whose families had TVs got to stay home from school and watch the coronation. My family didn't have one yet, so I had to go to school.
Like Steve, I am anti-monarchy. I just can't see bestowing that kind of priviledge on anyone, especially someone who didn't earn it first, I don't care how many French her great-great-great...grandfather drove out of England. But as Steve indicates also, she has been a terrific model for royalty/ruler or what have you. She has certainly behaved better than the vast majority of our elected heads of state.
The privilege argument is one that was often made from the perspective of "divine right". It was God's Will for Elizabeth to be leader and Defender of the Faith, not the guy running the newspaper stand outside Buckingham Palace. Not one I buy into, but there it is. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_right_of_kings
I was down in London today at the Royal Brompton Hospital so I dropped of my passenger and popped back around to Hyde Park and watched the 41 Gun Salute at 12 noon.
"Her majesties a pretty fine girl, but she doesn't have alot to say,
Her majesties a pretty fine girl, but she changes every day,
I wanna tell that I love her alot
but Iv'e gotta have a belly full of wine,
Her majesties she's a pretty fine
and tonight I'm gonna make her mine, oh yeah, tonight I'm gonna make her mine".
The Beatles.(Abbey rd album).
Our federal government will be pulling all the stops for this occasion, and I have to admit it's kind of nice.
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20120206/diamond-jubilee-celebrations-120206/
Of course, not everyone is in favour, but I think most people can appreciate the monarchy, in one way or another.
I'm for any celebration of that lady anywhere any time. Through sunshine and fog England has had 60 years of steady reign and I'm afraid that such royalty will never be seen again after her passing. The Brits had better be very proud of what they have while it lasts.
Crikey, could you imagine it...."Old jug ears" (Charles) and his pet horse (Parker Bowles) being on the thrown? It would create an international incident.
Yes William and Kate for me also.
Harry could be the court jester.
Being "on the throne" has a whole 'nuther connotation here from there... ::o