Here are some photos of Queen Elizabeth II a few days ago during a trip to Liverpool. During this whole Brexit debacle, the Queen never said anything publicly. I mean, she wouldn’t, would she? She’s supposed to be apolitical, although with the Scottish independence vote in 2014, the Queen did indicate in one speech (before the vote) that she hoped Scotland would stay. Many hoped that the Queen would do something similar for the Brexit vote, that she would say some cryptic words that could be taken as solidly Brexit or solidly Bremain. She did not. But there were people trying to talk on her behalf in the past few months. Her biographer Robert Lacey claimed that the Queen was a Brexiter, and there were stories that the Queen was suspicious of the EU as far back as 2011.
So many are wondering: should the Queen have let her feelings be known? Should she shoulder part of the blame for the Brexit debacle? The thing is, I don’t even believe that the Queen was some die-hard Brexiter. I think she was probably suspicious of the EU and all of that, but the Queen loves the status quo. She loves when no one is making a fuss. She loves when everything is just as it always was. And she’s been doing this for what? 12 prime ministers and counting? She IS the long-view.
Also, since the Queen didn’t want Scotland to get independence, she’s probably going to be pretty upset that Scotland will likely have another referendum vote. She’s already spoken to David Cameron on the phone, and he went to Buckingham Palace this afternoon to brief the Queen personally on what’s happening. Beyond that, she’s not going to say anything. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told media outlets: “the Palace will not be commenting on or releasing any statement related to Brexit.” But is that the wrong move? Should she say something now that it’s all over? CLUTCH YOUR BROOCHES, PEEPS.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Technically she is not part of government, so she doesn’t need to give a statement. That was Cameron’s job.
Its “her” government though right? I know the tradition is to appear to remain neutral but surely thats just about monarchy self preservation. When something this seismic happens wouldnt her subjects expect to hear from their head of state?
There are ways to subtly indicate her views, but this woman is all about self preservation and so she will do her utmost to remain neutral if it serves her purpose.
If she can manage a ‘please don’t go Scotland’ in the last referendum, she can manage Brexit/Bremain.
No need to take a side; a general encouraging statement on the long term strength and fortitude of the country would be entirely appropriate right now. Saying nothing underscores the uselessness of her role and the institution.
Cynicalceleste: you are so right.
The Palace gave a loud and clear statement when the Scotland vote was up – by having Kate reveal her pregnancy before she had even completed her first trimester. She was how far along, six weeks, eight? No more than eight.
But who could leave the UK when BABIES?
I thought that was cheap, and off-putting.
Interested in what my British friends think. Should she say anything? I would think not, but I don’t know.
I know this is shallow, but I love that brooch.
I think it was right she didn’t say anything before, but I think a general statement now would be appropriate. However the mood is pretty low so maybe it wouldn’t make a difference!!
Maybe she is waiting to see what happens. There are calls for another referendum, especially as Farage has now said that claiming that £350m would go to the NHS a week in Brexit won was ‘a mistake’. She also might be waiting to see what happens with Scotland – tbh I think she cares more about Scotland and the UK being separate than the UK and EU!
It seems like a non-commital but reassuring statement would be appropriate, no? And I could see why she would wait to see what happens, too, seems like just the beginning of a very long road.
As “Head of the Commonwealth” she has a duty to care about the Commonwealth nations. Why would that be considered wrong?
No, she shouldn’t comment in public. The monarch reigns over, but doesn’t rule the nation and should remain politically impartial.
The democratically elected officials should have been capable of putting forward fact-based arguments for and against leaving the EU. However, unsurprisingly, the politics of fear took over and the financial hardships working families have faced in recent years were used to blame the EU and “Johnny Foreigner” for our financial woes, rather than the irresponsible bankers and previous war-mongering leaders who had led us to the brink of national bankruptcy. We need to practice what we preach, properly police the payment of the minimum wage and prosecute any unscrupulous employer who employs two migrants for the same cost as employing one UK national. We need to simplify our tax laws so that it’s harder for companies such as Amazon and Starbucks to exploit existing tax loopholes. There are a thousand things we should have done before leaving the EU, but that would have meant our politicians owning up to making a hash of things and we all know it’s much easier to blame someone, if not everyone else.
My mother was an immigrant to the UK and I don’t recognize my country today. The only thing that’s keeping me sane is Merlot and lot’s of it.
BTW, that brooch is divine 🙂
She can’t take a stand either way she is a figure head it’s all royal protocol mumbo jumbo.
What is the bottom line as far as the BRF goes. Because I want to say, parties over young royals.
I was talking to someone this morning who pointed out that this very well could be the end of the UK. If Brexit gives Scotland the votes it needs to secede/rejoin the EU, and Northern Ireland the impetus to reunit with Ireland (and rejoin the EU) , David Cameron’s legacy will be setting in motion the end of the UK. As far as the Queen goes, she’s likely to live long enough to see that happen. That can’t be a happy scenario for her, and she’s better off not commenting publicly, but WTF is even the purpose of the monarchy at this point? She’s got to suspect she’ll be the last monarch.
I am not British and dont claim to be a monarchy expert or anything but I bet my last dollar that the Queen was Brexit. I gather a large proportion of the exit voters were just pissed at the migrant/refugee issue especially because the current inflow is more darker skinned than they would like. Im not trying to offend the monarchists here but the woman has been married to Prince Phillip for 70 years (and there are other things), I’m just saying that she probably leaned Brexit.
If I recall she made a few indirect statements along the line of “What are the benefits of remaining?” or something like that at some dinner she was in. I may be misremembering, but I doubt she was for remain too.
Rumour has it that she made those statements.
My thing is what will happen to the monarchy in the future? Are they safe now that Britain is BREXIT? Hey it looks like now the monarchy have to step it up now. Looking at you Will and Kate!
I’m probably an idiot when it comes to understanding all the Brexit implications, but wouldn’t this be a good thing for the BRF in the long run? They are once again a boutique brand, much more exclusive than all those lumped together eurotrash royal houses…wink wink…
I think they were always a ’boutique brand’ regardless of the EU. There was never any question about which royal family was the most famous and admired. My question is, can they survive yet another recession, so soon after the last one? I mean, if the pound stays down, thousands of jobs are lost, and the government is forced to implement austerity measures, the public’s sympathy for a bunch of freeloading millionaires could very well reach a breaking point. I know they’ve weathered worse throughout history, but the demographics of Britain have changed a lot in a couple of generations: the population is more educated, less religious, more culturally diverse, etc. As desperate as they are to appear relatable, the royals have never been less relevant to more people.
The Queen will not be commenting on or releasing any statement related to Brexit…as she is too busy filling out her Canadian immigration application.
Sorry…dark humour for dark times.
Hahaha love it!
Funny a lot of the comments I was reading from the “quitters” said that the Windsors were next.
She reigns over Canada. She’s probably asking the GG to move out of the mansion so she can take up residence and that hunky new PM to be available asap.😊
It has been strongly hinted that Trudeau is going to recommend a First Nations candidate for Governor General once David Johnston’s term is finished so she wouldn’t exactly qualify. And since Quebec and non monarchists are a large part of Trudeau’s support, she may not be as welcome as she thinks for a permanent stay. There is no great movement to ditch the Queen because she is a nice old lady who stays on her side of the ocean and she doesn’t cost us too much… But that will change for Charlie.
“Sorry, Liz, we want people under 50 with marketable skills. How are you with data analytics? When was the last time you poured concrete? Have you a physiotherapy credential? Also your dogs — they’ll have to go in quarantine.” – Canadian immigration official
Hahahahaha, spot on. I would add: How many languages you said you were fluent at?
Doesn’t this mean that Will and Kate really have to step it up now? Especially with the pound dropping, and the impending financial turmoil only just arriving I doubt any Britons have the patience (or the funding) for putting up with their shenanigans any longer.
Don’t hold your breath on that…..
The entire Brexit scenario, regardless of one’s position, really magnifies the significant issues in Britain regarding jobs, immigration, nationalism, etc. that make this quaint institution seem absolutely absurd. I can understand feelings of loyalty to the Queen, but surely fewer and fewer feel any loyalty to the institution itself. The RF has got to be on its way out.
William and Kate will do just enough to skate by. They are like D- students who only do enough schoolwork to earn their credit toward graduation. They don’t really care about doing a good job because they’re interest is elsewhere.
I don’t think it will cut it this time. People who voted leave will see the country mess and I doubt the public have time for laziness and spending money on the royal family with the pound going down.
Kitty:
I would pay $$ (which is now worth much more in Britain) to hear WK discuss the financial implications of leaving the EU. They went to a top university, and I can only imagine they regularly read the Economist and have many fascinating opinions to share. /sarcasm. Seriously, what is the point public funds to support a class of people who can’t vote, don’t read, and aren’t conversant in current issues?
The BRF serves no useful purpose and should be ‘let go’ asap. I am of the opinion that people who successfully challenged the status quo with Brexit will also review their relationship with other institutions. This vote was also giving the ‘elites’ (bankers, politicians, the upper class etc) the finger. I agree with commenters who find no use for the monarchy. It is just an expensive anachronism. Further, why give a family of dullards so much public money and why on earth should anyone fawn all over them? Makes no sense.
Coward.
Self Preservation.
irrelevant.
Ornamental!
Brooches!
LOL……….great humor….love it.
Glad this was posted. I was wondering this myself yesterday as this was unfolding. Can the Queen ever make a public state on politics? I know she is just a figure head with no power but she is still a Brit with opinions on the matter.
She’s a Brit who is paid not to have an opinion and in many or most cases, stating her opinion would hurt her position and her family.
The Royal family is prohibited from being involved in government affairs. In fact, if they do get involved, I believe they’re fined? I remember Charles being fined when he was discussing some government decisions a while back, and being surprised that the BRF couldn’t have an opinion when it was their country.
Charles has meddles for years in governmental affairs and has lobbied for rights not given to others. Also, there is an incredible lack of transparency with royal expenditure. The royals may well be shaken with the Brexit result because it is just a matter of time when the UK public points its collective finger at them. Charles has lobbied to take the Duchy of Cornwall for himself. I think they’ll all be trying to stash as much public money as they can get their hands on before the inevitable happens. Yep, it’s all about status and self-preservation.
Free Scotland!
yeah
I don’t expect her or any royal to say anything. They don’t want to alienate their subjects.
Is the future of the monarchy not in a goof place?
Who cares about what the Queen does about this, for real? I want to k now how Cameron can resign. Can you bring him up on charges for dereliction of duty or something? If QE2 says anything it should be some royal shade directed to that w$(&^#%.
No, he can resign any time he wants. If he woke up with a hangnail in a bad mood, he could resign over that. His party will be pissed at him and it means his political life is likely over, but all he did to become PM was lead his party to victory.
He may have resigned as Prime Minister but he is still an elected MP with his own constituency and can still sit in the House of Commons with the Conservatives. From my understanding, he didn’t give up being a Member of Parliament just the head of the Conservative Party. The same thing has happened in Canada on occasion as we have the same parliamentary system here.
Good point. If a general election gets called, he’ll have to face that music separately.
Wasn’t the referendum basically a vote of no confidence? Had that been a vote in Parliament he would be gone as leader as well. PMs have gone down for far less serious errors.
The Queen is a constitutional monarch. Her powers are removed from those of the ruling government. She does not vote. Her opinion is not welcome in political matters. It is actually her duty not to say anything.
She has to abide by the will of the people.
Agree. She is not elected and is in a completely ceremonial role. She is supposed to be apolitical, at least in public. She can think or say what she likes in private of course but in public, it’s a no-no.
Off topic but this is why Prince Charles has gotten himself into hot water in the past, because he involves himself in political discussions when he should, in fact, be staying apolitical as he is in a purely ceremonial role and unelected.
My guess is if she did vote it was to leave. I think the EU is about to dissolve. One country after another. Our politicians are figureheads only. They are bought and sold by those with big money. Puppets really. Dancing by the strings of big oil, big media, big Pharma and multi national corporations.
She can’t vote, but I think you’re right about the EU. I understand that Sweden is especially unhappy.
She can vote in elections — hey, she pays taxes after all –, so I’m not sure why she wouldn’t be able to vote in a referendum. (Whether she would actually exercise her right to vote is another matter.)
Is Brexit good or bad for the royals…I honestly can’t figure it out? Thoughts?
Bad. Economically its awful
Ok, I’m going to defend the Queen on this one. I know that most commenters here are Americans, so maybe you don’t realise that most Presidencies are not like the US Presidency. There are many democratic, republican countries in which the President is merely the Head of the Army, the representative of the country contacting with other Presidents/ Kings-Queens (Foreign Policy). In my country, that’s basically it, The President has to be neutral, have no party while on presidency, work as as a mediator between government and opposition, and also, in case any laws are passed in which he may feel that they are unconstitutional, he sends them to Constitutional Court, they issue their opinion about the legality of the law, and the President sends the lawback to government for them to change the incontituinalities in the law (if they, government, wish to) … And that’s it. Basically, it’s similar to being a King, he makes no decisions in terms of ruling the countryt.
Oh and he can call up for elections if he believes the government is failling the country,,,
I too read that the Queen was pro-Brexit. Which is fine, but did she even foresee that Scotland would vote on an exit again and Northern Ireland would vote to unite with the South? Monarch of what exactly? Britain and Wales? Considerably weaker economy. If she doesn’t express an opinion and the people suffer because of it, how is that a virtue? Just more proof that the Royal Family is worthless!
It’s temporarily weak. Everyone is hysterical but it will calm down.
You don’t know that.
Look at history. Every time there’s a financial crisis of some sort it settles down. I can’t see Scotland leaving or Ireland for that matter. England is only the first to go.
Scotland is not going to give up the chance for a second referendum. It was close last time and the expectation of being in the EU was why many voters held their nose and voted to stay. If the UK can leave the EU then why does Scotland need to stay with the U.K.? You separate one political affiliation, you justify the separation of others.
As for Northern Ireland, although it may be trickier, it could reunite with Ireland. To the outside observer, it actually doesn’t make sense for the island of Ireland to be two separate countries and the only reason it has remained so is because the UK was powerful enough to hold on to their portion. You render the UK less powerful economically, and the interest in joining your neighbour who is physically next door as opposed to across the sea, becomes a lot stronger.
We went through a version of this when Quebec wanted to separate. Once you justify devolving a country, where does it stop? In Quebec a big issue the separatists ignored was that First Nation peoples wanted to reclaim the portions of Quebec which did not exist prior to 1759, making the province a lot smaller and without access to its hydro electric power. Of course they didn’t want to consider that argument.
So Britain basically ruined their own country! Good job
IIRC the queen held a speech at a banquet in Berlin some time ago where she sounded as “remain” as she could.