Here are some photos of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles from yesterday and today. Yesterday the Queen held a garden party at Buckingham Palace (with Charles and Prince Edward in attendance) and then today she opened Parliament (the white outfit). At yesterday’s garden party, it seemed like it was overcast in the morning, then as soon as the party got going, it started to pour rain. What’s so pleasing and surprising to me is that the Queen doesn’t mind holding her own umbrella. As one does. Prince Charles held his own umbrella too! As for the opening of Parliament… the Queen unveiled her new stagecoach.
There’s been a lot of spilled ink about the Queen and whether she would ever follow in King Juan Carlos’ footsteps and abdicate so her son could take over. I don’t believe the Queen would ever do that, although if her approval ratings were as low as King Juan Carlos’, she might consider it. As it is, the Queen is extremely popular and she has Charles quietly taking more and more responsibilities anyway.
Many of you have been discussing Richard Kay’s Daily Mail article from a few days ago. Kay was once very, very close to Princess Diana, and he’s been on the royal beat for literally decades. His recent story was all about Prince William being a “stubborn, reluctant royal” but there’s a lot of good gossip and some substantial shade in there too – go here to read. Basically, Kay makes William sound like he’ll do anything to avoid royal work, and how he’s a “man of contradictions.” My favorite part? He tells people that he doesn’t want to be called “his royal highness” but demands that staffers curtsy to Kate. One “courtier” tells Kay: “Like his father, he has a short temper. People remember when they have been shouted at.” It’s a really interesting read. And it makes me appreciate Prince Charles – he has NO reluctance. He loves royal work.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I love that her umbrella matches her outfit.
+1!!
Same here!
Me tooooo! And I can’t help but wonder…did she match the outfit to the umbrella or did they hunt up an umbrella to match the outfit?
There is a book and documentary about HM’s outfits. Nothing is left to chance. Brollies will match the clothes or vice versa.
She has a stable of clear brollies with trim in every color to match every outfit.
YES!
QEII has a slew of umbrellas and her staff always has one on hand that matches her outfit. She also has them see thru so everyone can always see her. I think they are even specially made for QEII.
So there’s your British Royal Fun Fact! 😜
That’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever heard. I love the Queen!
They are Fulton Birdcage umbrellas. I have one with black trim, and it is the best umbrella I have ever owned.
http://www.ellaumbrella.com/fulton-birdcage-black-umbrella.html
I want to hug this comment! so sweet!!
These umbrellas are brilliant because they don’t go inside-out in a gale. Not as much coverage but worth the trade-off when the winds start.
Good grief – how do you know these things? I’m a Brit and I didn’t know that!
I heard about the specially commissioned umbrellas to match HM’s outfits; I just love her Brolly Brigade.
*hangs head in embarrassment*
I’ve been a Royal Loonie for almost three decades now.
And I read a lot. I mean A LOT a lot.
I loved that too! Go on with your bad self, Your Majesty!
I was just wondering if she has a matching umbrella for all her outfits. Shes the queen so she probably does!
I was there yesterday! Managed to get about 10m away before being ushered away. She was very smiley and cute. Oh and the mini Victoria sponges were to die for!
You all are a wonder…getting so close to the queen and all.
Wow, are you my first ever Internet troll? Fun! Was just expressing excitement over what was a once in a lifetime experience for a plebeian like me. No need to worry about delusions of grandeur….
No Binky, I was being serious. I was impressed, not being sarcastic at all. I would love to see the queen.
Re-reading it, I guess the comment did appear snarky. I was typing in a hurry. I apologize, so please don’t take offense. I was actually impressed!
Sorry! Sarcasm is practically the second language of the UK – just goes to show I shouldn’t jump to conclusions 🙂
The saddest thing when Queen Elizbeth dies is that we won’t have her amazing royal matchy-matchy wardrobe. As for William and Kate, they seem so stupid they just make us like Charles. I hope Charles hang on the throne for years before giving it to Will, the Bald.
The Queen Mother used to do that, as well – her umbrellas were always clear see-through plastic with a trim which matched the color of her outfit exactly.
Gah, how cute is she with that umbrella!!
Aw, her umbrella matches her outfit. She’s just irreplaceable. Not because of the umbrella, of course, just that generation with it’s sense of propriety and decorum. When they’re all gone, we will have lost something of the elegance of living that I’m not sure will ever come again.
+1000 GoodNames!
I couldn’t have said it better myself 🙂
Amen.
Couldn’t agree more !!!!
Yes I agree totally, I’m no Royalist but it seems to me the Queen is the only member of her family who understands the notion of duty and service to her Country, that’s the pay off, once she’s gone the Windsors are stuffed…
Queen Elizabeth is from another generation, where being a royal was more about duties and the obligation to serve your people than being famous. Kate and William will never have her class and elegance, they just look like spoiled kids who will inherit their family business.
And that’s why she’ll never abdicate; for her it’s a duty with responsibility inherent in it, not a job.
This is a matter of upbringing and won’t be ever lost completely. However, many young people who do possess this sense of dignity and elegance are not in the media, and good for them.
1) HM usually carries her own umbrella
2) If she didn’t-you can’t blame her, she’s 88 years old. If anyone has earned an umbrella carrier–its her. NOT J-LO.
3) HM will NEVER abdicate. EVER.
And she carries a purse with her everywhere. That baffles me! But I love her.
It’s not a purse she carries for the same reasons you and I carry a purse.
All royals have codes to help them end media questions or take breaks without asking for breaks. How the Queen places or carries her purse are signals.
For another.. Charles will answer journalist questions randomly and when he cracks a joke it’s the signal for his security to usher him along without Charles saying he doens’t want to answer any more questions.
He purse styles remind me of Sophias wicker and beaded Golden Girls purse.
Sacre bleu! ER carries a HANDBAG, ladies. Lady Bracknell would have a fit. You Americans might have purses; we Brits put our pennies in purses. We signal our flunkies with our HANDBAGS.
Sixer: Gin and Dubonnet for you for that Lady Bracknell reference. 🙂
We also Handbag people, which basically means thumping them with said item – although I’m sure Her Maj would never reduce herself to such an activity – although Lady Bracknell undoubtedly would have…
Heh – when I was a buyer for Lord & Taylor, we didn’t sell purses. Not ever. We sold handbags.
Technically (and historically) purses are small pouches for holding currency. Before there was paper money coins were tendered and it was expedient/necessary to carry it in a folded or drawstring pouch – a purse. If you won a tournament you literally took home the winner’s purse.
So the ladies are correct ^ What women actually carry is a handbag. There may or may not be a purse inside of it. Most people use wallets or small coin purses.
Am I the the only one who genuinely thinks she will outlive Charles? I know it’s pretty much impossible but the Queen seems like she will live long into her 100s.
I think the Queen will be around for a while but there is no reason why Charles could live to be 100 either.
I agree. I’ve always thought it odd to presume that the Queen will outlive Charles when her father died relatively young but Charles has two very long-lived parents.
doubt it …
she has quite a bit to worry about right now …
Didn’t the Queen Mum live until 104? The current Queen seems very
fit for her age and might even outlive her own Mum. Let’s hope….
I hope she does outlive Charles. Nothing would please me more, in fact (you know, in terms of Royal Stuff).
QM was 102. But her sister Margaret (who partied hard) didn’t live as long.
hmm i think Philip´s death will play a big part… The Queen will grieve and age a lot when he´s gone. They were together for so long and things will change in her private life, her daily routine. She will be alone. Don´t think she will outlive Charles.
•Dany•
I agree. I think Philip’s death will devastate Lilibet. She’s been in love with him since she was 13 and during her last Jubilee almost every family member commented on just HOW MUCH they are a team and how much she relies on Philip.
Like Victoria before her, Lilibet will not be the same after her beloved departs.
I love the last photo! They all look like mannequins!
Lizzie just kicks arse in that yellow outfit. Also, I want that umbrella.
She’s a beautiful, accomplished woman. I would love to know what she thinks.
This woman is never seen without impeccable make-up when she’s on duty. Fascinating.
Maybe HM should teach Kate how to put on make up.
I adore that shade of yellow that Queen has on.
Buttercup yellow? Love it, too.
I think the heavens mixed up the birth order of those two boys.
William and Harry? DEFINITLEY.
Harry would be an excellent King.
Hmmm. Maybe-but he also has the advantage of knowing that he won’t be king-that has to be liberating, emotionally.
Interesting point, true I would think.
He couldn’t have known that. Things happen and do happen all the time. Young people get sick and die every day. Many people amaze me with their “not to me” attitude. Up until George’s birth, Harry would have been a simpleton to have such an attitude and he didn’t have it as he was raised knowing things happen. Besides “good king Harry” being said to a boy by his mother… eh, it does build something on the inside. Being the nickname of Henry IV King of France and Navarre brings interesting associations. I always smiled on Diana’s choice of a nickname for little Harry.
Royal work=walking around and waving at people. Meanwhile us commoners are slaving to pay mortgages and such. If it’s true it makes him ridiculously unlikable.
The Queen is the Head of State, and ‘Head of the Nation’. She’s not like one of those “princes” that turn up on American reality TV shows from countries that don’t exit.
As Head of State, The Queen undertakes constitutional and representational duties which have developed over one thousand years of history.
There are inward duties, with The Queen playing a part in State functions in Britain. Parliament must be opened, Orders in Council have to be approved, Acts of Parliament must be signed, and meetings with the Prime Minister must be held.
There are also outward duties of State, when The Queen represents Britain to the rest of the world. For example, The Queen receives foreign ambassadors and high commissioners, entertains visiting Heads of State, and makes State visits overseas to other countries, in support of diplomatic and economic relations.
Now, would you mind telling William that?
I wonder if Prince Charles is at all concerned about Prince William’s work-shy ways? On the one hand, I know he doesn’t want to be overshadowed by the younger royals, but on the other hand he must be starting to realize that his plan for a “slimmed down monarchy” once he’s in the top job will be unworkable if 2 of the 5 major players don’t want to do much?
There was a bit in the DM a couple weeks ago about how Prince Philip’s engagements were up 20% for the May/June period compared to last year – and he’s about to turn 93. Also, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall did a crazy intense Canadian tour a coupe of weeks ago that makes the Australia/New Zealand tour look like a paid vacation. I would think all of this would make it obvious to the Prince of Wales that his plan just won’t work.
And briefly (putting on my tin foil hat, LOL) – a month or so ago I mentioned in a comment that the Charles headed Press Office at the Palace cropped Prince Edward out the official monarchy Flickr stream photos of a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award’s scheme event attended by the Queen and Prince Philip. Well, about 2 or 3 weeks after I noticed that the daily feed of latest Royal images from the official monarchy website that auto posts to my Facebook started featuring the Countess of Wessex a lot in the first couple of pics!! I wonder if someone got words for cropping Prince Edward out of that pic and was trying to make amends, LOL!! Probably not, but I love that theory anyhow 🙂
The ‘prince Charles doesn’t want to be overshadowed by William’ doesn’t make sense when you consider that Harry is more popular than William and isn’t being held back. Not one bit.
Further, the planned slim down of the monarchy doesn’t work if 2 of the 5 are being held back.
Charles needs the monarchy to continue past him. It’s in his best interests to have popular heirs as it shores up his own position in a form of back handed compliment.
If his heirs aren’t popular, the public questions why we should carry on beyond HM or even him at a pinch.
Oh •LAK• I was hoping you’d say something like this!
I (obviously) agree. And the Richard Kay article flat out said that while Charles empathises with William he needs William to start working more as both Philip and QEII are needing to wind down a bit. And they deserve to be able to do it too.
Any chance that Charles himself was behind that article? (Or his press office?) I honestly got the feign that a lot of people were *very* frustrated with William to be so bold as to ask RK to write something so…honest.
Sugar. Wrong place. Sorry.
Hi LAK,
I think I may not have made myself clear. What I meant by “slimmed down monarchy” is related to the rumblings that Prince Charles wants to phase out working royals other than Himself, the Duchess of Cornwall, the Cambridges and Prince Harry.
You simply restated my question – how can he do so – slim down – when 2 of the 5 – the Cambridges – do not seem committed to Royal work?
Moreover, the fact that Prince Harry does in fact overshadow Prince Charles does not negate the fact – alleged fact – that Prince Charles has concerns about being overshadowed which stem from his experience with Princess Diana.
There have been several articles I’ve read relating to the timing of things, for example William and Kate being on a vacation day so as not to distract from the Irish President’s state visit, etc. Similarly, there were a couple articles in the Mail and elsewhere about Charles’ press offices attempt to focus media attention on his works as opposed to Kate’s clothes, frivolities, etc.
Thus, my question – if the Cambridges continue in their stubborn reluctance to be committed to royal endeavors while staying mired in frivolities, doesn’t that mean it would be in the monarchy’s best interest to not slim down? Wouldn’t it be in the monarchy’s best interest to continue to embrace the Wessexes, the Princess Royal, the Kents, etc. and those of their children who are willing and capable of doing royal work? I’ve seen videos of Princess Beatrice giving a couple of speeches. She did one at a children’s hospital not long ago – very articulate and far more genuine than Kate. Might not Lady Louise grow up to be like Sophie, who seems such a natural and doesn’t get the coverage she deserves for all of her many endeavors?
I read the Kay article the day it came out. Kay’s impression is that both Her Majesty and the Prince of Wales want Prince William to “man up” so to speak. That’s one thing. But given his personality and his conduct thus far, wouldn’t it also be possible that Prince William’s version of “manning up” isn’t enough? Even at his best he’ll never be a Prince Philip or a Prince Charles.
@Aeryn39 – “Even at his best he’ll never be a Prince Philip or a Prince Charles.”
I agree with this 100%. I think this is b/c of two things: 1) His personality; and, 2) the times we are living in. As I’ve stated before, being a royal in this age just doesn’t provide the same perks that it used to, particularly when we’re talking about William’s circle of friends. Prince Charles and Prince Philip both grew up in times when being a royal was respected, had an extensive amount of perks, and privacy could be decently protected. Looking at William and his crew, William got the short end of stick (and Harry to a lesser extent). His friends get to be rich, maintain their privacy, and answer to no one. William wants something like this as much as possible for as long as possible. Unlike what the article mentions I don’t think William is looking for a job/hobby/activity that gives him purpose or a sense of “normality.” He just wants a reason to “escape” and be lazy. Plain and simple. The reason his mother GOT INVOLVED in so many charities is because it gave her a sense of purpose and grounded her and I suspect that’s the same reason for Harry. Actually, I believe he’s stated this multiple times.
I don’t know how I feel about William and Harry’s cousins having official roles. On the one hand, the Queen’s cousins have a lot of patronages that will just fall by the wayside when that generation dies out. On the other, in 2014 I would be awfully disappointed if I were invited to a garden party and only got to meet Beatrice or Eugenie.
I do think Andrew did his girls a disservice by raising them to believe they would have some role – Peter and Zara have just gotten on with it, and I suspect there is a lot less angst there.
Aeryn39: Apologies. i was reading CB on my phone. Punctuation isn’t very clear on my phone and so it appeared that you were making statements.
I agree 100% with what you asking as well as your statements to clarify.
What are we to do with William??!!
PS:HH…..100% agree with you too.
As much as William moans about wanting to be normal, what he means is normal like his friends, not normal like the false image of ‘one of us regular people’ that they repeatedly trot out.
What he doesn’t realise is that his ‘normal’ friends don’t have a spotlight target on their back so that even if he steps away, he will not be ‘normal’ even by their standards – David should be a glaring example for him.
An enormous amount of pressure must be on William right now.
Wolfpup
Indeed. William’s choices that have only delayed him taking on more work as a royal. Maybe if he was easing himself in it would be less stressful? He is the cause of his own grief imo. Even Harry is doing more.
I at least applaud William for being personable, funny and engaging when he does an appearance. He actually has been quite busy since Australia/NZ even if he can’t make up his mind what to do in the grand scheme.
If you read that article Richard Kay wrote, it pretty much states that while Charles empathises with his son, both he and QEII *need* William to ‘man up’ and start working.
If William (and, perhaps, Kate) miss the low-key life and the camaraderie of regular folks, why didn’t William just stay in the military a few more years?
•Suze•
I don’t know why he didn’t just stay.
Maybe the RAF was sick of covering for him? I don’t know. The almost losing his wings was not a good thing on William’s part. But I don’t wonder if there were issues with *how and when* he could fly.
Someone on tumblr had a cousin who served (very distantly) with Harry in Afghanistan and apparently Harry could go up only if things weren’t too dangerous. What if William had those same restrictions? Long term royal watchers know how much William hates to be dictated too (and RK re-emphasised that too). So maybe the job wasn’t what he thought or expected and grew disillusioned with?
So no clue. Any random speculations on your side?
@LS
His job came to an end because the RAF search and rescue was privatised to outside contractors under austerity cuts. William did make dangerous rescues – landing halfway up mountains in blizzards and all that jazz, so I don’t think it was any operational resentment. His job ended is all. His colleagues, including the instructor team, were all made redundant.
I’d say it’s as simple as this: he could have transferred to another job within the service but the options all looked either too boring, too visible, or too much work, and he thought he could get away with college courses, babydaddying et al, all of which were preferable to any real commitment to anything.
I bet he wishes he’d thought further ahead now. He could be like Harry – nice promotion to major to cover a London desk job at which he is required once a fortnight for half an hour.
PS: Here you go:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/industry/defence/8923452/Not-even-Flight-Lieutenant-William-Wales-could-save-his-search-and-rescue-teams.html
As you can see, it was thought he would transfer. Then he didn’t! Bad move, Willy.
Oh I read so much between the lines of the many articles that popped up when William was dithering in his final year (and unofficial 1st gap yah!) in the military.
When it was first announced that SAR was being privatised, there was a lot of talk about where he would end up. The discussion was never about his exit from the military, even when DoE went into hospital after that 4hr boat show.
There was talk of Scotland or back into the army via Household Calvary in London or Windsor.
Then various retired military men of high rank, if not the top rank, from different services gave interviews about the trouble of having princes in the service.
I remember thinking that they really didn’t want William, who had probably been more trouble than they’d thought when they took him on. And none wanted him back.
By contrast, Harry had glowing, gushing goodbye words from his Apache service commanders when he was merely transferring jobs within the military to his current desk job.
The curious thing about RK’s article is the direct attack on the heir……things that make you go ummmm.
He outright calls William a short-tempered, entitled, dithering reluctant royal.
Who was the last short-tempered, entitled, dithering, reluctant royal heir?
I suppose Charles has some of those qualities, but not all. I don’t think he’s reluctant and in recent years he hasn’t been particularly dithering.
But William’s great great uncle David? Very much so.
But then again, I think it was Sixer who said that there have been many examples of heirs who were true dilettantes and eventually straightened up and flew right. So that may be William’s lot. I’d just like to live long enough to see it.
•Sixer•
I knew his job was getting phased out but there was still time before he left (his unit I think had another year). He could have gone to any of the other branches too. The SeaKing is used by the Navy (at least the American Navy) and he could re-qualify on another helo too.
He had options IF the military wanted him. And that’s the assumption that that comment rests on which might explain why he didn’t stay….
LS
When SAR finally became privatized I read a hilarious bit of fiction on how William would lock himself in their offices refusing to leave without another excuse to avoid duties waiting. It really painted him as an adult child.
The writing was on the wall. Many left or had back up positions before the action happened, but William appeared to be holding on for dear life.
Anyone remember the link? Thought I read it here.
LAK
Gap yah!!! More please.
yeah, the Canada tour was overloaded with real engagements. Bumgate Tour 2014 was just a big playdate in comparision. I don´t think most Brits even know that Charles and Camilla were in Canada?
I shall now forever recall that tour as the Bumgate Tour. I’m not sure that’s a good thing, heh.
In that first pic with the umbrella she looks like a total boss. Like a mafia hitman disguised as an elderly woman. LOVE it.
And love the old school Umbrella. hahaha.
The British royal family lives insanely privileged and often odd lives, but at least both the queen and Prince Charles have enough self-awareness to know that having an umbrella handler would be seen as simply too outré.
I found the Richard Kay piece interesting. He seems to find Kate fairly sympathetic and William a ditherer. I often think that Kate’s perceived work-shy ways are a direct reflection of William’s desires. He doesn’t want to work harder, therefore she can’t. Not that she doesn’t go along with it with great happiness.
•Suze•
I found that article beyond fascinating. There was SO much shade for William I was honestly stunned. I got the feeling several of the courtiers came to him and asked him to tell the world what’s going on. It also seemed filled with factual nuggets. I wouldn’t also be surprised if Charles himself wasn’t behind the article either.
And your correct, it was fairly nice about Kate, not that she’s mentioned much.
LadySlippers, I had the same impression. It reads a bit like it was built upon inside whispers wishing to get out. I was rather surprised by all the subtle and more pointed digs, including the strength of Kay’s ending comment: “….and make up his mind. Queen and country deserve that.”
Yes, it was done in a subtle and very British way, but there is a definite eyebrow raised toward William. It does sound like it was leaked by sources in the know, too, not just speculation.
I’m glad that Harry, at least, inherited some of his father’s sense of duty and his mother’s work ethic, although, frankly, neither son takes to work the way their mother did.
What interests me is – wasn’t Kate touted as a good influence on William? I wonder if she herself has been so insulated by years of royal life and near-royal life that she no longer can judge how the wind is blowing?
Of course, they don’t really *see* the public unless they are on tour, and then it’s all excited, gushing crowds. Maybe they think that is the norm.
I find myself being such a Harry apologist, but he does work quite a bit more than William despite still being active military and unmarried, both of which were excuses William used to do little to no work. I do think Harry genuinely engages with people in the same way his mother did, but I think that’s inherent and can’t be taught or faked – I suppose it’s being a people person.
There’s been a lot of “bad news” lately; that’s a lot of pressure to put on William, mere mortal and all.
Suze
Kate as the good influence on William was pure fiction imo. This was backed up by claiming she convinced him to change majors and it was all him trusting her good judgement. The better half and all that argument. So much of their early days and uni days have been heavily rewritten.
It seems they’ve never left their bubble. William was always heavily protected and Kate had her mother and the tabs. Reality doesn’t seem to touch these 2 anymore.
FLORC
Actually, the Mids and Kate are credited with talking William out of dropping out of university. I agree that there has been WK fairy tale whitewashing but it is equally true that normal, harmless aspects of their long relationship have also been rewrittten and made to look ugly and cheap. Neither give the true story. The truth is in the middle.
Dame – I think that some of the stupid official rewriting of history has made many of us cynical about everything in their relationship. For example, the official statement at the time of their engagement said that they had been dating seven years, loping off a couple of years for who knows what reason (unless they were “adjusted” years, taking into account a couple of breakups.) Regardless, making the dating timeline fuzzy for unknown reasons made people not believe much that was published about the relationship.
I will say that I think, particularly in the beginning, that Kate’s “normal” life was a good influence on Wills. I put normal in quotes because she was living a very privileged life by most measures, although nothing like royal family privileged.
Dame
What Suze said. I’ve become cynical.
And maybe early on William enjoyed Kate’s life and family. All the praise with little expectations of him. That might have been later spun into Kate being the good influence.
And I agree. The truth is in the middle of it all. We’ve just been told such an extreme for so long it’s hard to feel most of that is truth.
I was at State Opening today! The Queen is so small in real life.
I think she’s only 5’4″.
She’s that tall? I thought shorter. 5′ 2″ish.
Lara, lucky you!!!
Go little Queen, go!!! I hope she lasts and lasts.
Yep today I got to see The Queen, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, Camilla, the Prime Minister plus all the Cabinet and Opposition. Today is a day that I love my job!
Gosh, QEII, Charles, Camilla, Edward, and Sophie look *fantastic*! Can’t see Philip well in these shots so cannot comment. I’ll have to go find some pics of him….
(But then I’m such a sucker for the British morning suit — we in the US never use this type of dress for men. Makes me go just a but giddy when I see British men in it! Lol)
I love Charles’s suit. So dapper.
•LAK•
Philip outdid his son! He looks quite dashing in his suit. But even Edward looks good here! And he doesn’t tickle my fancy at all.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2647640/Long-RAIN-Queen-throws-open-doors-Buckingham-Palace-welcoming-8-000-guests-garden-party-heavens-opened.html
Me too, LAK. I think Camilla looks really good as well. Very flattering color on her.
I really love Sophie’s hat! Or is at fascinator? Don’t know but I love it, LOL!!
I think this is it again (or is it a slightly different color) – and I love, love, love it with the outfit!!
http://www.hellomagazine.com/imagenes//royalty/201108095904/sophie-countess-of-wessex-style-fashion-makeover/0-22-697/Sophie-style–z.jpg
Aren’t fascinators defined as only being 5 or 6 inches in diameter at the base? Or is it a ratio that defines them?
That picture of everyone is awesome. Not 1 smile and all looking like they can get down to business.
While I’m not for royalty in general, I have to hand it to QEII, she’s pretty amazing. She’ll never abdicate because she believes in her role and it’s for life. She’s from a different time (no shade).
I haven’t read the William article yet but from the comments it makes me wonder if his attitude is a dire prediction for the future of the BRF in it’s current state. Maybe that’s not a bad thing. When he’s the direct heir people will be even less impressed if he continues to enjoy the perks while shunning the work.
Loved the ceremonial pics when HM opened the parliament. She looked really nice and so did Camilla. I adore the tiaras that they wore.
I love the Queen! She’s so adorable with her umbrella.
HRH reminds me of my late Grandmother. (101)
Every outfit matched, hair was always in place, makeup flawless and NEVER going anywhere without her handbag…..
I just love looking at photos of Queen Elizabeth II.
Nothing the Queen does is done because it’s cute or adorable. This is a Queen that can be cold, ruthless, strong, sharp. Cute and adorable is underestimating a strong lady.
To view her outfits and umbrella as charming parts of her outfits is hardly why she chose the same items for functional use.
You know, that’s a good point, FLORC. I don’t know quite what I think of the Queen on a personal level. In public she’s amazing. In private I don’t think I’d like her. She lets everyone do her dirty work for her which is one of my least personal traits in people. (Not confronting directly but doing an end around sort of thing is what I mean.)
I’m sure her manners are impeccable and she’s a wonderful host. But I don’t think I’d like to work for her especially if she wasn’t happy. I’d quake at the sight of Angela Kelly approaching!
She reminds me of my Grandmother. Hard Catholic and housewife to my Grandfather with a goverment job. They slept in their own twin beds. Had cocktail hour and poker after dinner. Everyone still tells me what a true lady she was and the miles and miles of class she had. My memories are different and though she was loving she would avoid direct conflict. God help you if you mispoke, The awkward silence would last the whole dinner. I think the Queen and my grandmother are cut from the same cloth. I can respect these types of women and love my grandmother, but I don’t have to like them on a personal level.
During her speech one of the page boys fainted. HM gave a cursory glance but didn’t skip a beat. If this is a sweet little old lady I’ll pass. Like FLORC I respect her tremendously but I can’t bring myself to ooh and awe. I love the handbags, admittedly.
That sounds like my image of the queen, FLORC. Pretty much exactly.
She’s very quiet! She’s also been in a number of flaps, so I’d like to hear her angle. Her constitutional position limits her ability to share opinions. I bet she has some great ones!
The thing I have always been curious about… why is so much riding on what William does now.
There is a whole pack of royals… the ones on the payroll… that could be out there doing all the public events too. Hire a legit PR firm and sell the hell out of the whole lot of them. Not just Charles and his boys.
Look at Andrew. Who seems to want to be more involved. Along with his girls. Yet, it has always looked to me… they have been treated like the hick cousins, whom Charles did not want out there doing the high end royal PR events.
Both of those girls went to college. Have lovely manners. And the Queen adores them. Why not drag them into this life of being faces for the Monarch?
If the Firm is so desperate to have a great public presences. Why not recruit every last one of those blood line royals, into the ribbon cutting, kissing the babies… life style? The more the better.
Instead obsessing about who doesn’t want to do it. I am telling you… I would not want to wake up every morning of the rest of life, knowing I was the biggest tourist attraction in England. So I can understand William not wanting to have to do it just yet. Get all those cousins out there and sell them as the next coming… instead!
Hautie
Charles and Andrew don’t get along or so the story goes. Andrew was the favorite son and Charles became bitter. And Andrew screwed up quite a lot. His daughters however are lovely and isn’t Eugenie the Queen’s favorite grandaughter? As they are now both are in steady and modest relationships, college grads, have jobs and donate much of their time and money for their charity work. They are aways doing something and it’s more than just shaking hands.
Charles wants to stream line and keep only his close. Cutting Andrew and those Andrew could benefit by out of the fold.
Although if William and Kate continue to be viewed as so lazy it will hurt his mission.
IMO William gets more pressure now because all resonable excuses have past. He’s over 30, married, with a son, and no longer in the military. He’s taken several courses to prepare him for his uture role yet refuses it still. The Queen’s diamonds are too damn heavy and Charles isn’t getting any younger. Step up or stand aside. Harry could make that throne look damn sexy.
OT, but who’s been watching I Want To Marry Harry? It’s awful trash and those girls are so dumb and loose, but it’s a guilty pleasure. It’s me and gelato texting friends that are watching while my husband shakes his head and reads his Nat Geo. Someone share in my shame
!
See that is the thing that “gets” me. Is that Charles is over 60 and still petty as hell.
If there was a legit PR firm handling them… not people inside the castle so to speak… Charles and Andrew could co-exist. And a legit PR firm would understand how to sell the entire brood of them. And keep Andrew and Charles away from each other.
But I also realize that Charles has been waiting around since 1969 to be “the one”. So he is a little crazy about finally getting to be “the one”. And not about to share the spot light. Willingly. He just never thought it would be 2014… before being handed some of those responsibilities.
Yet, Charles is not one to be judging anyone’s mistakes. A man who so publicly shamed his wife… and ended up marrying the mistress… has no room to take offensive of anyone less than stellar behavior.
And I still think there needs to be an active move to make “stars” of other royals and let them earn their that HRH titles! Queen Granny needs some cash for the upkeep of those castles! 🙂
I’m addicted to RHOBH, so i can’t shame you about your viewing habits.
I know that this won’t be a popular post, but whatever. I just think that if Richard Kay’s Daily Mail article holds any truth about his harsh treatment of staff then I feel horrible for his staff. I think I saw an article on TMZ some years ago about how low the wages were for the Queen’s maids. It was something akin to America’s minimum wage. It was shocking to me as an American because I thought anyone catering to the BRAF were well paid. To be truthful, William does look like he may be short tempered. Then again, I can also understand how annoying and stressful having a bunch of folks advising him and pulling him into a particular direction regarding things that he would like to have control over, intimate things like the planning of his own wedding , could be. On the other hand, he aught to rethink placing the blame on the media because he’s too thin- skinned about the scrutinizing of his wife for her indecent exposure.
Patty Cake
You are correct here. Charles is also rumored to have a temper and is extremely insistent that everyone stand on protocol around him. I do not envy the domestic staff of the RF in the least. There are some youtube videos that look at how the servants have to live.
If it makes you feel better, after the servants/staff leave royal service many move on to very lucrative positions within some of the wealthiest private homes in the world. Serving the RF is sort of a crappy internship, of sorts, lol. But afterwards it gets much better for them. And after a respectable amount of time they get to sell their stories, hopefully.
You’re dead right about wages that people get paid. I just saw an article about how the Queen is advertising for a helicopter pilot and I think the salary is 24,000 pounds a year. Not a lot of money. Maids make substantially less but I think they get room and board.
This line from the article killed me, “It is how he remembers his mother being treated and he is determined neither he, Kate nor George will suffer the same way.’
He’s upset that they are scrutinized while they “work”?? THEN QUIT and get a real job! They are RICH beyond what normal people can ever fathom, largely because of other people’s hard work/taxes/investments! And he’s better than just shaking hands with those same peons? What a joke! That article made me think way less of William. Granted I’m American but I cannot FATHOM being “household staff” and having to curtsey to Kate! Or any of them really! What a joke! GAG!
I’m too late to the show, probably, but did anyone check out the new horse drawn carriage built for the queen that she rode in today? Has wood from Isaac Newton’s apple tree and the Mary Rose (Henry VIII warship that was raised largely intact) in it, along with a bullet from the Battle of Waterloo. Amazing. And she wears that gigantic coronation crown while she reads her speech. That thing weighs a ton.
I would love to see the spectacle of this one day. We missed it by one or two days last year.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2647757/The-Queens-new-palace-wheels-Wood-Newtons-apple-tree-A-bullet-Waterloo-Metal-Dambuster-Unveiled-today-carriage-thats-mobile-museum-history.html
So lovely.