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A Very Un-British Feeling
I’m proud of my country. Not in the Michelle Obama “first-time” sense, but one which, for once, I’m comfortable “sharing” (as the abominable Markle might put it).
My Lord, so many flag wavers. You’d think the country had turned “American” all of a sudden. Loved it, from the Horse Guards, to the Trooping the Colour, to the St. Paul’s service, to the “Party at the Palace,” and the grand finale of the pageant today. Cheesy, some of it? Certainly. Heartfelt? Definitely.
Not to mention the Paddington Bear skit. Can’t help thinking that stand-up comedy lost a master of comedic timing and delivery the moment Elizabeth inherited the throne:
Would that the 17-years-younger President of the United States were able to remember his lines and deliver them so perfectly, even with the aid of a TelePrompTer and when faced with real opposition, adversaries, or interlocutors. Never mind in a situation where he’s dealing with an imaginary green-screened CGI puppet. (At one point in today’s pageant, a hologram of 26-year-old Elizabeth appeared inside the gold Coronation State Coach. Just a thought, Joe Biden’s handlers, just a thought….).
At the risk of triggering all you anti-monarchical folks (you know who you are–and I probably do too), I stand with Mark Steyn, who comes firmly down on the side of a constitutional monarchy as an excellent form of government. In a recent conversation, Mark commented on the difference between the Royal Family (THE royal family) and the US President, pointing out that the Queen (THE queen) got stuck in traffic (because no special arrangements are made for the monarch’s travel), and arrived late on her way to Buckingham Palace the other day, remarking that such a thing would never happen in the United States because–prior to the President’s appearance at any local event–all the roads would be closed for his 45-85 car motorcade, and the citizens of the republic would simply have to deal with the indignity of their own needs counting for nothing while their betters sailed along.
Can’t argue with that. ‘Cause he’s right.
Plus. And (as the late Mr. She might have said): The entire Jubilee spectacle was a massive middle-finger-in-the-eye to the Covid hysterics.
So, there’s that. God Save the Queen!
PS: Full disclosure: Mum and Dad met the Queen and Philip on their 1956 tour of Nigeria. Dad’s favorite recollection is that of the Queen (THE queen), after a very long day, kicking back in a lounge chair in the Kaduna Catering Rest House, closing her eyes, and announcing “Cor, it’s nice to put yer pins up.” (Translation: “Lord, it is lovely to put one’s feet up on an elevated platform after such a day.”)
Haven’t we all felt that way, at least once in our lives?
Published in General
We, too, have been enjoying the Jubilee: Elizabeth II puts the “majesty” in “Her Majesty!”
I remember seeing an interview with Tony Blair where recounted his first visit to the Palace as Prime Minister. The Queen said to him, to the effect, “You are my 10th Prime Minister. My first was Sir Winston Churchill.” (No pressure.) In the presence of such historical-greatness, Blair said he felt more like a school-boy than powerful pol.
Have you seen this video, She? I think you’ll enjoy it.
We’ve been watching, too. She is the very model of servant leadership. Born to the role, in every conceivable way. Sadly, Britain will not see her like again. God save the Queen!
Prince William hit the jackpot (unlike his brother). That’s all I got.
I have loved every second of whatever the Royal Channel posts about this celebration.
Hear, hear!
Agree. Even when he’s presenting a message I might not be completely on board with, he’s masterful. His sad father is painful to watch. And his brother is non-existent.
The future belongs to those who show up. William and Kate–10/10. Charles and Camilla–7/10. Harry and what’s-her-name–not-s0-much.
Wait, you give Camilla a 10?
I am an American, and republican to my bones. Yet I’ve always had a soft spot for Her Majesty and the British Crown. (Might come from my father’s family, who were Canadian and thus subjects of His Canadian Majesty George V.) She’s been a model of service and sacrifice. Every family experiences pain, but to have to carry on under the eyes of millions requires a strength I can’t imagine. Add to this that she seems to be an “old-school,” faithful Christian even in face of the modern Anglican Church. I hope that her family has learned the appropriate lessons from the life of Elizabeth II.
I gave Charles and Camilla a 7 out of 10. He’s clearly a nitwit, and not nearly as smart as either of his wives. Or his mother. Still, you have to dance with the one what brung you, and in a hereditary monarchy, we’re stuck with him. (Some might say that the Queen Mother “made” Bertie in much the same way that Camilla has supported Charles.)
I know only (from personal experience) that it’s possible for the ‘wicked stepmother’ to redeem herself and find not only forgiveness, but also rational purpose in the life of her family going forward. Camilla has spent the last 20 years keeping her mouth shut and supporting her man. That’s not a completely bad thing.
What a magnificent lady, and deserving of all the accolades.
I remember a story about her meeting comedian Alan King at a reception. She said to him something like “Good evening, Mr. King”, and he replied “Good evening, Mrs. Queen”.
I saw her once, from afar. She and Philip visited Seattle Children’s Hospital when I was a pharmacy technician there. I stood at the outpatient window (which was flanked by two Secret Service agents), and watched them walk by on their way to visit patients. I was surprised by how short she was, but regal in every way.
Yes. I’ve only seen her from afar myself. A tiny lady, but with incredible presence.
I am an Elizabeth fan as well. I recall reading a story from early in her reign about her hosting a visit from a member of the Saudi Royal Family. They wanted Elizabeth to take him on a tour of the grounds of Balmoral. She insisted on driving the Land Rover herself. (A giant f-you to the customs of her guest where women were not allowed to drive.) She had driven trucks during WW2 and apparently was quite good at it. So she took her guest on a white-knuckle drive around the grounds. While not an unpleasant word was spoken, her point was made. Good for her.
Against the wishes of Mum and Dad (George VI and Queen Elizabeth) she joined the army (Womens Auxiliary Territorial Service) and trained as a truck drive and mechanic in WWII. That’s when she learned to drive. In the decades since, there have been a number of stories of her getting ‘under the hood’ in the event of automobile problems, and sorting things out.
What could Sussex have possibly done to deserve those two snowflakes?
Well, as Mr. She used to say, “everybody has to be somewhere.” And I guess Sussex lost the lottery.
https://ricochet.com/groups/the-monarchist-league-of-ricochet/
It doesn’t make me any less of a patriotic Yank to express how much I admire the Queen.
I studied at Southampton University in the late Sixties in a high school exchange program. I remember being with the group in a pub in London, where our waiter had the perfect Cockney accent. He asked a lady sitting at the table next to us, “Might I h’intrest you in a glass of Beau Jealous?”
I will lift a glass of Beau Jealous in honor of Elizabeth.
https://rushbabe49.com/2015/11/18/photo-essay-university-of-cambridge-summer-1991/
Today
Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee
MARKED SAFE FROM
The Markles
Queen Elizabeth II and Winston Churchill are the best people to represent all that is good about the English. Because of her, I’ve always thought a constitutional monarchy is the best form of government as she wisely manages to stay above politics while maintaining her role as head of state and adviser to prime ministers. She is, without a doubt, the most prestigious person in the world.
Yes!
OK. I have signed up. Heaven help you all.
We can take it. Give us your best shot.
In fairness, Biden seems pretty comfortable dealing with imaginary people too.
LOL Let me know when you see the Queen (THE queen) in a serious moment trying to shake hands with someone who isn’t there…
My grandfather fought in IRA during the Irish war for independence, and I am American through and through. Yet I support the monarchy for England, admire the Queen and hope the crown will pass directly to William, who seems like a decent and reasonably normal fellow with a lovely wife. Monarchy is not suited to America. In Ireland, every man is king of 3 rocks and 5 sheep, so it wont work there. But I think Britain would be immeasurably worse off without the moderating influence of the Queen over the past 70 years.
For those who are wondering, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland all have “devolved” Parliaments devoted to the interests of their own peoples, and with their own powers to make and enforce laws exclusive to their tribes.
The only component of the United Kingdom which does not have such a specifically directed governing body focusing exclusively on the interest of its own people is:
England….
It’s unfortunate that the American Revolution is so often framed as a struggle between democracy and monarchy. In reality it originated in a power struggle between Parliament and the colonial legislatures. The American cause is best summed up in the slogan “no taxation without representation” — since the Americans were not represented in Parliament, it lacked the authority to tax them. The first few Continental Congresses stressed their loyalty to the King and in fact petitioned him for relief from the abuses of Parliament.
Monarchist League? They don’t have the designated hitter too, do they?
Supposedly Peter Sellars was seated behind her in the theater at a movie premier, and as the lights went down at the start of the film, he leaned forward and said “Hey Lady, would you mind taking off the crown?”