The Queen.

But Elegran, we're not talking about being head of a family, she can do that, of course.

We're talking about a person who is our Head of State, who is top of the tree in a country that is riven by division, where she has done nothing to help. Or if she has we're not talking about it because its pointless.

I think the country is unaware of what Heads of State are actually for and think that because they are nice old folks who have lived long time, that's enough.

I don’t recall a post which says she needs to keep in post volver. Some posters have said she needs to retire, others have said they understand why she won’t do that. Some have said they value her. Nobody has told her to keep going as far as I know and I rather doubt she seeks the counsel of GN anyway. Enjoy your shopping!

I rather doubt she seeks the counsel of GN

I rather doubt she seeks the counsel of anyone, really, when it comes to staying on.

She didn't chose to be queen but she could have walked away like her Uncle. No-one would have chopped her head off.

Queen Margaret instead? I’m glad that didn’t happen.

I’m afraid I have to wade in here. I believe that volver and vegansrock are right. I certainly don’t believe that any monarch has a divine right to be monarch. A promise made to God, or the people, or whatever you believe in does not have to apply till death. It’s perfectly reasonable for a monarch to retire. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. It’s a actually being discussed on Jeremy Vine now. Apparently it’s been announced that her diary is to be reviewed and what that means is that some things she can no longer do. Kevin McGuire is speaking and he sums it up perfectly for me. The other guests can’t praise her enough and keep parroting how hard she works. As the current speaker says (member of the public) she’s had a dutiful life but she’s been extremely well provided for in return. She’s speaking about Prince Charles who has not had the best life. As KM says Charles will not have the same devotion from the public because in part it has been denied to him because she can’t fulfill her duties but won’t retire. Other monarchs retire, why not her. Personally I think it’s self important and arrogant. I realise I’ve opened the floodgates now, but please stay polite as you slate me.

Certain posters aren't the slightest bit interested in learning what the Queen has done for them, or anyone else.

Their objective in this particular thread is to disdain and demean what some people value and hold dear, one of which is the concept of duty.

No need to agree with it, but the constant sneering and jeering and ridicule aimed at some posters' beliefs, and also the Queen, is unnecessarily unpleasant.

volver

But Elegran, we're not talking about being head of a family, she can do that, of course.

We're talking about a person who is our Head of State, who is top of the tree in a country that is riven by division, where she has done nothing to help. Or if she has we're not talking about it because its pointless.

I think the country is unaware of what Heads of State are actually for and think that because they are nice old folks who have lived long time, that's enough.

Agree!

Honouring a promise is not being self important or arrogant.

eazybee

Certain posters aren't the slightest bit interested in learning what the Queen has done for them, or anyone else.

Their objective in this particular thread is to disdain and demean what some people value and hold dear, one of which is the concept of duty.

No need to agree with it, but the constant sneering and jeering and ridicule aimed at some posters' beliefs, and also the Queen, is unnecessarily unpleasant.

Very well said eazybee.

Its not sneering and jeering to question what is meant by "duty and service" - can you do this if you are physically incapacitated? Basically she just has to stay alive to be queen, she doesn't have to do anything.

I don’t think there has been any jeering, sneering or ridicule in this thread. There is difference of opinion, that’s all.

CoolCoco

Its not sneering and jeering to question what is meant by "duty and service" - can you do this if you are physically incapacitated? Basically she just has to stay alive to be queen, she doesn't have to do anything.

Yes, that’s right.

Certain posters aren’t the least bit interested in learning what the Queen has done for
them.

What has the Queen done for me?

maddyone

^Certain posters aren’t the least bit interested in learning what the Queen has done for^
them.

What has the Queen done for me?

I've asked that several times on this thread Maddyone, in several different ways, but nobody will tell me.

So it's a bit rich when someone says we don't want to know.

It's a bit like the benefits of Brexit.

Germanshepherdsmum

Queen Margaret instead? I’m glad that didn’t happen.

Well Charles had been born by the time she became Queen, so if she'd abdicated then it would have been Charles and a Regent. Probably some duke you've never heard of.

But if she had walked away earlier, it would have been Margaret. Don't like that? Well it's a hereditary monarchy. You don't get a choice.

The Queen once said 'I have to be seen to be believed'. I think that now, in view of her failing health, is the time for her to make Charles Prince Regent.
That way she could keep her vow, that seems to be important to her, but hand over the responsibilities of the monarchy to her son. She would still die as Queen.

Maybe she is planning to do just that, but waiting until after the Jubilee. It is human nature to want to reach a deadline, and I don't think anyone would grudge her that.

Or perhaps some would?

Great post eazybee. The Queen made an oath to God, who she believes in and means to honour that oath; what's wrong with that?

maddy I accept atheists can’t and will not accept or understand what a vow made to God means to a Christian who
makes a vow. Keeping a vow is not easy and it is certainly not fear which could make a Christian keep their vows. I know it can be difficult for many.

Kevin Maguire is a republican so it’s understandable that republicans agree with him

Anniebach

Kevin Maguire is a republican so it’s understandable that republicans agree with him

Well d'oh.

Anniebach

maddy I accept atheists can’t and will not accept or understand what a vow made to God means to a Christian who
makes a vow. Keeping a vow is not easy and it is certainly not fear which could make a Christian keep their vows. I know it can be difficult for many.

If the majority of people in this country wanted her to retire/abdicate, should she stay Queen because she promised God?

Of course I don't know what the majority think, but it's interesting to think about.

No Elegran you should tell them that the only person who counts is them.Not you or your kids ,if they feel its time to go then let them go with good grace .Its not signing off its its being a grown up and seeing that life is so difficult for them they need to let go.
Yes I have told two much moved relatives that if they felt it was time to give up the struggle then they must let go.Broke my heart but its what needed to be said.We shouldn't EVER guilt trip any old person in living in pain or lonliness just because WE think they should and the queen is no different .

Either way, PaddyAne they are the ones who should decide to stay or to go.

All the time that the Queen's mental state is such that she can make a rational choice of whether to abdicate the role she vowed to hold all her life, then she is the person to decide it. The Prince of Wales is ready to take over, and has in fact been doing some of the things that his mother used to do. If she is ready to hand over more to him without totally retiring, that is between them. If she wants to give up her role completely, that again is between them.