Ma'am, even the most ardent republican like me can see that for the last 70 years you have done your duty by this country. Nobody can argue with that. Now that you are 96, I think most people would agree that you are entitled to put your feet up or go to Horse Shows, or the races, any time you see fit, as long as you are able. Its good that you have passed many duties on to your son. I feel sorry for your son, in a way, ma’am. He is ready to take on the role for which he has spent 74 years preparing, but you seem unwilling to let him do it. It looks like you want just to hand over the bits you think are too much for you but hang on to the real meat of the job – the boxes and so on. Some people might think you didn’t trust your son, ma’am.
I know that you made a promise to serve, and that you think that means you stay Queen until you die. But many members of your extended family around Europe have abdicated from their monarchy, and their countries are benefitting by having a younger, more forward thinking monarch at the helm. Many of us who really care about the future of this country would like to see that. I do wish you’d consider that ma’am.
