Enough with the jubilee already.

I’m a republican but I was happy to see other people on television celebrating and happy. I enjoyed watching the pageant and saw part of the concert. I felt quite proud to be British as I believe we do these things well.

I did exactly that and was perfectly happy.

Grany

Even if you set aside personal opinions about the royal family, or the very notion of monarchy itself, there’s something unsettling about this flag-wielding, trifle-eating agenda being thrust in our faces from all directions. While we’re being told to roll out the bunting and spend the afternoon with neighbours we haven’t interacted with since those 8pm clapping sessions, what is being hidden from sight?

We’re in the middle of a cost of living crisis so profound that every day two million adults cannot afford to eat, people are turning down vegetables at food banks because of the energy cost to cook them and children are becoming ill with food poisoning because their parents are unplugging fridges and freezers at night to save on the electricity bills. The poorest households are being plunged into a level of destitution that looks only to be getting worse, with energy prices set to soar again in the autumn.

When I think about the grotesque, lavish displays of opulence set to fill our screens this weekend, I recoil. Like the obscene images of the Imperial State Crown in its own chauffeur-driven car a few weeks ago, surely there has to be a better way forward, a more equitable, dignified way of living in a nation where hats get their own cars and children starve

It was perfectly possible to stay at home and avoid all the celebrating altogether Grany. I’m sure some people did just that without making a song and dance about it, leaving the millions who did want to celebrate to do so. Food was free at the street party in my town, for all children and over 75s, the entertainment was free to watch (and not paid for by the council) and less well off families enjoyed themselves just as much as others. I’m sure that was the case in thousands of other towns too.
We all have the right to celebrate in the way we want to provided it doesn’t harm anybody else - even if in this case the sensibilities of republicans were offended because far more people were celebrating than I’m sure you would have preferred.

Does anyone feel they were forced to watch these ‘lavish displays’?
We went to, or were involved in the organisation of several gatherings over the bank holidays, funded by the people who chose to set them up.
We didn’t feel we were obliged to watch them and no one I spoke to, including parents from some of the poorest families at our school who came to the festivities, felt the jubilee shouldn’t have taken place.

Having said that, I do have qualms about mentioning our recent holiday or what I’m buying DGC for birthdays or Christmas when I think the money could well go to some of the families below the poverty line, especially since some of my somewhat limited income is from inheritance.

And we who are not wealthy look on at parts of the world where poverty & hunger is ever worsening . What to do ?
How would we achieve equality for all? ?

Even if you set aside personal opinions about the royal family, or the very notion of monarchy itself, there’s something unsettling about this flag-wielding, trifle-eating agenda being thrust in our faces from all directions. While we’re being told to roll out the bunting and spend the afternoon with neighbours we haven’t interacted with since those 8pm clapping sessions, what is being hidden from sight?

We’re in the middle of a cost of living crisis so profound that every day two million adults cannot afford to eat, people are turning down vegetables at food banks because of the energy cost to cook them and children are becoming ill with food poisoning because their parents are unplugging fridges and freezers at night to save on the electricity bills. The poorest households are being plunged into a level of destitution that looks only to be getting worse, with energy prices set to soar again in the autumn.

When I think about the grotesque, lavish displays of opulence set to fill our screens this weekend, I recoil. Like the obscene images of the Imperial State Crown in its own chauffeur-driven car a few weeks ago, surely there has to be a better way forward, a more equitable, dignified way of living in a nation where hats get their own cars and children starve

BlueSky

Dickens whether Camilla is accepted or not won't make any difference, she’s here to stay as Queen Consort.

Quite.

I was just looking at some of the media's probable focus of attention. Which might make a difference to the way it reports on Charles' accession and what he does (or doesn't) do.

Yes, saw that.

And?

www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/prince-wales-left-royal-navy-2872051

Yes, but Charles isn't King (yet)

What you said was correct, Anniebach

Alexandra, Mary, Queen mother were Queen consort

Because her MIL is still alive?

Callistemon21

Anniebach

Camilla is The Princess of Wales

Yes, very odd to call her the Queen Consort!!

Why is that odd? The late Queen Mother was Queen Consort.

I have no idea what Charles did or didn't do?
presume

So why repeat assumptions online?
[cofused]

Callistemon21

Riverwalk

Nothing to do with respect - I'm sure Charles was a nicer colleague than Andrew. I'm talking about naval skills and the ability to take command.

And not forgetting that Andrew saw active service in The Falklands - pity he then followed a different path.

I presume you have first-hand knowledge.

Why would you presume that - I've already said that I have no idea what Charles did or didn't do?

But I do presume that if he had greater skills he would have gone on to command major vessels and had a longer naval career.

Charles was a decent and amiable bloke apparently, Andrew very arrogant. But husband always maintains that Andrew would have been decorated for gallantry for his Falklands service were he not a Royal.

Anniebach

Camilla is The Princess of Wales

Yes, very odd to call her the Queen Consort!!

Camilla is The Princess of Wales

Riverwalk

Nothing to do with respect - I'm sure Charles was a nicer colleague than Andrew. I'm talking about naval skills and the ability to take command.

And not forgetting that Andrew saw active service in The Falklands - pity he then followed a different path.

I presume you have first-hand knowledge.

Nothing to do with respect - I'm sure Charles was a nicer colleague than Andrew. I'm talking about naval skills and the ability to take command.

And not forgetting that Andrew saw active service in The Falklands - pity he then followed a different path.

I do remember reading many decades ago that his RN career came to an early end simply because he wasn't up to it, compared to his fellow officers.

Don't believe everything you read.

Knowing someone who served with him (and with Andrew) I know which one he respected.

Dickens whether Camilla is accepted or not won't make any difference, she’s here to stay as Queen Consort.

I've no idea what Charles did or didn't do in the Royal Navy and have no insider knowledge.

I do remember reading many decades ago that his RN career came to an early end simply because he wasn't up to it, compared to his fellow officers.

It must take great skill and intelligence to command a warship so the powers that be can't just put anyone in command, and it wouldn't look good for Charles to be in a lowlier position than his contemporaries.

Heading charities, opening hospitals, starting the Prince's Trust etc. suits him and his abilities.

volver

In an odd move for a committed Republican I think that Charles could be the breath of fresh air the Monarchy needs. We know what he's like because he has had opinions on a lot of things, and talks about them. He won't be subject to the fawning attention from the "because he's been around all my life" brigade.

I seem to remember reading that there wasn't much enthusiasm for Edward VII after Victoria's long reign, but he was a pretty good King and the Edwardian era, although short, was quite lively and forward thinking.

Come on Charles, show us what you're made of. He'll have to dump the over the top uniforms, though.

With Charles, comes the Duchess of Cornwall. 'Queen Consort' - I'm not totally up on this, but I believe that's what she'll be called?

... and that opens a whole other can of worms doesn't it? I'm not going to voice an opinion - but there are plenty of people who will... she is really despised by some individuals who will not accept her as 'Queen'-anything!

More grist for the mill of the tabloid press who will pen endless articles on seemingly innocuous things - like "Camilla 'wows' in stunning new hat" or some such ridiculous headline, knowing full well that it will attract a storm of readers' comments both for and against the woman. And keep the circulation figures up, naturally. Along with the Harry & Meghan soap opera, the Camilla / Diana / Charles affair will ensure that the red tops retain their distribution.

And that's a shame, because it will overshadow information on Charles' attempts at modernising the RF, something that is more important to a lot of people.

Was it the North Sea? It's very shallow.