Abdication?

I think it's extremely unlikely the queen would abdicate-she certainly seems sincere in her commitment and has fulfilled the promise she made in her youth that's for sure.
But it's different times now. We cannot continue to support this unelected and unaccountable family in such extravagant wealth-surely that's offensive to most folks? To see all the hangers on in expensive clothes which they haven't bought with their own money-only money that comes from us while our services are being cut left and right and centre sits very uncomfortable with me. I am very patriotic but not a supporter of this nonsense.
We can still have our wonderful military putting on the fantastic displays they do in any event.

Gagagran, how about working as their grandparents , father and aunt did and does.

I wish a happy family life for all, I don't see this as something deserved , deserved seems like a reward

I do think they are lazy and probably fund royal duties boring, but that's the job, like all jobs a mixed bag

You still haven't said what you think William should do to "start working for the country" Annie. Of course they deserve a happy family life as I would wish for any young family. Do you not wish that too?

"MEE-OWW" Anniebach, it's not there fault that they are born royals!!!!

They are not boys, they are men. William works part time for air ambulance . He is not the only one to have a parent die . Why do they deserve a happy family life? no different to anyone surely, they don't deserve it, a happy family life isn't an award bestowed on a few . I am thankful he hasn't inherited his mother's obsession with getting on the front page of every newspaper and magazine

What Gagagran and niggley said

What exactly do you think William should do to "start working for the country" Annie? He was in the forces, he served as an RAF search and rescue pilot and now he works shifts as an air ambulance pilot. He appears "on parade" as a member of the Royal Family as required by HM the Queen and in addition seems to be a devoted husband and father. Given what happened to his Mother, who can blame him for keeping a low profile and what privacy he can, whilst he can.

I am sure that HM, in her wisdom knows that William needs to enjoy these years of relative freedom, before his future duties as Prince of Wales then King take over his life. She and Prince Philip had those brief years in Malta before her fate overtook her and she knows what lies ahead for William and his family. I think we are fortunate to have such an example of a loving and happy young family and I hope Prince Harry can achieve the same for himself. Those two boys deserve that.

Williams problem is he needs to grow up and accept he cannot have it all , either accepts his role as a future head of state and starts working for the country now or opt out and live the life of the country set , give up Kensington Palace, pay for his own security , same with Harry , both need to grow up.

I am so against adultery but Camilla was married to a womaniser and Charles married to a very damaged, neurotic , self centred woman , little wonder they renewed their friendship .

Well said, niggly! My sentiments, too.

How Charles and Camilla behaved, as you put it Newquay was no different to the way three-quarters of the population behave! Diana was no saint, the marriage failed as do so many, Charles found happiness elsewhere, as do most people, so what?!
Some people may want dreary colourless head of state driving around in a bullet proof car, but many more people don't; the cheering flag waving crowds will tell you that! Whatever any one thinks, pulling in the crowds = pulling in the money! Other heads of state don't come close. I for one love the pageantry, the marching soldiers, the horses, in fact the whole shooting match! As for William. Edward V11th who behaved so badly as PoW, turned into one of the best monarchs this country has ever had, so don't be so judgemental. He is clearly a devoted husband and father, takes little or nothing from the privy purse, and, how he conducts his future is the business of the family.

Her actual birthday was 21st April. My mother always used to tell me that if I'd hung on for another 24 hours I would have been born on the queen's birthday. On the other hand, if she'd been born 24 hours earlier, she would have been born on Hitler's birthday. I wonder if that would have altered anyone's perception of her.

As on another thread the queen and hubby are to be greatly admired doing what they do at their ages-not many folks their age can be that spritely. Was greatly relieved to see that hand rail that's for sure but it really is time to get rid of this unelected and unaccountable lot.
I'm sick of hearing the cost of their dresses and shoes while so many others struggle. If we had an elected head of state at least we could get rid of them if they prove to be hopeless-imagine someone like Andrew or Edward in charge!
The thought of Charles and Camilla lording it over us after the way they behaved is scandalous.
And William seems to want to live the life of a rich country gent-that's fine if he pays for it all out of his own earnings like the rest of us have to do.

Russell Grant once said that Charles would never be king. I'm not a huge fan of RG or of psychics, but that has stuck with me. I was feeding one of my babies at the time with the TV on for company, so it must have been back in the early 80s.

Yes, long live the Queen! Of course Charles should be the next king - we've paid out a lot of money to have him trained in how to do it.

Well said nigglynellie my sentiments exactly. Also agree with Jalima about the abdication of her Uncle. I am a Royalist and would not like to see a Presidential system in UK least of all a European President.

Hear hear nellie
Stalwart, dependable and dedicated

The Queen's fantastic, she makes me proud to be British, and the word abdication is not in her vocabulary. Her dedication to duty is truly amazing and any suggestion that she is being trotted out or somehow tottery and past it is just insulting and patronising. I think the warmth and affection of the enormous crowds on the Mall today speaks volumes. I do however agree that she does rely a great deal on Prince Phillips support, and his loss would affect her very much.

Merlot, purely personal opinion.

If Charles and Ann want their children to live a much freer life than they did then fair enough but they should also not expect the same life styles for them. They are either in or out , cannot have it all

Noted re 'HM', thanks.

The thing that worries me about Charles is that I'm not sure his sticking his oar in would be to no avail.

Much as I admire HMtheQ (albeit rather in a non-royalist kinda way) I think she should abdicate, yes.

Charles would make a decent King, if we MUST have one.

I don't think William has the sense of duty necessary for the task.

HM not HRH!! as merlot pointed out

Yes I agree anniebach, Charles should be King - William has a long, long way to go yet.
Of course, we could be talking about 15 or even 20 years' time

William as King? He would have to work,

Charles has the same sense of duty as queenie and he is next in line . I am sure the media want William not Charles , youth reigns

Makes no odds who is on the throne ( maybe that should have a capital T ?) It still is a pageant not a job where you can do anything . Obama found it very hard to get anything done , HRH is just a figurehead and can't get any legislation on the agenda . As a great pageant and tourist attraction she is doing a great job , Charles would be equally interesting as he tries to put his oar in to no avail

Why would William make a better king than Charles?