The Queen and dedication to duty in the 21st Century

The Queen can trace back to medieval times. Yes it is true that she traces back to James V1th and 1st, back through to James 1Vth. His wife was Margaret Tudor, Henry V111th sister, her mother was Elizabeth of York, father Edward 1Vth , (war of the roses) back through to Edward 111rd, female line and so on, back to the Conquerer .
Of course you can stay Queen whether you fire on all four cylinders or only one , George 111rd certainly did as did Victoria she they became elderly. Just because you are old doesn't mean you cease to be who you are! Who would make that judgement?

When the Queen has dropped off the perch and Charles takes over I think the monarch will drop down the popularity charts. A visit from Charles in a suit will be much less newsworthy than the Queen who I admire most for her always wearing bright blocky colours and standing out in a crowd.

The Queen and Prince Phillip were by far my favourite characters in The Crown!

Some of her duties are now shared out, Alegrias, so I’m not sure we can split the crown so everyone has one! I assume she still has oversight of what they do on her behalf. She’s only 18mths older than my mum and if she’s anything like my mum, no one will get anything past her. In fact, my mum could job-share with her, although mum’s not so good at holding back on her opinions as the Queen.

readalot

Because they can't afford to stop

That's just daft!!
?

Whitewavemark2 *
Quote She certainly believes she is God's anointed. ??
Or in the words of Carly Simon ?*Nobody does it better*
Elizabeth 11 will in my opinion be a hard act to follow

she could join the local WI (I believe she is Patron)

She is a WI member and goes to meetings AlanaV.
I'm sure away from Royal duties and cameras she has managed to live a normal life- the one she would have liked to live full-time were it not for her dedication to her duty.

She has already relinquished most of her duties and will relinquish more.
There is an Act called The Regency Act which could be brought in.

Because they can't afford to stop

I'm sure I have read lots of reports of how proud George V1 was of his daughter - her efforts during the war, her marriage, her trips abroad on his behalf etc. That kind of prepared the way for Elizabeth to take over as Queen and made people feel in safe hands.
Maybe the Queen herself has been less vocal in praising her first born son and has not elevated him enough to the position he is about to take on. Unintentionally she herself has opened the gates to more questioning about the future of the monarchy and its protagonists. I'm not so sure it is because she wants to protect Charles from criticism, but I do find it a bit strange.

Can I just draw attention to the second question in my OP?

Why can a person stay in post, with all the deference that entails, when someone else is doing all the "work"?

Several posters have said that other royals will take over some of her duties as she ages. I am asking if it is right to continue as Queen if you can't carry out the requirements of the post any more.

So that's not ageist, its about whether she should still be Queen if she can't do the job. Some people think that's OK, and that's a perfectly acceptable opinion.

Like Galaxy says, we're allowed to question things, it's not a fascist state we live in.

We grew up with the young Queen and her husband.
Today's young people would like to do the same and want William on the throne. They view Charles as they do their grandfathers- an old man.
Also, there are a great many middle-aged people who haven't forgotten Charles treatment towards Diana and her untimely death.
I think the Queen should stay on the throne. She is very popular.

I'm not by any means a royalist, though I think they do pay their way via bringing Tourism to Britain, but I do think if we're going to accept a monarchy, we have absolutely no right to pick & choose when the Queen retires whilst she is of sound mind and in good health. I bet any Grasnsnetter would find it utterly impertinent and insulting if some random memeber of the public told them they were no longer able to work because of their age. In fact just a few years ago we had legislation brought in to tackle this very problem of ageism. And that's what you're all discussing. Ageism.

It is up to her majesty to decide, she is well respected and most of us care about her. Her husband in barely in his cript

Yes, our Queen does believe in the divine right of Kings (or Queens) misguided or not, she is entitled to her beliefs. As far as she is concerned she made a vow before God at there coronation and she intends to keep it. What an example to those of us who only keep a vow (or promise) as long as it suits us. Let's hope she shifts over a bit though and gives Charles the reins if not the Crown for a few years - if that's what he wants. Who knows ?? He's not too good at keeping vows now is he ?

Surely you can liken the Monarch to a parent - it’s not a job it’s a life committed to executing your loyalty your people and your country. When do you “retire” from being a parent??

I think questioning anything is seen as having no respect. I find that view terrifying as I have said.

Reading the list of the Royals engagements they aren’t exactly overworked are they ? Even the ones at the top of the list have plenty of spare days. As they all have staff and lots of help with housework, childcare, cooking and getting around there must be a lot of time when there are no demands on their time at all. I am quite pleased that we have our royal family but they are very indulged and far removed from the general public. I think there are far too many of them and definitely fat too many homes and palaces.

Perhaps she wants to hold on as long as possible in order that her family will not have to take up the mantle and be subjected to the public criticism for so may years. If she makes it to 100 then Charles will be 79. Even he may think twice about stepping up at that age. Natural demise of the monarchy perhaps

My own view is she should have retired long ago. Charles is a man with no proper job but was brought up to be a king. I think there should be a retirement age for the Queen, the people in house of lords etc. Just so others get a chance to shine (or not) too.

I do admire the Queen ...and especially her devotion to duty which she declared she would devote her life to, be it long or short BUT there must come a time, surely when she would like to be like most ordinary people and retire .....even with hairdressers, make up artists, clothes designers, dressers, maids and servants having to go to functions all the time must be somewhat tedious ...she can't just go and sit in the garden, she can never just pop to a shop or do anything we can ...she could join the local WI (I believe she is Patron), just live a very comfortable life and do as she pleases ...she has earned the respect of most of the British people and some of the Commonwealth ....not sure what P Charles would be like as King, but at the same age as me, I know a job as Queen would not be what I wanted at this age....I did read on here that she could claim her pension ha ha ...luckily she is one pensioner not in a position to need it, or worry about heating or paying the TV licence !! but yes, I DO think she should retire and live the rest of her long life in comfort ......

I think the Queen is still doing a very good job of it. I really feel for her now her rock has gone.
I sincerely hope she keeps her role until the end.
I dread Charles taking over when she has gone. I think he is a self centred person with a lot of daft ideas. I rather hope he passes it straight on to William & take a back seat but he won't.

sorry not wee

i think the queen should keep calm and carry on as that is what prince phillip would do .but i think she should let the other royals do a bit more .i like sophie prince edwards wife she would make a great right hand person . i think she should be her guide when and if she does visits .if she didnt do anything she would go mad ..if she feels able to be our queen then so be it . i dont care what other countries say . wee love our queen and all that she does.

Cymres1

I'm not a Royalist, but I do think some of the posts have shown little respect for a woman who has dedicated her whole life to her country and the Commonwealth. She is dropping back gradually and gracefully, she's of extremely sharp mind and in better shape than me, 30+years her junior. Let her decide, it's not a matter for anyone else, but she has my utmost respect as a strong older woman above everything else, and has weathered many storms. Despite the media I doubt we will ever know just how much she has done for this country. So much has come to light about her husband's groundbreaking conservation, environmental and youth promotional activities since he died that nobody realised, I imagine she will have played a part in world peace that cannot be spoken about. We're lucky to have her, so let her make her own decisions without being ageist, sexist or knowing only media governed fragments of her real story.

Good post Cymres1, very reasonable and sensible.

Spain - Juan Carlos abdicated in 2014.

Belgium - Albert II abdicated in 2013.

But they're foreign so obviously we don't have to behave like them.