The Queen and dedication to duty in the 21st Century

I can remember when I was at school having to write an essay on "The Queen reigns but does not rule" which says it all really.
Over the last few years, she has been handing more and more things over to Prince Charles- she no no longer travels overseas - and I would guess that Prince William will or is taking on more as well, the Earl of Wessex and his wife , along with the Princess Royal also do a lot that you rarely hear about.
As long as she is in relatively good health, she made a promise at her coronation and I think she will keep that promise.

The Queen dedicated her life to her country. She will never abdicate and I would not want her to. She still does a lot of 'office's work and she does still do s lot of the duties done in the past. She would hold her arms up in horror if she read some of the things written on here. Let her carry on with the job. I have great respect for her....

Davsgril

I feel it is somewhat ironic that a lot of ‘old ‘ people are telling another ‘old’ person that she is past it and not able to do the job she has dedicated her life to. That of supporting our nation to the best of her ability. This at a time when she is probably at her lowest ebb and needs a little support herself.

This is true. Granted the Queen being 95 today is pretty old, if there was a thread started about a GN’er being forced out of their job because they were getting on, there would be a righteous debate on here and the vast majority would be saying “How dare they!” and ‘It’s your right to carry on if you want to” etc, etc.

Agree Davsgril , women wanting a woman to give up her job because of her age

Our queen is amazing!

I don’t think she will abdicate ever as her family were pretty disgusted with her uncle having done so, but Charles (and he probably already is) should take on the bulk of her duties now.

Also what she’s going through with the loss of her beloved Phillip she will want to be busy.

I am a royalist and love the tradition and pride that they give us. Unfortunately there are some black sheep in every family but we all love a bit of intrigue and gossip don’t we!

I think one particular American much better!

runnerbean

I think one particular American much better!

What does that sentence mean ?

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.

Serious question, where are the posts showing little respect?

In the Netherlands it is customary for the monarch to abdicate at an age that corresponds to retirement age, but this is the only country that has this custom.

Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Belgium and Spain are all constituational monacharies like Britain and in all these countries the monarch remains en poste until death.

So why should Britain suddenly change?

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.

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.

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.

sorry not wee

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.

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 ......

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.

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

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.

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

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??

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 ?

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

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.

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.