What a surprise, Harry’s not coming.

I for one do not begrudge Her Majesty this gradual retirement if that is what is best for her.

Neither do I GG13.

Remind me what a Hereditary Head of State is for again, if someone else can do all the work?

I think that she is handing over more and more responsibilities and duties to Prince Charles, Prince William and the other working Royals.

She has had face to face meetings over the last week or so including Mr,Trudeau, perhaps she will now just meet people at Windsor?

I for one do not begrudge Her Majesty this gradual retirement if that is what is best for her.

The Queen is the Head of State. There are responsibilities that come with being Head of State. If a person is so old, or infirm, that they can no longer get out of a car or sit in a church, it is my personal opinion that they are not fulfilling the role of head of state. Irrespective of how long they have lived, or the service they have already given, a person should be self aware enough to realise that they are no longer capable of giving the service to the nation that they always have, and that perhaps its time to pass those responsibilities on to a person who is better able to perform them.

But with a hereditary monarchy with a strong objection to abdication, you get what you're given.

Monarchists want this woman to have the title and role of Head of State until she dies (sorry, distasteful).

I'd rather we had somebody as Head of State who is able to perform the duties that role encompasses. I do not feel that I am the one who is being disrespectful to a person who has devoted their life to fulfilling a role that we expect of her, its the people who think she's got to stay there till she dies that are asking too much of her.

I'm suggesting that if the Queen does not feel well enough to perform duties then you should not expect her to be wheeled out and carry on as before. I didn't mention her demise, not sure what you're referring to.

You're not suggesting she retires are you?

It's not me who wants her to stay in post till she.....

well I don't think its very nice to talk about the demise of anybody, let alone an old lady.

volver

Can you imagine how positive an image it would give if a HoS could be shown to still be fulfilling her duties whilst in a wheelchair?

Can you imagine the boost that would give to the perception of people who use wheelchairs?

But no, an image of perfection must be maintained at all times.

For goodness sake, the Queen is 95 years old and may be in pain or suffering from something else we don't know about. You expect too much. She has given 70 years of service, is that not enough for you?

Thank you Maddy yes you watched your daughter going through the nightmare. I brought it up because not having children and grandchildren does cause it difficult to understand the depth of love a mother has for her child/children ,just as a single woman couldn’t really understand married life. It’s wonderful that your daughter had
children, but how IVF affects hormones is a nightmare

Galaxy

Annie I just wanted to get back to you about the IVF. I know about your daughter and the difficulties she had trying to have a family. As you know, my daughter also had miscarriages and IVF, but we were lucky because it resulted in our beautiful twins and their brother. IVF is gruelling and how you daughter managed 14 attempts fills me with awe. All the hormones and injections, the regular visits, the treatments in general are just gruelling and heart breaking to watch as a parent. Even afterwards the hormones continue to wreak havoc and often cause post natal depression, which we went through with our daughter. It’s a very difficult time and if unsuccessful continues to be difficult.

volver

Can you imagine how positive an image it would give if a HoS could be shown to still be fulfilling her duties whilst in a wheelchair?

Can you imagine the boost that would give to the perception of people who use wheelchairs?

But no, an image of perfection must be maintained at all times.

I agree. But of course, it’s just my opinion. I think it’s rather sad though.

Although my lack of cousins may have impacted on my typing ability

Thankyou maddy. What I was saying was that sone families will have close relationships with cousins and many wont. This doesnt mean there is anything missing in those families it just means they do things diffetently. We don't even actually know that the cousins in the royal family are close just because sometimes we see them on family photos together. I think that might be part of the fantasy thats created but obviously I cant know for sure.

Can you imagine how positive an image it would give if a HoS could be shown to still be fulfilling her duties whilst in a wheelchair?

Can you imagine the boost that would give to the perception of people who use wheelchairs?

But no, an image of perfection must be maintained at all times.

I felt she might well perceive it that way volver. I don’t but I’m not head of state, always dressed up and centre stage am I? I expect you remember Princess Margaret emerging in a wheelchair, her health having really gone downhill. I doubt the Queen has forgotten the public reaction.

I’ve just read that the Queen would prefer to miss the Commonwealth service than depend on a wheelchair.

We don’t always have to experience something to have the ability to empathise. Personal experience may enhance our understanding but there will always be some who couldn’t empathise no matter what

Thank you for your positive posts about me Namsnanny.I appreciate it.

In my defence I thought you were saying that relationships with cousins are unimportant. But anyway, I apologise.

I’m sorry Galaxy. Maybe I was patronising, I apologise.

Crikey maddy could you have been any more patronising in your post to me. People have different values and organise their families in different ways. I know people find it very difficult to understand.

Germanshepherdsmum

Would she want to be seen in a wheelchair, acknowledge her frailty and lose her dignity?

Do people in wheelchairs not have dignity?

What next....

I am really disappointed.

Would she want to be seen in a wheelchair, acknowledge her frailty and lose her dignity?

Getting in out of a car from a wheelchair is definitely not comfortable

It seems Harry has cast duty aside along with his royal role, a position the Queen would never understand.
As the Queen is unable to attend the Commonwealth service, which is something so important to her through mobility issues, could a wheelchair not be provided? I don’t know the logistics of this, but I’m sure something could be arranged and the respect for her would increase, great as it is already.

X posts. I like that there is no hidden (not so hidden on H&M?) agenda in your comments maddyone and yes you do come across as a balanced poster.?