Queen Elizabeth hosting the American President so soon after her recent bereavement

We all grieve in our own way and time.

I imagine the Queen finds doing her job helps, otherwise she could have handed looking after the visitors to Prince Charles.

Bear in mind that we have only ever seen the public face of her marriage. It may have been wonderful and the loss immense, but statistically, it is far more likely to have been a perfectly ordinary marriage with its ups and downs, disagreements and times of deep content and happiness.

However at the Queen and Prince Phillip's ages I expect they had both long since faced up to the fact that one would be left when the other died.

That doesn't make loss easier, I know, but it does suggest some level of preparedness.

The Queen epitomises duty - she has carried on through difficult times, and this, the worst of times, demonstrates just what this lady is made of.

Oh give over. She’s as tough as old boots. Been programmed from a young age not to show emotion. And he probably ‘left’ her years ago. As for the Bidens I’d think they’d be incredibly gracious and caring. She doesn’t have to jump up to get tea and biscuits for them you know ?‍♀️

My in laws were very much of her generation and appeared to be devoid of emotion.

We arrived earlier than expected one day and Dad came in via the back door saying “where’s my Rosie Posie, my darling girl, the love of my life”. Mum went bright pink and I was lost for words.

You really don’t know what goes on behind closed doors and it’s not always bad.

hollysteers

Prince Philip spent most of his time away from the Queen at Sandringham anyway before ill health and lockdown changed his plans to Windsor. Apparently his closest female friend was Penny Mountbatten, his carriage driving companion. The Queen was used to long periods without him and I don’t think he was the easiest person to have around. Not exactly Darby and Joan, although he was a great support through the years.
As mentioned before, it’s not as if she has to cope alone, without much help, as we might do.
The Queen is going to be a very very hard act to follow and I would not like to be in that person’s shoes.

Wow! Do you gossip about your neighbours if they participate in the same sport? Not a pleasant trait.

Over the years HM has had to be polite to all kinds of people. The Bidens seem pleasant enough so can’t see the problem.

She’s probably keen to get back to some kind of normality. She’s apparently taken to zooming after a reluctant start. She isn’t easily fazed.

Travel is allowed for work purposes and I guess the G7 counts!

What`s the betting PP told her to carry on as if i were here, no need to mourn or put off duties.
He was down to earth after all.
She never seems to put herself first,duties come first.
I love seeing her smile and doing the job she loves.

Urmstongran
All part of the service isn't it?
Did not this wonderful lady, in her speech on becoming queen, state and I quote,
Be devoted to your service and the great imperial family to which we all belong?

I’m really surprised at some of the posts. I didn’t expect such negative reactions, that was my first time posting and it will make me very wary of doing so again. I laughed out loud at nannaK54, much my sense of humour. Nannette1955 was more of the comment I was expecting. Hey ho I live and learn.

And here we have another case of the amazing disappearing thread starter ! OP. Sets up a thread which included references to the current president and his wife as American muppets ( hmm or has she not noticed trump has gone ?) then never returns to comment.

OP, you start a highly contentious topic on HM the Queen, and make gratuitously rude comments about americans, and yet,
didn’t expect such negative reactions.
really ?

IslandGranny

I’m really surprised at some of the posts. I didn’t expect such negative reactions, that was my first time posting and it will make me very wary of doing so again. I laughed out loud at nannaK54, much my sense of humour. Nannette1955 was more of the comment I was expecting. Hey ho I live and learn.

Islandgran. I beg your pardon you must have just reappeared when I made my comment.

However is you are here. Can you tell us why do you say “American muppets “ ??

I think our Queen is very happy to be hosting the Bidens, and I don’t suppose she will be on her own with them.

She’s a wonderful, strong woman who is an example to us all.

Daisend1

Urmstongran
All part of the service isn't it?
Did not this wonderful lady, in her speech on becoming queen, state and I quote,
Be devoted to your service and the great imperial family to which we all belong?

No, she didn't.

I'm amazed how many people who consider themselves Royalists get this wrong.

Alegrias1

Daisend1

Urmstongran
All part of the service isn't it?
Did not this wonderful lady, in her speech on becoming queen, state and I quote,
Be devoted to your service and the great imperial family to which we all belong?

No, she didn't.

I'm amazed how many people who consider themselves Royalists get this wrong.

it was on her 21st birthday broadcast www.royal.uk/21st-birthday-speech-21-april-1947

Callistemon ?

My post was about bereavement and I was concerned for the Queen being expected to go back to work so soon after losing her husband. It was my opinion, it was not a judgement on her capabilities or her sense of duty.
I’m sure such state visits are planned months in advance, I’m also sure the Queen would have been consulted about her involvement.
My mistake in making this thread was to express an opinion, albeit intended as natural concern and to add humour. I have enjoyed Gransnet up until today but did not realise how reading others personal attacks would upset me so much. So, as the dolphins say, “Goodbye and thanks for all the fish.”

You mean this one?

I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong

It is often said that the Queen said this at the time of her coronation, which is taken to imply that she vowed to stay Queen forever, never to abdicate. As greenlady01 pointed out, it was said in a speech from South Africa on the occasion of her 21st birthday.

So she wasn't vowing to stay Queen forever, she was vowing to serve forever. She may perhaps consider in the future that the best way to serve her country would be to abdicate.

IslandGranny, I’m amazed at such a stupid and frankly insulting post. Our Queen isn’t the sort of person who ‘can’t be expected to make conversation or listen to other people’ or who might cry in public and has to have a year off. She is, and has been for almost 70 years, a consummate professional. She is a most gracious lady who fulfills her vow of lifelong service, putting her own feelings to one side as ever. In my own way I get that - I had to continue working as a solicitor (to keep a roof over my head and put food on the table) and looking after a young child regardless of my private sorrows, which I literally could not afford to indulge. No time off, get on with the job. So it makes me somewhat angry when I read a post from someone who simply ‘couldn’t function’. I judge no-one more harshly than I judge myself but I understand duty and responsibility on whatever level that may be. And it’s nothing short of disgraceful to call the Bidens ‘American muppets’. Joe Biden seems an honourable man who has suffered more than his fair share of grief but soldiered on. If you post again please think first and be a better judge of your audience.

Don’t think she will Alegrias (abdicate, that is).

Typical of our Queen and I bet she's pleased it's Biden.

I don't think for one moment that she'd be doing this just because it's expected of her, and expected by whom? President Biden, the Government?

I'm so glad that most posters judge favourably. We need more of it.

Her Majesty the Queen will always do her duty, I think she moarned Prince Phillp a long time ago.
She will love being able to do her duty as she has always done, and I am sure will genuinly enjoy the Bidens company, they seem such nice decent well mannered people, who will be perfect guests I am sure.

Joe Biden has had more than his fair share of grief. His wife and daughter were killed in a car accident when he was in his thirties. He and his present wife lost a son to cancer only a few years ago. Biden is a man noted for his compassion and I doubt the queen's loss has escaped his attention. I am sure he will be the best possible head of state to spend time with.