Gransnet forums

News & politics

Another annus horribilis

(33 Posts)
gallusquine Fri 20-Sep-19 09:49:06

David Cameron has let the cat out of the bag about the Queen improperly involving herself in the Scottish Independence Referendum. Buckingham Palace has said that there is an amount of displeasure at David Camerons indiscretion. I remember experiencing an amount of displeasure at the time and I felt some displeasure again recently at the outrage felt towards BJ for involving the Queen in political goings on re the proroguing of parliament.
I dont think the Queen was a naive player in all of this and even if she was she is well schooled in matters of her constitutional boundaries by her many advisors.
No one will be purring about these matters but I feel a level of gravitas and decorum has been lost.

BradfordLass72 Sun 22-Sep-19 12:46:52

I wouldn’t think the breakup of the marriages of three children as a mild irritation

No, it must have been heartbreaking as will be the current stupidity of Andrew but I can't help feeling that if this was a working class family and someone posted these troubles on GN (or indeed in that esteemed organ the Dail Mail), the first remark would probably be.

"Three divorces, adultery and possible under-age sex? I blame the parents!"

Sussexborn Sat 21-Sep-19 21:03:29

Expecting to see this book in Poundland before too long! Who on earth would want to buy it?

He’s trying to defuse all the ill feeling against him but dragging HM in just makes him more of a gumptionless sleazeball.

Calendargirl Sat 21-Sep-19 20:17:58

varian

Least favourite or not, the Queen attended Margaret Thatcher’s funeral, not something she does for most of them.

varian Sat 21-Sep-19 18:50:13

IMO it's just about Cameron's cack-handed attempt to sell his book, quite forgetting his responsibility never to divulge conversations (even one stage removed via private secretaries) with the queen.

I suspect the DC has now displaced Margaret Thatcher as Her Majesty's least favourite PM.

Ginny42 Sat 21-Sep-19 17:59:20

Could DC's revelation be a move to tone down BJ involving the Queen?

DC makes disparaging remarks about Johnson changing his view on Brexit to further his career, seemingly being very critical of Johnson and then reveals that he too involved the Queen in playing a role in a political decision. Coincidence?

Smileless2012 Sat 21-Sep-19 16:29:22

IMO it's not whether of not the Queen said what little she did say to influence the vote in the run up to the Scottish referendum for independence, it's the fact that DC has claimed that it was due to him that she did so.

The man's an idiot and again IMO in order to try and make himself look better, he'd only succeeded in making himself look even worse. Who would of thought that was possiblehmm.

merlotgran Sat 21-Sep-19 16:16:46

The Annus Horribilis was in 1992. The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were still alive.

The Queen was referring to Andrew and Fergie separating, Diana's 'tell all' book, Anne and Mark Phillips divorcing, the photos of Fergie having her toes sucked, the Squidgygate tapes and finally the fire in Windsor castle.

No wonder she was feeling more than a little p**sed off.

Fiachna50 Sat 21-Sep-19 15:58:59

My understanding of the Queen's Annus Horribilus was referring to the time she lost her mother and her sister. However, if I had a private conversation with someone, I don't think I'd be happy to see it all over the newspapers. No matter who you are.

sodapop Sat 21-Sep-19 12:26:05

Elegran ??

Elegran Sat 21-Sep-19 10:02:28

So telling people to think carefully of the future before casting their vote is interfering? Wow, how incredibly outspoken of her!!!!

Maybe she should have told them to create merry hell and vote so as to cause upheaval in the future and spoil the lives of as many people as possible. If she had been going to "interfere" then better be hanged for a sheep as a lamb.

Luckygirl Sat 21-Sep-19 09:14:45

I do not think she interfered in 2014.

sodapop Sat 21-Sep-19 08:56:44

It's quite naive to assume the Queen is cushioned from all ills because of her position and wealth. The concerns and worries she has are still those of a mother and grandmother. Added to that the Queen has a lifetime of public service behind her, her worries may not all be the same as those of the average person but problems none the less.

Sussexborn Sat 21-Sep-19 03:50:55

Was this about the time Margaret was very ill and died. Also the QM.

She possibly feels guilty that her children all have to be in the limelight whether they want to be. Must be stressful not knowing what might happen next. At least we don’t have those kind of concerns.

I wouldn’t swap with her even if the deal included all the money and jewellery in the world. Well I might if I could abdicate next day.

Joelsnan Fri 20-Sep-19 11:13:10

We are all human. Money does not replace emotion though can alleviate concern and stress in financial things (bill paying etc) that paupers like me have to deal with.. no amount of money can wipe away grief and similat.

Anniebach Fri 20-Sep-19 11:08:37

Urmstongran for some money solves all worries and pain.

Urmstongran Fri 20-Sep-19 11:05:11

Sadly Annie I have to agree with you. Money is no replacement for devastating life events is it? There are some harsh comments on this thread,

Anniebach Fri 20-Sep-19 11:02:10

Urmstongran. Everything is about money for some, grief,
sorrow, worry for one’s children and grandchildren no problem if your wealthy .

Urmstongran Fri 20-Sep-19 10:56:55

But what if HM’s annus horriblis wasn’t all about money? She’ll have been upset as any mother would about the imminent divorce of Charles & Diana and the effect it would have on her beloved grandsons.

Plus ditto about Beatrice and Eugenie after their parents had separated. It is said she is particularly close to those girls.

Churned up emotions I imagine for any grandmother and mother to bear. And in the public eye too with paparazzi around.

Whitewavemark2 Fri 20-Sep-19 10:55:07

I’m talking about this year annie?

Anniebach Fri 20-Sep-19 10:52:47

Surely her real name is that of her father ?

Anniebach Fri 20-Sep-19 10:50:56

I wouldn’t think the breakup of the marriages of three children as a mild irritation

Whitewavemark2 Fri 20-Sep-19 10:46:27

? annus horribilis

Hardly.

A mild irritation perhaps.

paddyann Fri 20-Sep-19 10:45:32

lets put it this way.Lizzie knows what side her bread is buttered on and she's highly unlikely to want to rock the boat.Anything she's told to do by "her" prime ministers she'll do ,she has to keep her hand in that cookie jar after all theres a lot of little Saxe-Coburg thingy's coming along who need public money more than the public apparently .The "thingy" is simply because I forgot what the last part of maj's REAL name is and it sure ashell aint Windsor !!

Anniebach Fri 20-Sep-19 10:36:11

Yet again, money solves all problems

BradfordLass72 Fri 20-Sep-19 10:29:12

It was my understanding that when HM Queen talked about her 'annus horriblis' the world laughed her to scorn.

Sure, all manner of things happened that year, including the fire at Windsor Castle but it didn't cost her anything; she hasn't suffered anywhere near as much heartache as her subjects.

Her children don't need to save up to get married or have children. They can move into multi-million pound mansions and order designer clothing.

She has 1st class health care and the best of everything.
Annus horriblis? Don't be daft. She's well protected and cushioned.

The only time I felt sorry for her was when Prince Andrew was on active service during the Falklands War - she looked truly haggard with worry then.

And of course she knows all there is to know about her politcal or non-political bouondaries.