An American friend of mine (I am Canadian, by the way) once asked me, while we were both a bit drunk, "Why does the Queen exist? For that matter, why does the British Royal family still exist?" I thought about it - then told him, because they set a worthy example, by their behavior and words, for the rest of the English speaking nation - an example to emulate, for their nation. Buddy said, "any example?" I told him that every male member of the House of Regina, by long established custom (about two centuries), MUST serve a full term of enlistment in a branch of the British Armed Forces (Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy) BEFORE he may be considered eligible to be placed in the line of succession for the Crown. In simple terms, that male member of the Royal Family must show, as explained in Robert A. Heinlein's book (Starship Troopers) that they are prepared to put the welfare or survival of the nation above their own safety. Buddy paused to think about that - he ordered another pint of beer, turned and asked, 'Didnt Prince Harry do a tour in Afghanistan a few years back...' I told him, nearly seven months. On the ground, as a combat air controller. Then I asked him if he thought that THAT standard should apply to every single professional politician in the U.S. His answer: 'Oh F#0k Yes!' God bless Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. You might see these words again, folks. Cheers, Stilicho.
Did you see that documentary where she was showing dignitaries around Balmoral and there was queen Victoria's diary. The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, asked stupidly, "Did she write it in her own hand?" The Queen replied, "How else could she have written it?"
The Queen is truly a Queen. God save her and protect her.
ReplyDeleteAnd God save Britain if Charles should become King.
Great lady.
ReplyDeleteYes, we'll meet again
ReplyDeleteThe Boss is in charge as Boris has been hospitalized.
ReplyDeleteA true Queen in every sense of the word.
ReplyDeleteI've always considered her the epitome of class and dedication to duty.
ReplyDeleteAn American friend of mine (I am Canadian, by the way) once asked me, while we were both a bit drunk, "Why does the Queen exist? For that matter, why does the British Royal family still exist?"
ReplyDeleteI thought about it - then told him, because they set a worthy example, by their behavior and words, for the rest of the English speaking nation - an example to emulate, for their nation.
Buddy said, "any example?"
I told him that every male member of the House of Regina, by long established custom (about two centuries), MUST serve a full term of enlistment in a branch of the British Armed Forces (Army, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy) BEFORE he may be considered eligible to be placed in the line of succession for the Crown.
In simple terms, that male member of the Royal Family must show, as explained in Robert A. Heinlein's book (Starship Troopers) that they are prepared to put the welfare or survival of the nation above their own safety.
Buddy paused to think about that - he ordered another pint of beer, turned and asked, 'Didnt Prince Harry do a tour in Afghanistan a few years back...'
I told him, nearly seven months. On the ground, as a combat air controller.
Then I asked him if he thought that THAT standard should apply to every single professional politician in the U.S.
His answer: 'Oh F#0k Yes!'
God bless Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second.
You might see these words again, folks.
Cheers,
Stilicho.
God Save the Queen 🇬🇧
ReplyDeleteWhat a shining example of Sovereignty she is.
Great Lady.
ReplyDeleteGreat Lady who has seen the best and the worst...
ReplyDeleteA classy woman in every sense.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lady.
ReplyDeleteI second LL. We'll never see the like of her again.
I got a great impression of her watching that Netflix series on her.
ReplyDeleteLast of the breed.
Liz served in the British Army during the war. Truck driver and mechanic. Knows her weapons, too.
ReplyDeleteTiny in stature, large and in charge.
LL, YES and YES.
ReplyDeleteI think she's remarkable, Adrienne.
ReplyDeleteRight on, Kid.
ReplyDeleteGod save the Queen, Anon.
ReplyDeleteGet well, Boris.
She surely is, Brig.
ReplyDeleteWSF -- she made a vow in 1947 to serve the British people as long as she lived. She hasn't broken that promise.
ReplyDeleteStilicho, you nailed it.
ReplyDeleteJuliette, she's exceptional, to put it mildly.
ReplyDeleteGod bless her, Linda.
ReplyDeleteSo it's said, I have zero respect for royalty just because they are, but this woman is the real deal. Much respect.
ReplyDeleteShe surely has, NFO. Sharp, too.
ReplyDeleteDid you see that documentary where she was showing dignitaries around Balmoral and there was queen Victoria's diary. The Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, asked stupidly, "Did she write it in her own hand?" The Queen replied, "How else could she have written it?"
I loved her for that.
I second that, Jim.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, DOS. It'll be the end of an age.
ReplyDeleteSure looks that way, Ed, and more's the pity.
ReplyDeleteedutcher, she's all of that.
ReplyDeleteShe really is, Bob, I agree. The Old England, which for all its faults had great virtue. Same as the Old America, too.
ReplyDeleteThe 'bob' comment is actually a kid comment, blogger got confused with my multiple gmail logins.... fwiw.
ReplyDelete