The death of the Queen, the end of an era, and the arrival of King Charles III, the climate activist

A thread for discussing the death of the Queen:

Australian coin, 20c

TonybWith the death of the queen I feel as if I have lost a family member. A huge part of the west’s structure that has existed for 70 years, has been demolished

David Maddison: She led as Queen way after typical retirement age because she knew Charles and her grandsons were not up to the job. Even though the Queen had little political power, she was an anchor figure of our Civilisation and offered a sense of stability and constancy.

Serge Wright: Yep, she didn’t want Charles to be king for a day longer than humanly possible and she didn’t want to see Charles as king with her own eyes – or Camilla as queen. I think the reason for this is obvious when you look at how Charles influences the government and public opinion on important issues and views himself as a pseudo ruling head of state. To her credit, the queen was always focused on allowing the government to rule without influence or intrusion as this would erode democracy. Now that Charles has become king we can expect a vastly different approach and it won’t be helpful. There is also a risk of countries exiting the commonwealth.

Ronin: The other thing I liked about her, regardless of her own personal beliefs, she never paraded her politics in public, unlike her male heirs.

I think part of what we are all sad for is the end of a wonderful era.

UPDATE: #2 Tucker Carlson “This is why they are attacking Queen Elizabeth II”

Nigel Farage: “I am profoundly sad” — “Her reign was 30% of the time the US has existed — it gives you some idea of sheer historical span of what she’s done, never a single scandal…”

The British Empire was not perfect, but it was far more humane than any other ever. It’s gone now, barely even remembered. Queen Elizabeth II was the last living link to a truly Great Britain.

When the U.S. government withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years, we left behind airstrips, shipping containers and guns. When the British pulled out of India, they left behind an entire civilization, a language, a legal system, schools, churches and public buildings, all of which are still in use today.

The British did give the world the Magna Carta and habeas corpus and free speech. They helped end the transatlantic slave trade, as well as the ritual murder of widows in India. The British Empire spread Protestant Christianity to the entire world. It published some of the greatest literature ever written and produced the finest manufactured goods ever made anywhere at any time, including now.  — Tucker Carlson

*UPDATE: Strop and Tonyb point out that technically the Commonwealth has grown in member states from 7 to 52, and now nearly a third of the world’s people live in a Commonwealth nation. Jo replies: I would hope that the influence of the Commonwealth would grow rather than recede, and with Brexit, it seemed so obvious to renew the Commonwealth as a trading and cultural union. Now with the abject decline and failure of the EU on display, the time is perfect, but alas, Charles is unlikely to be that guiding light and the opportunity may be squandered…

I suspect in hindsight we will feel grateful she reigned as long as she did.

Boris Johnson does a superb Eulogy

*Edited. Today is not the day to analyze the pluses and minuses of the Queen’s legacy and the comment by Daffy about the long term trends of the British Empire can wait. There will be time later…

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151 comments to The death of the Queen, the end of an era, and the arrival of King Charles III, the climate activist

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    Rupert Ashford

    …and your last 3 words (Charles the climate activist) are what is concerning about old Charles. The two younger princes are even more of loonies, especially the ginger one, although the elder might just be wiser at biting his tongue. Problem is these people are so far removed from normal middle class life that they can afford any economic disasters these policies inflict on the people so it is of no concern for them – much like Marie Antoinette.

    But back to the Queen: She was an example of poise, stature and manners (?) and someone we can all strive to emulate. May she rest in peace.

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      MrGrimNasty

      Sadly even the Queen was coopted into pushing the climate narrative in her final months, trashing her reputation as being politically neutral. I doubt she realised what she had done, so successful has the climate movement been in hiding it’s heinous political motivations behind a veil of supposed science. Having set the precedent, I fear there is nothing to stop clown Chas continuing to spout on the issue. It isn’t politics you see!

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      • #
        MrGrimNasty

        Here’s the Queen making the classic error, supporting ‘climate action’ could not be further from conservation, environmentalism, or pollution. In fact it will do immeasurable damage to those laudable causes.
        https://youtu.be/eXvfqUe4EFQ

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      • #
        Tim Spence

        MrGrimNasty, I don’t know how long the government has been writing the Queen’s Christmas speech but it took a real turn for the worse when Blair came into power in 1997. Things went from ‘nobody tells the Queen how to dress’ under Thatcher, to Elizabeth having to dress down for endless ‘sensitive’ visits to culturally diverse religious centres in the UK.

        The change was driven in part by the antics of her dysfunctional children and being slow to get back from Scotland when Diana died. Maybe the Palace decided it better to tread carefully through the Socialist revolution.

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  • #
    John Connor II

    Can we become a (banana) republic now?😉

    No love lost by a lot of us.

    https://dossier.substack.com/p/the-wef-king-ascends-to-the-british

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  • #
    Petros

    With the death of Philip it seemed unlikely to me that the Queen would last much longer. They were such a strong couple together. We are in grave danger of our societies collapsing or at least having major upheavals for a number of reasons. Her passing just increases that danger. Charles is just not up to the task. May she rest in peace.

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    TdeF

    I think the world is shocked, not that it happened, but because they had never known a time without the Queen. A sort of pole star in world politics, world events, a symbol for so many people throughout their lives. And in a way it was mercifully short for everyone.

    And I learned something about the language. The headline was that grave fears were held. And I thought grave as in heavy, gravid, serious. A metaphor. Only the next headline said she was dead and the word grave changed meaning. Now grave fears means exactly what it says.

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    Lawrie

    As a retired Army officer I swore allegiance to QE her heirs and successors and was proud to do so. I think her death marks the end of an era in human history. I do think that it also marks a change for the better. The world is in a mess due to the actions of socialists at all levels of government and bureaucracy. It is obvious that slowly but surely the majority is beginning to realise the erroneous path we are on and starting to fight back. That endeavour will accelerate as energy poverty affects ever more people. Europe started the Global Warming rot and the reversal will also start in Europe. Yes we have the idiot in chief in charge of our energy future but it will take someone as stupid as Bowen to finally jolt the plebs here into revolt. I am being optimistic but we should be. The best is yet to come and includes the embarrassment of the true believers. The scam will collapse and the fools exposed.

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  • #
    Strop

    I think it’s often said it’s not the power that the British Monarch has but the power it prevents that matters.
    It’s important for the Monarch to remain above politics and The Queen has done that quite well.

    QE2 was a great lady, but under her reign the Commonwealth shrank

    I don’t think there should be a “but” in there inferring it’s a bad thing. Also I’m not sure by Commonwealth if you actually mean Empire. The Commonwealth has grown significantly in her time. The shrinking Empire was mostly appropriate in my opinion. Kids grow up and can then stand on their own two feet. Plus so many of the Empire’s outposts were sh1thol3s and a waste of time trying to keep administering.

    They perhaps should have tried to keep Hong Kong.

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    • #

      Edited the line “How much could the Queen have done to stop this?”. Changed to: Responsibility for many of these trends was surely more a voter-and-parliamentary question — but it’s a fair question to ask if the Queen could have done more to stop it.

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        tonyb

        Jo

        Please see my comment but the comment you reference is simply incorrect. When she first came to the throne there were only 7 members as most countries had yet to receive independence. Today there are 56. The commonwealth consists of one third of the population of the globe and includes countries who were never even part of the empire!

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        • #

          Tony, I’ll add your point in to the post. I’ve already added the Commonwealth shrank “in influence” to capture the most important part of what I think Daffy was making.

          When the EU was created the role of the Commonwealth was depreciated in so many ways — speaking from Australia — our trading influence with the UK ran a far second to the demands of the EU. And even though the Commonwealth may be now 1/3 of the worlds population, was it a larger proportion at the start of her reign?

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          • #
            Phil O'Sophical

            Abandoning our worldwide cousins and natural allies and trading partners in the anglosphere on the spurious, and known to be spurious, grounds of proximity (and proximity to countries who historically had our worst interests at heart and continued to do so) was a shameful act of treason in the eyes of most Britons. Please never believe it was the people who wanted or did this. I find it ironic that having broken partially free from the EU, it is our cousins in Oz, NZ and Canada, that are rapidly turning into police states courtesy of their WEF-trainees.

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          Sceptical+Sam

          Mozambique, Rwanda, and Gabon are the three which were never part of the British Empire but are now part of the Commonwealth.

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      • #
        Jeremy Poynton

        People need to understand what a constitutional Monarchy can and cannot do.

        I would also add that the Constitutional Monarchies of Northern Europe have been the most stable democracies in the world. That status is probably slowly passing as we in the West head towards self-inflicted collapse.

        I was born in 1951, so aware of no other monarch till today. Pretty radical in my views, but also devoted to the unbelievable woman.

        Shocked and sad this morning. We won’t see her like again

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        • #
          Dennis

          Of course Constitutional Monarchies have been the most stable democracies, but many people do not understand that constitutional laws prevail and a Monarch is a figurehead for ceremonial purposes and the powers are at government level and contained in the Constitution.

          In the UK an Act of Parliament during the 1930s removed the few remaining powers of a monarch for the UK and Commonwealth nations, Australia reinforced that Act with our Australia Act passed by Parliament 1980s.

          And Commonwealth is another word for Republic.

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    • #

      In fairness, sorry, today was too soon to start discussing the longer legacy and criticisms, so I took out “the other view” paragraph by Daffy that you are replying to Strop and Tonyb. There will be plenty of time later to discuss those important long term trends.

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    Phiby

    I believe it was Cromwell who threw the Monarchy out but then later restored it to the Windsor’s, big mistake.
    The lady shall be missed by many but Charles will turn more citizens Republicans.
    Let’s hope that in view of what was said above that monarchs still have no say in how the parliament operates as there are enough climate loons already without another one having power.

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  • #
    Philip

    Apparently, Lord Salisbury in the 1800s described Britain with the term, “we are fish”. They knew what they were. Such clarity has long been fading, and today is a symbolic end to it. The Queen was the last remnant of the great age of Britain.

    Many are glad to see it. We suffer from self-loathing like no other. Even defenders of our culture preface their position with proclamation “our history was evil, but it was not us individuals alive today who did that”. I apologise for nothing. Not one thing. The new world without the British – its morals, its civility, its administrative skills, its engineering prowess – I could not imagine what it would have become. Australia became a great nation from nothing, all due to its British founders.

    The heirs to this great civilization have been infected with all this anti-British nonsense themselves. Some lay blame at the Queen for allowing decline under her watch. I say what could she do? I myself defied my conservative parents for most of my life, until I realised what a fool I was. I know what it’s like. I would have disowned such an insolent child, but they never did, not once, they had far greater wisdom than me, an unconditional love. As the Queen did, for her family and her nations. We could all learn from that. She was not the controller of Britain. She was its mother. And today our mother has died. A very sad day.

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    • #
      Jeremy Poynton

      Well said. Worth noting that all modern notions of human rights (real, not “claimed, manufactured rights” and the freedom of the individual originated in England hundreds of years ago. We are the oldest nation state of note by a long long way.

      And we’re stuffed and HM Queen Elizbeth’s passing, the glue that held the nation together, will hastened our demise

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    Ylo Abab

    While generally not arguing with any of the expressed opinions, I’d like to have a different slant on the departure of the monarch. Australia is now vastly different: older generation Britons have been replaced by people of all ethnicities, creeds, cultures and languages. We are no longer pro-monarchy “Little Britain”. Neither are we an ex-colony, populated by ex-convicts. Our modern populace is not really interested in royal conundrums, as lots of us have no connection of any kind to this institution. Many feel that monarchy is an anachronism. Many adopted pro-republican waiting position “let the old lady finish her reign, no point upsetting her now”. Media hysteria will try to convince us that there were huge outpourings of grief and so on, but that’s what they do. They feast on stuff like that. Lots of people get swept in media hysteria. But I reckon, as soon as the funeral is over, first hints about getting back to republican debate will start floating about. Modern Australians do not want a king, they’ve been polite and patient, letting an old lady, who had lots of bad family issues to deal with, peacefully end her reign. No offence intended to British people or expats.

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    • #
      Graeme No.3

      Adam Brandt has already called for a Republic.

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      • #
        Zane

        A green banana republic?

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        John in Oz

        It’s a pity there is no definition of the ‘Republic’ they wish for and I am sure the greens have a far different vision of what that would look like than the rest of us.

        I’m all for cutting the constitutional ties to the UK but wish to know the detail of how a republic would work.

        Much like the current push for an Aboriginal ‘voice’ in the constitution, asking us to trust the pollies without detail is not going to work (I hope).

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    • #
      Robert Swan

      I’m not keen on having a king either, but the plus side is that he’ll largely be paid for by the British. How much extra is an Australian president going to cost us, just for a comfy position for a burnt-out politician?

      BTW, unless you’ve taken up the modern art of rewriting history, Australia will always be a group of former colonies. We might be again too if China continues its adventures in the Pacific.

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        Ylo Abab

        Point taken, we are an ex-colony, I stand corrected. Read it as “We are no longer a colony populated by ex-convicts. It was prompted by ongoing hearing from our “big brothers” on all other sides of the ocean derogatory “What do you want, Australia is a colony populated by descendants of convicts”.

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  • #
    tonyb

    When the Queen came to the throne there were 7 members of the Commonwealth. Today there are 56 and it consists of one third of the population of the world. Whether it will continue or not, who knows but certainly it is useful as a potential trading and cultural vehicle.

    But everything is different this morning to yesterday. Our bank notes, coins and postage stamps show the portrait of someone now dead we have known all our lives and I feel very deflated. The Queen has been ruling for some 25% of the time that the US has existed! The Archbishop of Canterbury has asked that Churches ring their bells at noon to signify her passing so we shall listen out for that

    There is some excitement about a new King-Chares is my middle name and I was named after the new King. We haven’t had a Charles for some 350 years, that is the length of time the Romans occupied Britain!

    The previous 2 Charles were very exciting figures. One seems to have been a climate activist himself proclaiming through Parliament in the 1660’s that as the winter was so unnaturally warm -like summer- everyone was commanded to pray that it return to normal. Pepys wrote of this in his diary.

    Certainly the Queen was one of the pillars of the West and we have so few now that we can ill afford to have another removed.

    The new PM Liz Truss made a very nice speech about her, she may be better than we all feared. It is sobering to think she was the last prominent person to see the Queen as she flew to Balmoral to be confirmed as the new PM. The Queen knew her duty to the last days. I suspect we have mostly lost that dedication in public life

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    • #

      I would hope that the influence of the Commonwealth would grow rather than recede, and with Brexit, it seemed so obvious to renew the Commonwealth as a trading and cultural union. Now with the weakness of the EU on display, the time is perfect, but alas, Charles will not be that guiding light and the opportunity may be squandered…

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      • #
        tonyb

        Yes, the commonwealth could have a great future. It consists of first world and third world countries and each can benefit by trading with each other and exchanging cultural ties. It needs to ensure it doesn’t become political however which became the problem with the EEC/EU.

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      • #
        Dennis

        The UK Prime Minister and Cabinet are key to what happens, the King has no power but of course does consult “his” Prime Minister on a weekly basis, but that meeting is used to keep the Monarch up to date with affairs of state. Maybe the Monarch makes suggestions, probably does, but the final decision is taken by Prime Minister and Cabinet.

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    Old Goat

    HRH has been the monarch for nearly all my life and it’s hard to fault her . Monarchs have had a tendency to create wars and conflict , and that “function” has now been taken by oligarchs . As she stayed out of politics it didn’t bite her . The royal family only has ceremonial power now and that is why they have gone woke – popularity is the only thing that can keep them going . The only thing that I can see steering the world away from disaster would be a real leaders who are prepared to state the truth and act on it .

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  • #
    MrGrimNasty

    Trump seems to have captured more class and sincerity than most of the other global leaders combined.

    “Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief.

    Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain. Her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world. However, she will always be remembered for her faithfulness to her country and her unwavering devotion to her fellow countrymen and women.

    Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor. What a grand and beautiful lady she was—there was nobody like her!

    Our thoughts and prayers will remain with the great people of the United Kingdom as you honor her most meaningful life and exceptional service to the people.

    May God bless the Queen, may she reign forever in our hearts, and may God hold her and Prince Philip in abiding care.”

    Donald J. Trump and Melania Trump

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      Honk R Smith

      Is Trump invited to the funeral?
      I’m sure he’ll be there with the current and former POTUS contingent.
      Will there be any other threats to democracy in attendance?
      Imagine, a threat to democracy at the funeral of a Queen.

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        Phil O'Sophical

        Any other threats? Well I guess the leaders of the totalitarian countries Canada, NZ and Australia will turn up to fawn and pretend.

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      Richard+Ilfeld

      One wonders what Trump might have accomplished, had he not been under constant attack by an army of Lilliputin prevaicators from the moment he ran for office aided by a press populated by progressive synchophants and generally suitable only for fish wrap. He was not Churchill, but he was a man necessary at a moment of crisis; progressives always need the output of greatness to squander parasitically. Britain had a sort of stability that one can only achieve with wise continuity at the top; the Queen embodying the virtues of a system of governance of free men that we in the states, with some times indifferent success, have tried to enshrine in a document. This remarkable woman may be judged by historians as much by what she did not do as what she did. It seems that her status in the world did not change as much as that of the island she ruled; perhaps in that she was more like a pope than a princess. There is no doubt, if one follows the news and magazine ratings, that Americans were of the opinion that in some ethereal way she was our queen as well, we having no similar preserver of anglo-american culture of our own. God Save the King; and we pray he can follow the wise course his mother set.

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      Annie

      President Trump’s tribute is really lovely and gracious.

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    Honk R Smith

    Are deceased Monarchs greeted in the afterlife by headless and barbequed former subjects and relatives.
    Something they share with Popes and Cardinals.
    Forgive my lack of sensitivity, I’m a MAGAmerican, we don’t get the King and Queen thing.

    We did get a former disinherited(?) prince and his lovely, politically articulate, possible Presidential candidate wife.

    BTW, thanks to the Green agenda, shouldn’t the name be changed from the Commonwealth to the Commonpoverty?

    Cueing Mod.

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      Hanrahan

      we don’t get the King and Queen thing.

      So but out.

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      Honk R Smith

      Funny how as a person of European descent, particularly born in a southern US state, I am expected to bear the the collective guilt of my ancestors.
      But Royals get a pass.
      Could it be that genuflecting to the New Religion of Climate/Wokeianity is the only path to forgiveness?

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      Honk R Smith

      In all seriousness,
      we are about to witness a funerary/coronation spectacle not seen in decades.
      Private jets will clog the skies of England.
      Millions of pounds expended …
      as the citizens of the realm face financial ruin as result of ludicrous public/crown policy.
      And were not supposed to say anything.
      All the red thumbs you want.

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        Hanrahan

        By contrast JFK was thrown on a gun carriage and buried in the local cemetery. Yea right! What did he do, two, three years?

        What right have you to claim the Brits are the only snobs. They never had a Davis Love III tee off in golf, a small time judge present forever as Judge Jeanine, a state Governor present as Governor Huckabee, a Secretary of state forever called Madam Secretary, Ivy League College graduates intermarrying to form a close ruling coterie that is deeply racist. The only one not so honoured is Trump, now called “The previous President”.

        These are the elitists who want to tell the world how to live.

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      tonyb

      I would rather have Monarchy as our Head of State rather than the procession of Presidents that have fulfilled that function.

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        Dennis

        The conga line of Australian politicians don’t impress you for a role as President of the Commonwealth which is Republic of Australia?

        Same for me.

        I prefer our Constitutional Monarchy and a King who has a ceremonial role and no powers.

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    Hanrahan

    I’m saddened by the lack of warmth in this thread. I am not a royalist and I did not “love” the Queen but I swore allegiance to her and she never made me second guess that swearing. The Prince Consort gave us some levity but he never diminished his Queen.

    I am willing to give King Charles [that’s hard to type] a go. I hope others feel the same.

    A housekeeping Q: Did Charles become King presumptive on the death of his mother or is he automatically King once death is confirmed? I have heard qualifiers on “King” but I do not believe they are appropriate. I believe he is King of Australia now, not on the 20th of Jan eg.

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    • #

      The Prince Consort gave us so much more I suspect, and was the foundational and sceptical wisdom behind the Queen for so long.

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        Jeremy Poynton

        Very true, Jo. Victoria and Albert very much mirrored by Elizabeth and Philip, who we also miss terribly, for his mischievousness, and his common touch; my wife and I know a couple of people who have had very funny encounters with him.

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        Phil O'Sophical

        Her only lapses of judgement in 70 years, statements on jabbing and climate, both occurred after Philip was gone. It is a shame that no-nonsense Anne, a daughter in his own image, could not succeed.

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      Philip

      Here here.

      I gather (do not know) that once death occurs the heir is King. I have heard many Brits say “long live the King” already and made a point of saying it quickly. Perhaps it’s a part of the continuity concept, that there is always a King or Queen in place.

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      tonyb

      There is never a break in the monarchy. The second the Queen died Charles became King. His crowning is ceremonial rather than constitutional. The Royal Standard never flies at half mast because there is always a monarch, but the Union Flag will be flown at Half Mast. Already this morning Barristers have changed from QC for Queens Counsel to KC for Kings Counsel.

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        Phil O'Sophical

        So much taken for granted; so much to change. EIIR is engrained in British life from the cast motif on pillar boxes to stamps.

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  • #
    Serge Wright

    Perhaps the final words on the queen’s legacy should belong to Sir Robert Menzies, “I did but see her passing by, and yet I love her till I die”.
    God bless the Queen and may she rest in peace.

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    Jeremy Poynton

    Well said. Worth noting that all modern notions of human rights (real, not “claimed, manufactured rights” and the freedom of the individual originated in England hundreds of years ago. We are the oldest nation state of note by a long long way.

    And we’re stuffed and HM Queen Elizbeth’s passing, the glue that held the nation together, will hastened our demise

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    Philip

    That is a beautiful monologue by Tucker. How refreshing it is to hear of The British Empire spoken of in positive terms. I can’t say I’ve ever heard it before on mainstream media. And all it takes is the truth

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    Ian1946

    I am inclined to give King Charles a chance. Like his forbear King Edward the 7th he had to wait a long time to ascend to the throne and got involved in trivialities. I hope that reality will temper his woke tendencies and he will be as successful as Queen Elizabeth in his sense of duty.

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      Earl

      I applaud your latitude of thought. We should get an inkling into the depth of changes that await now he has his “chance” (finally) to be king from the very moment of his formal accession and formal coronation.

      Will he pledge as “Defender of The Faith” or will he pledge as “Defender of Faith”? I seem to recall that when he, himself, raised this consideration all those years ago there was even the chance of it even becoming “Defender of Faiths” however apparently for some that was just too inclusive.

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      Kalm Keith

      Bob Carr today, in a radio interview, stated that he admired the new King because of his environmental views.

      That’s Not a good reference.

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        Kevin Rudd has already raved about the new environmentalist on the Throne.

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          Sean

          There was a piece on NPR yesterday that had a clip from an interview with Prince Charles some time ago where he was asked if he would continue his activism once he became king; his answer was that he would have to give it up, because he would be constrained by his ministers. We will have to see how well he holds to that statement.

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      Serp

      If he wants instant popularity then banishing the Duchess of Sussex ought to do it.

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    Gerry, England

    I am pleased that we had the chance to celebrate the Queen’s 70th jubilee last summer and show our respect and thanks for her wonderful reign. Those that decry a monarchy don’t see the downside of an elected head of state that would inevitably be a politician of some sort. Imagine if we had been saddled with President Tony B Liar for example. Often they are pygmies – anyone care to name the German president? Or the Portuguese? Whose spirits would be uplifted by a visit by one of them?

    Like many here, for the first time in my life there is a King but I doubt he will command the same respect due to his climate activism and political meddling. I for one would have preferred Queen Anne II, who seems to have her mother and father’s instincts.

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    Lucky

    The death of Queen Elizabeth II follows the announcement of the new UK government Cabinet; the disastrous performance of UK governments on energy, environment, and just about everything; and abject failure of the big undercover operation planned, supported and partly staffed by the UK in Ukraine.

    Now more than ever England badly needs men and women of intelligence, integrity, and sound judgement in public life.
    But Charles approaches.

    The hereditary principle is worse than corruption. It is a cultural death wish.

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      Phil O'Sophical

      In full agreement at the catastrophically disastrous, deliberately so in my view, governments with which we have been saddled. They all take orders from much higher echelons; political motifs are meaningless. But I’m not clear how you equate this with the hereditary principle, whether applied to monarchy or in general.

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    Earl

    Some background to Tucker Carlson’s video comment regarding Great Britain helping to end the ritual murder of widows in India (Sati – when the widow throws herself on her dead husbands funeral pyre) made at the 4:18minute mark.

    In December 1829 Lord Bentinck issued Regulation XVII declaring Sati illegal and a criminal offence. This action was viewed by many Indian (males) as unacceptable meddling in a sacred custom and the matter went to the Privy Council in London which rejected the appeal in 1832 and upheld the ban on Sati.

    A delegation of Balochi priests from the region of Sindh complained to the British Governor Charles Napier who delivered the classic response:

    “Be it so. This burning of widows is your custom; prepare the funeral pile. But my nation has also a custom. When men burn women alive we hang them, and confiscate all their property. My carpenters shall therefore erect gibbets on which to hang all concerned when the widow is consumed. Let us all act according to national customs.”

    While the practice did cease in areas under British rule it was not until 1861 that it finally ended in the independent states that were under the rule of Indian princes.

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      Kalm Keith

      Nice to hear that story.

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        Kalm Keith

        If felt great sadness when I heard that the Queen had gone.

        It was mostly a feeling associated with the good things that had happened in the past and with which she was linked.

        Years ago I didn’t want a Republic while the Queen was still there as She represented a better system and a reminder that Britain could possibly recover from its current plight.

        Management wise, Britain now has nothing to offer us, and that removes my resistance to the republic move up to a point.

        Basically I am in agreement with Johnny Rotten and can’t see it making any difference; neither form of national structure will rid us of ugly, corrupt, self important politicians and public serpents and the people in the swamp who manipulate them.

        King Charles represents nothing and is unlikely to be very useful to Australia but replacing him as the nominal head will just give people like Adam Bandt and the headscarf wielding author bigger platforms to spew from.

        When in doubt: Don’t.

        Let’s focus on installing integrity and decency and common sense at all levels of our nation’s life and punish those who abuse our trust and create something better here before we dump the monarchy.

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          Earl

          “Let’s focus on installing integrity and decency and common sense at all levels of our nation’s life”

          The other members of your tag team in that fight would have to be the likes of Sugar Ray Robinson (deemed greatest welterweight/middle weight), Joe Louis (deemed greatest heavyweight) and Muhammad Ali (deemed second to both fighters) and even with them I don’t like the chances. Then again those who overlook the power of spirit do so at their peril and if nothing else the western culture, led/inspired by the British have spirit in spades. Remember Gallipoli, Dunkirk and Pearl Harbor. Sometimes down, but not for long.

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    Philby

    From 1649 to 1660, England was therefore a republic during a period known as the Interregnum (‘between reigns’). A series of political experiments followed, as the country’s rulers tried to redefine and establish a workable constitution without a monarchy.

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    Jan

    The grief we see in those many who grieve is genuine. I had thought there was a bit more life there – and I was shocked to read the Queen’s was over despite her age. I thought back to the headlines about ill health, which I had dismissed when she did emerge and perform. A public figure who is there – and then who suddenly is not – is missed. You have to think many, many people have met the Queen or seen her close. To have a figure that may unify people as they may (as some are so much of themselves that they will not have any communal / national feeling) and above politics, was the stability of the times. But that era is over. 70 years: almost as long a reign the years of one king – the Sun King. King Charles III is already old. There will be discontent, distress of nations with perplexity.

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    exsteelworker

    According to the moronic leftists, only the English empire where colonisers.

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    Honk R Smith

    How much of the new King’s first address to the Kingdom be about the sacrifices the common folk must make for the planet?
    All of it, or just most of it?

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    John Hultquist

    I enjoy seeing the photos of her during WWII.
    She seemed like someone to have lunch with.

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      tonyb

      My Mother served with Princess Elizabeth in the Auxiliary Territorial service during the war.

      https://inews.co.uk/news/queen-what-do-war-elizabeth-ii-ww2-role-explained-trooping-the-colour-platinum-jubilee-1664484

      Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London were bombed so the Crown jewels and other valuables were dispersed to various places with some of the jewels ending up a mile from us in caves.

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        Annie

        My mother was in the ATS too. She died only a few days (barely 6 days) before HM The Queen. I was just flying into England, already on the landing approach, as the news of The Queen’s death started to spread around the cabin. There was a strange silence and we hardly noticed the landing until there was a fairly harsh contact with the runway.
        My mother didn’t make it to her 100th, by less than 2 weeks. It’s strange to think that if she had, there couldn’t have been the usual telegram from The Queen. RIP two wonderful women, each in her own special sphere of operation.

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          tonyb

          So did you get to see your mum as I know you couldn’t travel for a long time because of Covid but I thought you had made it back.

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          • #
            Annie

            We did make it back Tony, 2 months ago nearly, and just in time to see her before she went really downhill. I hadn’t intended to return for her funeral but changed my mind in the last 2 weeks; want to be with my siblings for it. So, after nearly 3 years of no travel, I’m back twice within a few weeks.

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            • #
              tonyb

              Glad you made it, I thought you mentioned you had. My sister lived in Adelaide and one time when I visited my mum i was very concerned of her health. I took the decision to tell my sister it could be terminal although fearful my sister would scramble expensively to get back only to find my mum sitting in her chair having a cup of tea asking what the fuss was all about.

              So my sister jumped on a plane but unfortunately I was right, but my sister missed seeing my mum by about 6 hours after flying from the other side of the world.

              So I am very glad you made it back and found her in reasonable health that first time.

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      Dennis

      My mother served with the Australian Army volunteer women and spoke socially with the Queen a number of times about their experiences, she said that subject was one that the Queen very much enjoyed.

      She also told me that the Queen was a very “normal” person to meet and be with and interesting on many and varied subjects

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      • #
        Dennis

        I have been thinking about King Charles and how dramatically his life has changed, we are of similar age and I would not want to be in his position now, the demands and the lack of privacy, etc.

        Many years ago I attended a dinner at Government House in Sydney, 1973 when the Sydney opera House was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth who was accompanied by Prince Philip, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, at the dinner I sat with the Prince and Princess opposite them at a table during the dinner and later I walked the Princess around the dance floor, I am a hopeless dancer but maybe she was used to Horses treading on her feet. They were good company and it was a very pleasant evening.

        I hope that King Charles will follow in his mother’s footsteps and continue the strength and leadership she always provided.

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    Deano

    It will seem strange for quite a while to know she’s not there anymore. Everyone knows Britain’s history isn’t perfect. But I don’t think that was her fault and she seemed to want to do what she could, within the rigid constraints of her position, to make things better. I didn’t think I’d feel this sad but I just do.

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    Philip

    King George VI died on February 6th, 1952. Elizabeth became Queen on that date.
    I was born one month later on March 5th, 1952.

    So I have never known another King or Queen. I don’t think I could have asked for a better one.

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    william x

    King Charles will be judged by his service in that role.

    There will be time for that.

    I would like to share a meeting with Prince Charles.

    The reception was at the Bondi Icebergs, Sydney.

    Prince Charles is the patron of Emergency Service Workers in the UK.

    On his visit to Australia in 2012, Clarence house asked the NSW Gov to enable a meet and greet with NSW emergency service workers.
    I was one of 5 operational firefighters, first responders from FRNSW that was invited to attend. + 6 from management + Commissioner Mullins.
    Limit of 12 per emergency service.
    .
    There are 7200 FRNSW members working to keep people safe in NSW.
    All worthy to be honoured.
    So why me? I had no idea. I learned later why. (that is another story)

    The organisations in attendance:

    NSW Surf Lifesavers
    NSW SES
    NSW Police
    NSW Rural Fire Service
    NSW Fire & Rescue
    NSW Ambulance
    St Johns Ambulance

    What did Prince Charles do?

    He was totally focused on each person there.
    He spent time asking questions to each person, shook our hands and personally thanked each one of us for our service.

    The protocals were relaxed.
    “Your highness” in address was not to be used. He asked to be called “Sir” only.
    He said to me that he was honored to shake my hand.
    We spoke about the Windsor Castle fire and what type of incidents I attended.
    It seemed like 30 minutes, but it was propably only 3.

    Half way through the reception Charles’ minder prompted him that he had to finish as they were due to attend another function.

    To this day I remember Charles’ retort: “It is my duty to meet and honor every person here. I will not leave before that”.

    Well he got my respect.
    He did not hurry, He did not segway out.
    He asked questions, took time and spent that with every emergency worker in attendance.

    Now I don’t agree with his climate policies, but to see an 18 year old volunteer Surf Lifesaver walking away with a smile half a mile wide, is gold.

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      Philip

      That is exactly it William. This is why the system of the British monarchy works so well. A respect from the highest order to the common, who keep society functioning and civilized. People don’t understand it, a very simple system that works so well. The monarchy represents that glue that holds us all together, above politics that divides us.

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    tonyb

    Charles has just said he knows he will need to change now he is king and will not continue his previous activism as that is not compatible with his new role

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    tonyb

    This has been getting a lot of play today in the Uk. I am glad she made it to her jubilee and managed to appear on the balcony. Apparently her family knew nothing about the sketch until they saw it on the giant screens at the Party.

    https://www.heart.co.uk/news/royals/queen/paddington-bear-watch-full-video-sketch-episode/

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  • #
    David Maddison

    Here are some outstanding comments by Tucker Carlson.

    https://youtu.be/-_OzymdJ03c

    (6 mins)

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    cadger

    Charles was once asked if he would continue his activism on becoming king.

    “No I’m not stupid.”

    Read that somewhere today. Don’t know if it’s true or not.

    As king Charles is going to be too busy what with a post-coronation world tour to kick things off.

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    David Maddison

    Despite what the Left would have you believe, Great Britain was the second country to abolish slavery in 1807 after Denmark-Norway in 1807. There was also a slave rebellion in Haiti 1791-1804.

    It was the white Europeans, those people so hated by the Left, who abolished it.

    While Africans were still enslaving their fellow Africans, as they still do today, The Queen’s ancestor George III signed legislation to abolish slavery in 1807 (Slave Trade Act) and stopped it elsewhere as well with the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833.

    In 1845 the British Navy had 36 ships in its Anti-Slavery Squadron to enforce the abolition of slavery militarily.

    Slavery is still practiced today in countries beloved by the Left but which they remain silent about.

    India (8 million), China (3.86 million), Pakistan (3.19 million), North Korea (2.64 million), Nigeria (1.39 million), Indonesia (1.22 million), Democratic Republic of the Congo (1 million), Russia (794,000) and the Philippines (784,000). (Reference Wikipedia.)

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    • #
      David Maddison

      Correction. Denmark-Norway abolished slavery in 1803, not 1807.

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    • #

      It is reckoned the British spent far more suppressing slavery than we ever made from promoting it. Add in the enormous amount of infrastructure we left and the balance sheet is on our side. That does not excuse slavery of course but how is it the very many other nations who actively practised it seem to escape censure. The Arabs and Africans themselves spent many hundreds of years promoting the trade before Europe even got involved.

      You would enjoy Douglas Murrays new book ‘ the War on the West’

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        David Maddison

        And the Left conveniently forget the extensive Arab Barbary raids on Europe to take at least 1 million slaves.

        The slavers went as far as Ireland and Iceland.

        All mostly written out of history today. It doesn’t suit the racist Leftist narrative against the West and white people.

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        • #

          The white slave trade was covered extensively in the book ‘white gold’

          Many of them were taken from my home towns beaches. The local churches tried to buy them back. They were destroyed by our admiral pellew at the battle of Algiers , there is a wonderful painting of that by Thomas luny. Both lived in my home town. It is a story little known these days. Curiously my mother always used to say to my sister ‘ don’t stay out late or the white slave traders will get you’

          Of course we laughed at that but they would have been a reality only two generations previous to hers and there was obviously a folk memory.

          Bearing in mind there are some 45 million slaves worldwide today you would think the left would want to liberate them rather than tear down statues of people who lived over 200 years ago.

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        • #
          David Maddison

          It was also the raids on US merchant ships, holding sailors for ransom or enslavement that led to the United States’ first foreign war but that’s a discussion for the next unthreaded.

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        • #
          Earl

          June 20, 1631, Baltimore, County Cork, Ireland was attacked by Algerian corsairs (pirates active in the slave trade) with between 100-200 citizens taken and sold into slavery in the Ottoman Empire. The raid has become known as “The Sack of Baltimore” with much written about it including a poem by Thomas Osborne Davis.

          The enduring subliminal memory to this and other such events comes in the form of the saying “the coast is clear”.

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            Earl

            Interesting poem. There are also a variety of paintings which many cite as being example of the slave trade but they fail to realise it is depicting the white slave trade and the principals in it are Arab and black slave traders

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      Deano

      The truth about slavery is a subject which comes as a total surprise to those who have only ever heard the popular version of events.

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      • #
        tonyb

        Deano. You are right. Many people seem convinced that slavery only started with the Europeans. It has unfortunately gone on throughout human history with Arabs and African nations often to the fore. Having said that, younger people don’t seem to be taught history or context and perhaps imagine our forefathers lived just like, us less smartphones and i-pads. In realty, until very recent centuries a great deal of the population were little better than slaves.

        It mystifies me the way past wrongs from centuries ago are so central whilst current slavery is mostly ignored.

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  • #
    AZ1971

    Jo replies: I would hope that the influence of the Commonwealth would grow rather than recede, and with Brexit, it seemed so obvious to renew the Commonwealth as a trading and cultural union.

    It makes sense to me that the first people post-Brexit should be (a) the United States and (b) fellow Commonwealth entities. Why hasn’t that been pursued more meaningfully?

    To the loss of the queen yesterday:
    I am neither British by blood or birthright. I am 50 years old, and I silently cried listening to various commentators online speak glowingly about the profound loss of the queen. I did so, because of what she represented: dignity, strength, duty, honor, sacrifice … all things sorely lacking in today’s society, and I fear will soon be lost forever as the Greatest Generation continues to die off. I look at today’s generations — self-absorbed, lacking inquisition, narcissistic, entitled — and compare their typical behaviour to that of the queen, and lament I’m far too young to see society having deteriorated so much, so quickly.

    God bless the queen. And may God keep Charles from f—ing up the monarchy.

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      The problem is that Biden has Irish ancestry and actively dislikes Britain. He is also annoyed about our leaving the EU. Put both together and he has no wish for a closer trade relationship. With us.

      As for the commonwealth it would seem a good idea for everyone to get together as it could easily be the worlds largest free trade bloc.

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    mondopinion

    And I liked her even more when it was quite clear that the liked and enjoyed President Trump.

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    David Maddison

    When patriotism and pride in one’s Queen and cointry was considered normal rather than an aberration I remember at school in NSW there was a flag raising ceremony every day and the singing of “God Save the Queen”. I think at some point it became once per week and then not at all.

    There was also a pledge. “I honour my God; I serve my Queen; I salute my flag.”

    Today you would be considered “racist”, “far right” or some other absurd slur of the Left if you believed in or practiced any of those things.

    Now a sacrifice, preferably human, to Gaia would be considered acceptable.

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      David-of-Cooyal-in-Oz

      I was in my final (5th then) year of high school in 1954 when she visited Newcastle and was driven around an assembly of kids from the local schools, held at the local sports ground. She gave us the Royal wave as she passed. As it was February I guess I was more interested in getting up to Bar Beach to catch a wave afterwards.
      The continuity from George Vi to her went smoothly and everyone seemed to manage the change of the anthem, from King to Queen, quite quickly, so I think the Brits will manage this time too.

      The Queen is dead. Long live the King.

      Cheers
      Dave B

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    David Maddison

    King Charles’ Welsh language tutor, Dr Edward Millward was a favourite of Charles but an anti-monarchist.

    I hope he didn’t influence King Charles against the monarchy.

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  • #
    David Maddison

    I can’t find the full text of President Trump’s tribute to The Queen, but there are some excerpts here.

    https://nypost.com/2022/09/08/trump-pays-tribute-to-grand-and-beautiful-queen-elizabeth-ii/

    Former President Donald Trump paid his respects to the late British Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, writing in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform that “there was nobody like her.”

    “Melania and I are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the 45th president began. “Together with our family and fellow Americans, we send our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the people of the United Kingdom during this time of great sorrow and grief.”

    “Queen Elizabeth’s historic and remarkable reign left a tremendous legacy of peace and prosperity for Great Britain,” Trump continued. “Her leadership and enduring diplomacy secured and advanced alliances with the United States and countries around the world. However, she will always be remembered for her faithfulness to her country and her unwavering devotion to her fellow countrymen and women. Melania and I will always cherish our time together with the Queen, and never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom, and wonderful sense of humor. What a grand and beautiful lady she was—there was nobody like her!”

    SEE LINK FOR REST

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  • #
    another ian

    House of Commons tributes

    https://youtu.be/JhRnxhtDwlw

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    Bozotheclown

    As a Yank I can’t explain why her passing is so deeply affecting me but it is.

    She was so much to be aspired to, smarter than many, calmer than most (as far as I know), and wise.

    Everything you’d want for a matriarch.

    May she rest in peace….

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      Tides of Mudgee

      Thank you Bozo. It means a lot to those of us who have been brought up with the Queen as our Head of State. She has been our constant and I feel strangely bereft and hugely saddened by her death. To hear how moved you are, as an American, is praise indeed. ToM

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    Harbottle Grimston was the last Head of State of the Republic of England.

    General George Monck entered London on 2 February 1660, and in April elections were held for a Convention Parliament. After the election, George Monck, the man of the hour, symbolically dragged Sir Harbottle Grimston to the Speaker’s chair, effectively making him the Head of State of the Republic. On May 25, 1660, King Charles landed at Dover, and on May 28, the Commons resolved to deface the Great Seal of the Republic. Accordingly, and on the day before Charles entered London, the offending seal was forthwith delivered to Sir Harbottle Grimston, the speaker and Head of State of the Republic, and being laid up on the clerk’s table, a smith was sent for, who broke it in pieces while the House was sitting. This symbolised the end of the Republic, and on the next day 29 May, when Charles reached the Palace of Whitehall Banqueting House, he met the Speaker of the Commons, Sir Harbottle Grimston, who greeted him with a speech hailing his assumption of his royal office and assuring him of Parliament’s loyalty. Harbottle Grimston then kissed the king’s hand officially ending the Republic.

    So it was (1) James I to Charles I (2) Harbottle Grimston to Charles II, and (3) Elizabeth II to Charles III

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    b.nice

    The Queen has been the rock that held the British and related countries together over many years.

    A gracious and resolute figurehead.

    She will be sadly missed. 🙁

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    another ian

    “God Save The King officially sung for the first time in living memory.”

    https://www.michaelsmithnews.com/2022/09/god-save-the-king-officially-sung-for-the-first-time-in-living-memory.html

    I just got aged considerably then!

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      David-of-Cooyal-in-Oz

      I feel Ok today. Will do some sort of test of life in the morning and also a memory test. Unless I forget, which is not unprecedented.
      Cheers
      Dave B.

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    another ian

    “Rex Murphy: Queen Elizabeth II was an anchor in an angry and unsettled era

    A true personification of the idea of duty and through the entire 70 years of her reign”

    https://nationalpost.com/opinion/rex-murphy-queen-elizabeth-ii-was-an-anchor-in-an-angry-and-unsettled-era/

    Via SDA

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    cadger

    But as he turned 70, Charles insisted his meddling would not continue when he acceded to the throne.

    “No, it won’t. I’m not that stupid,” he told a BBC documentary in 2018.

    https://uk.news.yahoo.com/charles-insists-not-stupid-carry-183235330.html

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    Geoffrey Williams

    ‘Perhaps Britain should have tried to keep Hong Kong’ Sorry but a ridiculous idea both from a legal perspective and a practical concept of war with China. Britain could never have won such a war. Yes there are still many Chinese around the world who would disagree and one hears such mutterings regularly from the wealthy class who got out with their money. Hong Kong is China . .

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    John+PAK

    There are old photographs of Elizabeth Windsor in Army uniform working on cars with colleagues when she was 18 and they remind me of pictures of my mother working on aircraft in a similar role. Many women became drivers and I believe Elizebeth did ambulance driver training. My mother used to deliver the Red Suit-case to the King at Buckingham Palace and drive messages across London during bombing raids when the telephone lines were down.
    My parents developed huge respect for Elizabeth staying in London and persuading her father to allow her to serve like any other citizen. Elizabeth had her heart in the right place and down the years was an example to many ordinary folk like us. She spent all of the war years as a teenager living under threat of NAZI occupation and I guess that was a formative time for her.

    By contrast her children lived in an era of increasing wealth and never knew that ever-present danger.

    I feel grateful for my anonymity and privacy as I walk down a Sydney street and I enjoy a sense of creativity and self worth when I see the houses I built for my family. Perhaps Prince Andrew, who is the same age as myself, would feel more of a complete person if he took up a real job. He certainly proved he was capable during The Falklands conflict.

    Under King Charles’ reign I’d like to see peripheral royals integrating into the community to some degree. They might earn respect from the people just as Princes Elizabeth did in 1944.

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