Happy Birthday queenie

[union city blue]

You can't help who you like and I like the Queen. She's a remarkable woman.

I think the concept of monarchy is outdated however and should pass when she does.

You might like her. That is, of course, up to you. But in what way could she possibly be described as 'remarkable'? I honestly can't think of a single remarkable thing she's ever done other than live an exceptionally privileged life and manage to look sour and miserable whilst doing so.

 

[bumbleblue]

Happy birthday Ma'am !

 

[gordondaviesmoustache]

You might like her. That is, of course, up to you. But in what way could she possibly be described as 'remarkable'? I honestly can't think of a single remarkable thing she's ever done other than live an exceptionally privileged life and manage to look sour and miserable whilst doing so.

I think she's displayed a level of dedication and duty beyond what would have been expected of her in 1952. In doing so she has advanced the role of monarchy in an attempt (I guess) to make it more durable and has achieved that goal. Like any other human being with power, her main objective is to retain it, but she's done that in a highly skilled and adroit manner imo.

She's incredibly well regarded on the international stage and is a highly gifted diplomat. Most certainly she pays her way in that regard.

Quite simply, you don't remain in power and retain the degree of popularity that rests with her without being a remarkable person.

It will be almost impossible for any of her successors to even begin to emulate that feat.

 

[mat]

A German Immigrant who's the biggest scrounger of the state having their birthday celebrated nationally. You'd expect UKIP to be all over it....

 

[union city blue]

I think she's displayed a level of dedication and duty beyond what would have been expected of her in 1952. In doing so she has advanced the role of monarchy in an attempt (I guess) to make it more durable and has achieved that goal. Like any other human being with power, her main objective is to retain it, but she's done that in a highly skilled and adroit manner imo.

She's incredibly well regarded on the international stage and is a highly gifted diplomat. Most certainly she pays her way in that regard.

Quite simply, you don't remain in power and retain the degree of popularity that rests with her without being a remarkable person.

It will be almost impossible for any of her successors to even begin to emulate that feat.

I think a lot of your points are highly subjective.

She has advanced the role of the monarchy and made it more durable? I think that is highly debatable. I think the monarchy is now as unpopular as it has ever been. Whilst I think a large proportion of the blame for this can be laid at the door of her family as a whole, I think it is undoubtedly the case that there exists a larger proportion of the population who would happily see the UK as a republic than at any time before. I accept that this is probably still not a majority of the population of the UK, but it is sizeable. In fact, I suspect that an equally large proportion of the population's attitude to the Queen and her family is one of indifference. They might not dislike her and they may not want rid of the monarchy, but they are not enthused by her.

She's retained power in a highly skilled and adroit manner? She is a highly gifted diplomat? Again, highly subjective opinion of her abilities.

I'm disappointed. I thought you might come back with some concrete examples of when she has been 'remarkable'. I genuinely cannot think of a single instance.

 

[kinkyblue]

I think she's displayed a level of dedication and duty beyond what would have been expected of her in 1952. In doing so she has advanced the role of monarchy in an attempt (I guess) to make it more durable and has achieved that goal. Like any other human being with power, her main objective is to retain it, but she's done that in a highly skilled and adroit manner imo.

She's incredibly well regarded on the international stage and is a highly gifted diplomat. Most certainly she pays her way in that regard.

Quite simply, you don't remain in power and retain the degree of popularity that rests with her without being a remarkable person.

It will be almost impossible for any of her successors to even begin to emulate that feat.

341 engagements in the last year! Pretty good for a ninety year old isn't ?

 

[Sam Armstrong]

I think a lot of your points are highly subjective.

She has advanced the role of the monarchy and made it more durable? I think that is highly debatable. I think the monarchy is now as unpopular as it has ever been. Whilst I think a large proportion of the blame for this can be laid at the door of her family as a whole, I think it is undoubtedly the case that there exists a larger proportion of the population who would happily see the UK as a republic than at any time before. I accept that this is probably still not a majority of the population of the UK, but it is sizeable. In fact, I suspect that an equally large proportion of the population's attitude to the Queen and her family is one of indifference. They might not dislike her and they may not want rid of the monarchy, but they are not enthused by her.

She's retained power in a highly skilled and adroit manner? She is a highly gifted diplomat? Again, highly subjective opinion of her abilities.

I'm disappointed. I thought you might come back with some concrete examples of when she has been 'remarkable'. I genuinely cannot think of a single instance.

Roundhead!!!

Mind you, after putting a fiver in her card, if I'm not SIR Sam by this time next year I may switch allegiances!

 

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

Quite simply, you don't remain in power and retain the degree of popularity that rests with her without being a remarkable person.

You do if you don't have to stand for an election, ever, to remain in power.

I'm with Morrissey on this one ;)

 

[kaz7]

Her job has been to be queen following her dads death and she has done it very well,to get to 90 is an achievement for anyone,good luck to her

 

[Blue&whitestripes]

I think she's displayed a level of dedication and duty beyond what would have been expected of her in 1952. In doing so she has advanced the role of monarchy in an attempt (I guess) to make it more durable and has achieved that goal. Like any other human being with power, her main objective is to retain it, but she's done that in a highly skilled and adroit manner imo.

She's incredibly well regarded on the international stage and is a highly gifted diplomat. Most certainly she pays her way in that regard.

Quite simply, you don't remain in power and retain the degree of popularity that rests with her without being a remarkable person.

It will be almost impossible for any of her successors to even begin to emulate that feat.

She's remained "in power" (even though she's not supposed to have any real power) simply because she's lived to 90 in the outdated and backwards feudal system we have.

Happy birthday Liz. Now it's time for a republic.