The Queen is VERY elderly. I think people almost forget this.

[ChicChicChicChiclana]

Yes, she is 5 years younger than her husband who is still alive.

And she is 7 years or so younger than her mother was when she died.

But she's 93, nearly 94!!

In my middle class well cared for and generally healthy extended family, the longest lived have been 93 and 95. Most elderly relatives die in their 80s (no complaints here, that's still a very fair innings).

But HRH still gets out of the house, without walking aids, and puts in a public appearance more often than not.

She's extraordinary. Does anyone else here have a 93 year old in their family who is equally sprightly?

So? Are we supposed to be sympathetic? She has the choice to step down at any time?

She chooses to continue in her role. She is not obliged at all. Not that I want Charles as King at all. But I'm wondering why op is surprised, or sympathetic, or commenting?

We have a relative who is 93 and is now bed bound and can not feed himself. Sharp as a tack in his mind but his body has stopped working basically. Very sharp decline within 2 years. Hard to think he's the same age as the queen who is doing remarkably well for her age.

My great grandmother was pretty sprightly at 93 but became ill and died at 94.

When I was fostering cats I had an old lady cat, she was 19. As you can imagine most people want a cat that has a few years life in them. This cat could also be a bit of a handful.

Anyway a lady and her mother came round to see the cat, mother was going to be 90 and was one of those immaculate, put together, make up perfect, hair done types and looked about 70.

She sat down and we put the cat on her knee, the cat settled down with a "this is where I should be" air.

Some people just seem to have good genes.

Obviously if you are royal you have people to do everything for you, as Queen, your main job is to be seen.

As for going out every day, I'm fairly sure I heard that she rides most days, that I find impressive.

My great grandma used yo dog the garden at 93, she was amazing

I know you corrected this typo after posting, but it still made me

Lol LittleYorkshireLass

I do think a pps point about n excellent diet is a good one.

We built this buffetOn Sausage Roll .Sorry, Earlier post explained my DGP had an aunt of 99 when he was 90 ! Aunts daughter died at 101! only in my 50s thankfully!

I had a great uncle who at 93 used to visit the "old folk" in hospital (those without any family to visit) he'd get the bus in & on the way home would get off a mile earlier than he needed to & walk the rest - if you passed & offered him a lift he'd refuse!

He lived in sheltered housing after my great aunt died & when they were renovating it he was moved to another complex that wasn't on a bus route so didn't get out as much & passed away shortly after his 95th birthday before moving back to his own place which I attribute partly to his limited social life while in the temporary complex.

While I admire the Queen let's not forget she could retire if she wanted to. She doesn't have to die on the throne.

I’d imagine it’s much easier to live a healthier, longer life with the best food, best medical care, no housing worries, no menial concerns. Frankly, if she wasn’t out horse riding at her age you’d have to wonder why with such a life of privilege

Her dad did die fairly young though. My grandma went on for a while (but she used to joke that she was too cranky to die young).

Of course the best of everything helps - but Princess Margaret seemed to over indulge and there are plenty of ‘rich folks’ who end up committing suicide or overdosing (although it seems to be more the kids of the the rich folks).

Still id rather have the ‘burden’ of being rich!

Queen Mother overindulged and lived to 101 (?) I think, I may be a couple of years out. Margaret was 71

Gin isn’t overindulging!

My grandmother used to have a friend who was in her nineties. She was unbelievable. Tall, slim and sprightly...she still had dark hair, maybe dyed? And used to wear full make up. She travelled abroad too independently. Lovely, gregarious lady. She probably had more energy than I have in my thirties.

My granny was pretty sprightly at 93. Not so much now that she's 100. Which really pisses her off. Still sharp as a tack but deaf as a post now. Which also really pisses her off.

@Lordfrontpaw it wasn't just gin! But apparently she was a very 'steady' drinker.

Margaret struck me as being an emotional one.

Most of my relatives made it to their 80s I’d say although I still have 3/4 grandparents alive, all in their seventies so fairly young for grandparents. I lost my last remaining great-grandparent last year, she was 98. I think she’s the oldest relative I have known of.

I say most made it to their seventies, that is since I’ve been alive. My Nan lost both of her parents and two of her older brothers in quick succession a few years before I was born. I think her parents were in their seventies but her brothers were only in their fifties. My Grandad died at 53 in 1997 which is young, he was unlucky enough to get lung cancer despite never smoking. Thought to be secondhand smoke from pubs.

She’s had very different stresses that most of us would never want. I’ll take cooking, cleaning and laundry any day over what she has to do.

Well I'll take not having to worry about if I'll lose my job, my home, my car over checking a few documents. And I'd certainly take never having to scrub a toilet bowl again over opening a fete or two etc etc

She won't abdicate because she firmly believes that god made her queen and you can't turn down a job from god. It's barmy. Beatrix in the Netherlands got to retirement age, having let her son have a few good years while his children grew up to enjoy being a father and learn the ropes of kingship, then abdicated and passed it on. There is no reason that the Queen in England couldn't do that. But god.

@PickleSarnie My granny was pretty sprightly at 93. Not so much now that she's 100. Which really pisses her off. Still sharp as a tack but deaf as a post now. Which also really pisses her off.

My grandpa was incredibly pissed off when he was finally told he couldn't drive any more at 99 years old, and had to move in with my mum. One of his friends wanted to visit him and he told them not to bother because "I'm not the man I used to be"!

He had 99 years of amazing health and being a completely strong, independent, BIG bloke. He had no interest in life once he couldn't be like that any more, and died a few months later.

Depressing when you see people like certain family members I have who are in the actual prime of their lives and just wasting it, doing nothing at all, moping around, feigning illness.

And I'd certainly take never having to scrub a toilet bowl again over opening a fete or two etc etc

Opening a fete or two. Lol.

It must be amazing to live your life never having to worry about money or do housework.

It must be amazing to live your life never having to worry about money or do housework.

But she has different type of stress. Constantly having stuff to do, places to be, people to meet, be on show.
Every time she goes to a function / event she must put work into it. Outfits, speach, hair, makeup, all while she's of an age when she'd probably rather be putting her feet up.

Was stress not partly what killed her father?

Most people her age, will have down sized into an easy to manage home or have homehelps to do the housework.
And even at the if they are doing stuff themselves they can potter along at their own pace.

Scarletblaize

You are correct. Genes also play a part.
Perhaps also personality.

But I am very jealous of a life without mundane worries.

Ha ha home helps to do the housework! not in this day and age.
You have to be very rich to afford help.
Even a cleaner is expensive.

Those saying a doctor is ;likely called at the hint of a sniffle, I reckon the Queen would give the a piece of her mind if they tried to do that!

I have a Aunt in her late 80's you would think she is in her 60's looks and agility. I also have a GM in mid 90s who lives independently, steep steps to her flat in London, food shops everyday. Sadly though her flat is leasehold and about to go into the hands of the difficult freeholder as the lease has only 5 years left and she wouldn't take advice.