to be quite touched by Prince Charles's delight with his home movies?

[FiftyShadesOfBunting]

Its so lovely. And so relatively normal.

And bollox to the royal haterz.

[slartybartfast]

oh, it coincides with her official birthday on 4th June,
that explains it

[BalloonSlayer]

Why is the Diamond Jubilee being celebrated now?

She became Queen in Feb 1952, Coronation June 1953?

Because she does not want to make a celebration of what is to her, the anniversary of her Father's death. She always spends the anniversary of her accession/his death quietly, remembering him.

Having the main event in June means it can be removed from her father's death for her, and also makes better sense in terms of weather.

[Whitershadeofpale]

I heard that she won't celebrate on accession day as to her it's the anniversary of her father's death and a therefore not a joyful time.

[HelloCheeky]

I am absolutely not at all a monarchist but did watch this programme with real interest. Anybody with any interest in social history would do so. Although I do not support the institution of monarchy this was an absolutely fascinating as an illustration if how British society has changed.

I think it is also possible to admire a person whilst deploring their role. I do admire the queen. Why do we demand that she expresses her feelings to strangers in ways that we think are appropriate ? It has become recently fashionable to emote publically as a mark of sincerity. My parents didn't do this, but I didn't doubt that they loved me, ever. The films shown last night plus the letters in the itv programme show that there is a great deal of affection in the family. But, why should she have to display this ?

[Portofino]

Because she is being judged by today's standards which seem to involve splashing your intimate family life all over the papers.

[Portofino]

To me, even if you don't like the monarchy, you have to respect the Queen. She really does believe that she is doing her God given duty - and I think she has never waivered from that. I loved the Andrew Marr book - the Diamond Queen. He said that he started that with a republican view point and he completely changed his opinion after seeing how hard she worked and the benefits to the UK that come frrom that.

[Portofino]

She likes watching soaps and drinks over the govt guidelines apparently. I can't imagine being in my 80s and still having to host dinners for foreign dignatories when you would probably rather being having a G&T in your slippers and watching EastEnders...

[BalloonSlayer]

I always felt sorry for her at the time when Diana died. I think she was trying to do her best. The way those two poor boys had to get dragged out to meet and thank members of the public crying crocodile tears, who had never known or even met their mother, just to appease some bastard tabloid newspapers makes my blood boil to this day.

[Portofino]

Balloon - quite. And she had spoken to the Spencer family who were insistent that it was treated as a family matter. Agree that it was awful they were forced to grieve in public.

[diddl]

Yes, I thought after I posted it was a sort of amalgam of the two things.

I agree about the Diana thing.

The boys were with their father & only(?) GPs.

Where else should they have been?

And why should the public tell them how to grieve for an ex wife, ex dil & the mother of young boys?

There never seem to be GPs other than the Royal ones one the scene-I think this will change if W&K have children.

[BartletForAmerica]

To be fair, Diana's father died in 1992 and Diana had a difficult relationship with her mother, often estranged from one another.

I thought the reaction of the press was awful. "Where are you, ma'am?" while she was in Scotland, still in the UK, trying to comfort her grieving grandchildren.

[MsKittyFane]

Loved this! I didn't know this was on OP, I've just watched it on iplayer.
It's obvious that they are privileged - she's the Queen of England for God's sake. However in the 40's and 50's many people looked like this- little boys in jacket and tie etc. It reminds me of cini film I have of my Grandparents. (the only difference being they didn't actually own the parks/ properties/ ships featured in their films! :o)

[lovebunny]

loved it. he's a sweetie.

[PorkyandBess]

I just watched this in the bath - it was absolutely lovely.

[EnjoyResponsibly]

Fantastic film, I found Charles's joy utterly compelling and welled up at several parts. One of the truly absorbing elements of the Diamond celebrations.

[diddl]

"To be fair, Diana's father died in 1992 and Diana had a difficult relationship with her mother, often estranged from one another."

I hadn´t bothered to check dates but I knew that Diana´s father died when the boys were young & that her mother was abroad.

But I was thinking for example of all "the Royals" getting together at Christmas.

When do the other GPs get a turn?

[Chubfuddler]

Sophie wessex's parents are invited for Christmas at sandringham every year apparently.

[diddl]

Oh, didn´t know that.

I suppose it doesn´t get that much reported as the media focuses more on the Royals.

[Rowgtfc72]

Just wondered though, we heard from all the royals, children and grandchildren. Where was Edward ? He seems to have vanished.

[FashionEaster]

Friend of my made the same point yesterday and didn't notice Edward there today.

[FashionEaster]

Although Edward is going to Gibraltar in June which is why Queen Sofia turned down the invitation to the Jubilee Heads of State lunch.

[seeker]

Why was it only Dharles and Anne in all the home movies? Where were Andrew and Edward? Very odd indeed.

[thatisall]

I thought he was very sweet, and Princess Margaret was so gorgeous. It her Maj was all smily until she reached the publiv=c and then put on the stiff upper lip....soooooo English.

I wish I HAD A BOAT WITH A SLIDE!!

It did open my eyes a little bit and made me consider all the amazing people who she has met/knows and the insights she must have.

[diddl]

"Why was it only Dharles and Anne in all the home movies? Where were Andrew and Edward? Very odd indeed."

Because it was his childhood memories & due to the age difference, A&E probably weren´t born at that time.

(I think Andrew is at least 10yrs younger)