To think most 84 year olds do not have such a busy weekend

[enimmead]

I am not a supporter of the Monarchy but I am very impressed that an 84 year old has the energy to go to the races, spend a day in the rain going up the Thames and do everything else she has done this last month.

I know my Gran couldn't do that - much happier with her feet up watching Countdown with a pot of tea.

She didn't choose to be Queen though did she.

That's OK, mudspies, neither did we choose her. Therein the problem lies.

She did. She could have abdicated like her uncle if she wanted.

She's lived a cosseted, privileged and pampered life of luxury. Why wouldn't she be doing well for her age, with the best of everything all her life?

Myers-Briggs is a personality profiling tool and each of the four letters means something but basically ISTJ, my type and the Queen's (supposedly) means she's an introvert and would rather be reading a book or watching TV at home than interacting with more than one or two other people...let alone a million!

touché

She has been fabulous today, and she does work hard. I can't imagine it is easy to be interested in everyone she meets and she is notoriously frugal.

All of you dissing the Queen - are you aware she (and her husband) served in WW2? How have YOU served your country?
Personally, I believe that the monarchy bring a lot of visitors to our country, and let's face it, 60 years in the same job, meeting strangers, having to put a public 'face' on every time she goes out and being critiqued on every single thing she does or doesn't do is good going.
Sure, she has staff, but so do many other people. Cleaners? Nannies? Gardeners? I'd like to bet at least some of you have at least one of these.
With your extra bank holiday because of the Diamond Jubilee, will you be working as normal, or perhaps volunteering your time if the monarchy is so bad? Or maybe enjoying the extra time off?

Hear hear GingerWrath!

She has never had to worry if she can afford fresh fruit and veg as well as "filling" food.. She doesn't have to carry her shopping home. Any little ailment, will be seen to straight away. I bet her shoes are good quality and comfy.

She might have had a sense of duty instilled in her to be queen, so at a young age felt she had to, I supopose; but still led a priveledged life. And she had her own mind so could have abdicated. (I suppose fear of being ostrasized from family might stop any monarch doing that)

For the people who say she does fuck all, does she do fuck all in the same way that an Ambassador does fuck all? Because I've never heard anyone bang on endlessly about how being an Ambassador isn't a proper job. Ambassadors also have lots of staff rushing around doing things for them, get paid lots and live in amazing houses, but people also don't bang on about them being parasites who have their arses wiped for them.

Weird.

Served in WW2? Oh really? On the front lines, Phillip, was he, in real peril at any time at all? I think not. And herself dressing up in a uniform in the last few months of the war and driving a truck around is hardly serving in the way most 84 year olds (some of whom have to choose between heat and food on occasion) did.

And even if they had, so what? They've still lived lived of unimaginable comfort while some of their subjects are in poverty. who gives a fuck what they did 65 years ago?

I have comfortable shoes, and don't have to worry (these days, although have had my fair share of it - and hten some- earlier in life) about buying food and paying bills.

I have had help, some of the time (cleaners, gardeners, nannies).

But I bloody wouldn't want her job - I doubt I could do it now (at 35) let alone when I am 86. I have had to do a fair bit of standing about smiling and being interested and 'on show/on parade' for various reasons.

It's bloody knackering.

She was subject to the same rationing as everyone else during WWII! I will second that notion, she was a truck driver and mechanic during the war, she has served her country!

Sure she was. Bet she queued all day for her egg.

Not sure what planet you people are on, actually.

She had servants to queue, but she still had ration books!

Such great privilege also bring great responsibliity and duty. Ok she has never had to worry about paying the gas bill but neither has her life been a bed of roses.

She has spent 60 years with every aspect of her life on show. Everything she has said or done is open for us to pick holes in. She cant wake up one morning and pull a sickie if she fancies a day off. She cant say sod off to anyone who is getting on her nerves and fuck off back to bed with a copy of Bella. Hell she doesn't even get christmas day off. She has to meet and greet people she probably has no interest in and her whole life is serving the country in the way she was brought to to do.

Even now at 86 she is still on duty and will be until the day she dies. Be honest with yourself and think would you swap your life for hers?

As i know i wouldn;t even if it did mean i didn't need to ever do my own washing again.

My Nan is in her late 90's and still does everything for herself, sure she walks with a stick but she still gets about.

A planet where I have done a fraction of what she has to - day in, day out.

I've lived a life where you go to this state opening followed by that reception, followed by a visit to a charity/hospital/orphanage. then a couple of interviews (granted she doesn't do those), and a dinner/another recption/formal event in the evening.

it is bloody knackering (I too would rather be at home with a book and a G&T). not knackering in the same way as working in a physical job for 12 hours a day (been there, done that too) but still knackering.

and I certainly wouldn't want to be doing it at her age.

I agree with you OP, she looked bloody freezing on that boat, and was standing up the whole way so people could still see her under the canopy, rather than site down to be comfortable.

I don't get this whole "All she does is smile and wave" crap, she does loads of paperwork, is very involved in the planning of events, and is pretty much always on duty. At 86, that's quite a lot.
Yes of course she has an easy life and doesn't have to worry about practicalities, but so do many wealthy people. Unless the grumps add a "PS I don't believe anyone should live a life of privilege and ease" it just seems sour grapes.

If you don't like it, it would make more sense to attack the monarchy, not the monarch. She has no power to dissolve the monarchy afaik?

I think some of you lot are being very harsh.
She has to spend most of her time talking polite bollocks to what are probably some very boring people as well as smiling and actually looing like she gives a fig.
All in posh clothes and heels and having to look nice at all times, nott being able to say shit, as well as a lot of travelling and standing at not exactly a young age.
Id rather have my job than hers , i bloody hate dealing with people , especially when i cant tell them to feck off after a while. If i were queen id probably be more likely to "shout off with their heads" than , oh yes , how are you lord so and so and Lady whatsyourname...such a nice day blah blah.

I think the queen is brilliant. She does work hard, her life isn't a bed of roses. Yes she has servants but I bet she has her own kitchen to make stuff. She has a full day every day and although she jets around the world it is to represent our country. Have you ever heard of her having a relaxing holiday? No, because she couldn't go to normal places like the rest of us. Yes she has a lot of money, but money isn't everything. She has represented our country for the last 60 years which is a huge responsibility, as a young woman she served in the forces as a mechanic.

And yes, I bet you are all going to enjoy the extra days holiday in her honour. (I won't as I have to work but I would love to be off and able to celebrate a bit)

My grandma is 73 and she does a 4 mile walk a few times a week, is treasurer of the 'Old Girls Society', runs a hearing helpline in our town, she does something important (events organiser??) for the U3A, attends no less than 3 choral societies and she volunteers for our tiny cinema. And that's all fitted in around seeing family, friends and caring for her 86yo husband! Oh she takes German and Italian classes too.

The royals aren't allowed to show affection in public are they? That's why it was a big thing when Will and Kate kissed when they got married.

If you think about it, it must be quite sad being a royal. Not being able to do normal everyday stuff.

oiwheresthecoffee - I don't think anyone in their true mind would rather do their job. It must be bloody boring wasting your brains waving politely and feigning interest. But that's besides the point. I think the point was if it's a hard life. And that it ain't, anyone in a good pair of Clarke's could do it.

'And herself dressing up in a uniform in the last few months of the war and driving a truck around is hardly serving in the way most 84 year olds (some of whom have to choose between heat and food on occasion) did.'

She was 13 when the second world war broke out.
How many women served on the front lines?
Ans she joined the ATS when she was 18 and legally able to...