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´s not the only person to have led a cossetted live with servants & no money problems.

But I bet not many of them did work of any sort in their 80s!

The way the economy is going, we'll all be working in our 80s. Group hug.

Cunny it's got nowt to do with being Royal, when they are in Military uniform they are not allowed to hold hand, put their arms round their spouse. My DH is in the military and cannot hold my hand or kiss me when he has his head dress on.

Anyone that was able to during WW2 pretty much did help. Since probably most of us weren't around during WW2 - or at least were very, very young - no, we can't say we fought for our country

What do you want to hear? She works hard for her money

It's not sour grapes to refuse to respect someone who has been pampered and looked after all their lives. Yes, I'm sure there's tons of stories about what a feisty, independent, roll-up-up-her-sleeves kinda gal she is. But she has never, ever, ever had to live through the stresses of her "subjects", has she? She will always be protected, always looked after. How that equates me giving me personal respect and admiration to her, I'm not quite sure.

This is really one of the reasons I am a republican. Apart from the whole making-a-mockery-of-democracy thing, is it fair on one person to spend their entire life doing something they have choice about doing?

If Kate and William produce, that baby will never have a realistic choice about what to do with its life. Can you imagine that for your child? Of course there are perks - great healthcare, money, education - but the pressure on that person to be perfect, and on his or her mother to be perfect. In any other job/culture/country, you'd say it was cruel.

And God forbid the Queen, or Charles, or William ever go a bit senile in their old age.

She was the ultimate working mum, before working mums existed!

She was the ultimate working mum, before working mums existed!

Love it!
I think she's brilliant.

My grandmother was a working mum, with four children in a two-roomed flat having lost her husband. My mother raised her siblings while her mother cleaned hospitals.

Working mums are not a modern invention.

she has 4 children, that in it's self would of weaken any womens body.

I think an 86 year old still working in amazing, she will never be able fully to retire, even if she gives up the throne

"She was the ultimate working mum, before working mums existed!"

What utter horseshit. Working mums have always existed, with most not having a choice. Leaving your pampered children with an army of nannies and servants while you leave the country for a couple of months is not being the ultimate working mum.
Moronic.

At that age my nan was always doing stuff and travelling the world. Until she broke her hip Very hard to watch her deteriorate until she passed away - at 98.

My other nan was 82 yesterday - we had a party which she sat down through! My nan says she's doing great - she just has heart failure She would not cope with everything the queen has done this weekend.

Guess it depends on the person and you have to consider how much care and support the Queen gets behind the scenes.

My nan (the one who passed away at 98) did some duty in WW2 (was an evacuee in WW1!) - she was an auxillary nurse.

No, most older people I know would not be up to this amount of activity - INCLUDING those who have been stay at home mums, not working outside the house, people (for those who will role out the old "they do nothing" stuff)

DH's grandad is the same age as Prince Phillip and no way could he have done it all. Poor man can hardly walk anywhere these days, needs oxygen at home, etc. Prince Phillip looks years younger.

Moronic? That's lovely! She was a working mum in the 50's when it was completely uncommon!

Lol at her being first working mum.

Anyone who thinks the queen's role just involves waving is rather ignorant in my opinion.

Being dismissive of the royal family is one thing, but the rest is nonsense.

Haha. First working mum. You can't even blame the sun today for coming up with that one.

Not the first, that's not what I said! My Nan is 86, she had 7 kids, she has never worked because her job was to bring up the children, because that wad the done thing, and they are very much working class!

First working woman - hahaha!

My nana was widowed at 24 with three young daughters - she cleaned houses from 6am - 5pm in 50's. Respect and love the queen all you like for all your own reasons...but don't use this one, it's laughable and completely untrue.

My mum (79) certainly couldn't do what she does.

To be honest, I don't know if I could either All that smiling, waving, shaking hands, being nice to people and making small-talk to strangers would do me in!

RE READ MY POST, I NEVER SAID SHE WAS THE FIRST WORKING MUM! Jeepers!

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GingerWrath Sun 03-Jun-12 21:13:02

She was the ultimate working mum, before working mums existed!

So if before is not the first...what is it?

Ok I will rephrase, she was the ultimate working mum before working mums were the norm, better?

you did though. Someone who is something before that thing existed is obviously the first one to do something.

Working mothers have never been particularly uncommon. For a short period if may have become more common for women to have stayed at home with their children, thats about all. And I wouldn't call her working either.

Working mothers have been common throughout history. That aside, I have no idea what would make her an "ultimate" one.