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 works, hard for an 86 year old! And I am sure pedants corner is elsewhere!

But during WW2, when all the men were away at war, who do you think took on all the "men" jobs? Women. And it's likely an awful lot of those women were mothers.

It's just an insult to say that, that's all - to all those women that did work, that worked their fingers to the bone, for their country when their country needed it and much later on, when circumstance dictated it.

Not to mention the women who worked as nurses in the wars.

"ultimate" implies she did something amazing and special above and beyond other working mothers - no, don't buy it and agree it's insulting.

During the war, yes, including HRH, but when the country got back to 'normal' in the fifties, working women ere in the minority.

Just finished reading a book about a nurses experiences of working in the Second World War actually in the middle of the fighting - now that was admirable.

holding the queen up as an example of working motherhood is an insult to the millions of women who actually do that. As well as the ones that don't.
She has a life of luxury unparalleled, she's never known a days true stress in her life.

i think it must be awfully shit having to live your life out in public. especially as someone so visibly introverted.

imagine your dad dies when you're twenty-something and instead of being able to weep, wail, get shitfaced at the wake with your closest friends and fam and then have a good few months of moping, you have to take on yet more public engagements and duties, wear suits, be photographed, swear oaths, meet PMs, travel around the world to please millions of people you've never met, many of whom you know probably resent your very existence?

imagine every baby you have is scrutinised, criticised, mocked, tutted at, made a show of etc. for their entire lives? imagine being photographed for posterity as you leave the hosp fgs.

yes she's wealthy, lucky her, her family gained that wealth through politics and relationships and warfare and a lot of personal sacrifice. no normal family life, everything a bloody song and dance and no room to make your own destiny.

it's nice for her that she's rich, but i wouldn't be able to do what she does. i would rather be poor, anonymous and able to make my own way through life without the expectations of millions placed upon me.

Ultimate as in she left her children for 5 months when it wasn't the done thing but it was what she was advised to do....now a know many mums who are deployed for up to 6 months away from their children, because they HAVE TO!

Gingerwrath - women were working before the war too. They really were.

Gingerwrath you're just reaching now.

Like I said, respect and adore her for all manner of reasons that you believe in, but don't try to make out like on those parameters, she is anything different or special or amazing. All those women that sent their children away for the most of the war, who worked, who kept the industries going, who went away because they were nurses...It's not pedantry - it's showing respect to all those women that did the same, and more.

Ginger - please read some history about working women. Being away for 5 months whilst your children lived in luxury does not begin to compare to real working women's experience throughout history.

" she's never known a days true stress in her life."

See, that is just so not true. It might not be stress related to her own finances but can guarantee she has had stressful times in terms of her role/job!

Was the bum wiper comment for real? Would the person come into the cubicle with her? Does she use facilities when she's out all day?

It's not something I've thought about before!

Bless her though today. I wouldn't want to stand for that long .

iirc early 1900s women made up about a third of the work force and this wasnt doing jobs like the queen with child care like the queen had.

read this for a start

Right, bowing out now because I am a 'forinner' and I need to brush up on my history.. Over to you local people with local knowledge!

The queen did indeed have the same rationing as everyone else in the country. Granted she didn't do the queuing up but she self imposed herself to the same rations - she actually chose to have rationing for herself as she felt it was the right thing to do. She didn't have to have rationing I don't think.

And there are many people in this country who have had similar levels of luxury but without the role of head of state to go with it, especially women.

And there are many women of that age who have had luxury surrounding them who would not be able to keep up.

And no - noone does go into a toilet with her. She does however, when using the facilities out and about, have someone who stands outside the door for a while after she has been - sad really that this has to happen as we can't trust the media not to print something inappropriate!

She has a hugely privileged life but even so I cannot imagine having a job that is so totally consuming that it governs every aspect of your life and is one from which you cannot retire, ever.

Hulababy - why does someone stay outside the loo after the queen has been? Is it in case that second flush is needed?

joanofnark you describing posters as moronic is hypocritical when type complete and utter wank such as the queen having her bum wiped for her. Chip on you shoulder much?

And fwiw I wiped arses of women far younger than the queen being a nurse. I very much doubt HRH would employ someone to wipe hers. It is probably the most undignified experience for anyone, and the queen, if nothing else, is dignified.

Yanbu im sure she was frozen today bet she is tucked up in bed with a hot water bottle and a

I think that many people who are live in this country need to think about the country they are living in. I am proud of my country/heritage/history which a large proportion is to do with the Royal family (which many world wide are envious of).

Whilst I understand the thinking about them being privileged/born into it rather than earning it - they do work bloody hard at everything they do! When was the last time you have to ensure that you were perfectly turned out at every moment, ensured that you didn't do a smelly fart, ensured that you followed rules laid out hundreds of years ago that were truly out of date without being able to voice your opinion?

I am not a Royalist in the true sense, but I do believe that as a country we will be poorer in every sense if we were a republic

The Queen has to keep up to date on every single boring bit of news and current affairs. Can you imagine how boring that is, especially for someone of her age.