to think the queen could make a bit more effort?

[twofingerstoGideon]

... sitting there looking so bored and grumpy last night. Even when the UK team did their parade she looked completely unenthusiastic. Make an effort, woman! We pay you enough.

Did no one else see Princess Anne and her hubby standing up when Team GB came in and waving their great big flag?

Oh I thought they were Zara's parents waving at their daughter when she came in with Team GB surprised granny didn't wave though

maybe the sight of the GB team made her emotional and she was looking down in order not to be filmed with tears in her eyes?

Fucking hell, if I had to sit through all that noise when I was 86 you bet your arse I would be looking grumpy.

But then, Morcaps you could think about all the millions and billions of pounds and all the jewelry and all the houses that the proles you couldn't be arsed not to look utterly bored out of your tree by had given you over the years, and perhaps that would cheer you up?

Agree with OP. This is supposed to be the whole fucking point of her, 'she has dedicated her life to her country selflessly' and all that nonsense.... All she had to do was not look disdainful and grouchy, you'd think she might have mastered that very small skill by now. All these 86 year old grannies who'd be tired - well they've probably worked a sight harder in their youth and middle age, haven't they?

Weird OPs about the Olympics. First, criticising Doreen Lawrence, and now it's the Queen for not acting like Russell Brand on acid.

But she is really old, perhaps she can't hold that smile for 4 hours.

Just being wealthy doesn't actually totally over come old age you know. She has been smiling for years.

I wouldn't be, it would all be a bit more off with their heads if I was in charge.

She could just have looked politely interested, couldn't she? For all that money?

I agree with Steaming.
She has had a life of privilege. She has never waited for a bus in the rain or walked home with heavy shopping bags, done a hard days work or even cooked a dinner for her family. Everything is done for her, she lives a life of luxury - she doesn't even dress herself or run her own bath!

At 86 my nan had worked as a nurse all her life, bought up 5 dc, been a full time carer for my Grandad until he died and looked after all her Grandchildren while their parents went to work and she was the life and soul of the party up till the day she died.
The Queen's job is to represent our country and that means looking like she is at least happy to be there, nobody expected her to jump up and down waving a flag but a smile wouldn't have hurt would it. If she isn't up to the job she should delegate to Charles or William or retire.

I am 35, in excellent health, best healthcare, happy, easy life etc.

There is no way I could look interested (politely or otherwise) for 4 hours in a row for the whole time. Just couldn't do it.

I don't really give a damn about the British monarchy one way or another and am very much in favour of a republic in Oz.

But really, an old lady looked a bit tired and grumpy? Seriously?!

There are plenty of sticks to beat her with, but come on.

ok kaluki. I challenge you to fix a smile on your face for four hours doing something that's not necessarily interesting to you. (e.g. a pile of washing up, a foreign novel) and see how long you last!

Ok, lee - and I challenge you not to pick your nails for four hours. Whilst getting paid for it.

Kaluki said 'a smile' - not constant beams.

If that was my job I would do it.

If I had someone to tend to my every whim and the privilege and luxury that she has I would watch paint dry for 4 hours with a on my face.
Personally I got a bit bored while the teams were parading round but I wasn't on public display representing my country - She is.
Thats the difference.
All this "lets get behind Team GB" stuff and our own Queen clearly finds it dull as dishwater ... I'd like to see her try and commute into London to work every day for the next few weeks. Then she'd have something to scowl about.

I've managed three minutes so far of Not Picking My Nails. It is getting really tough though.

She's in her mid/late 80s, she's head of state of many countries - she can look as bored as she likes.

What else is she supposed to do? They didn't even give her a programme to flick through.

I have in the past sat through hours and hours of tediously dull board meetings and corporate dinners or events looking as if there is nowhere else I'd rather be because that is what I was paid to do.
Don't we all have to sit through Sports Days cheering on hundreds of kids when all we want to see is our own little ones winning running their races.
Its life.

And did you not look a teeny bit bored, for just one second, when a camera was on you?

She is eighty six years old and probably very tired.

I think its unfair to expect so much a woman even if she is incredibly weathy.

God, I once had a micro sleep in a board meeting.

Well I didn't sit there picking my nails with a face like a slapped arse.
I'd have got fired.
If a camera was on me I would have definitely have made sure I looked fabulous interested!!

If it's too much to expect her to do the job she's paid to do, perhaps we should stop paying her to do that job.

Well that's the trick isn't it? Don't be fireable.

@ microsleep!
I only did that once and my defense is that I was pregnant and it was 30 degrees outside!!