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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think a 95 year-old woman slowing down is not that shocking?

211 replies

WomanStanleyWoman · 26/10/2021 23:20

Regardless of whether you are in favour of a royal family or not… is it really a shocker, or a crisis, that a 95 year-old woman is slowing down somewhat and missing engagements?

I personally am in favour of the royal family, and I hope nothing is seriously wrong with the Queen. But it’s not like she hasn’t been seen in months and there’s some great conspiracy to keep the reason a secret. She’s had one night in hospital and missed one engagement. She’s 95. Someone not having a few health problems at that age is a news story!

I know people are interested in royal stories, but realistically, ‘old woman not as young as she used to be’ isn’t news. For at least 25 years now, it’s been made clear the Queen won’t abdicate, but will hand over more responsibilities to Charles and, increasingly, William. Unless something major or out of ordinary happens, we don’t need a running commentary.

OP posts:
JinglingHellsBells · 27/10/2021 09:06

Some of the comments here don't show any great understanding of history.

Kings and Queens don't retire.

It's not a job you retire from.

Ozanj · 27/10/2021 09:07

@JinglingHellsBells

Some of the comments here don't show any great understanding of history.

Kings and Queens don't retire.

It's not a job you retire from.

Look at Europe. They can and do retire. They can and do resign or abdicate in old age. The Queen is the anomoly.
terrywynne · 27/10/2021 09:08

@JinglingHellsBells

Some of the comments here don't show any great understanding of history.

Kings and Queens don't retire.

It's not a job you retire from.

At least not in the UK. If I remember correctly there are some countries which have more of a tradition of advocating in favour of the next generation.
ssd · 27/10/2021 09:09

The queen must feel she cant step back as no one is stepping forward

godmum56 · 27/10/2021 09:10

@PicsInRed

She's not Grandma, she's the Head of State, and naturally her health is also a matter of public interest due to her role.

If privacy is required, she should step down and Chalres ascends the throne (or serves as Regent).

nope. She is as entitled as anyone else to medical confidentiality and privacy.
CounsellorTroi · 27/10/2021 09:12

I was amazed she came to Cardiff to open the Senedd.

Of course it’s not unreasonable for her to slow down. Being royal does not make you superhuman whatever some may think.

CounsellorTroi · 27/10/2021 09:13

@JinglingHellsBells

Some of the comments here don't show any great understanding of history.

Kings and Queens don't retire.

It's not a job you retire from.

If a Pope can do it……
caravanman · 27/10/2021 09:16

My mother is 93. She takes considerable pride in the fact that, just like the Queen, she is in her nineties and is still working. She is a partner, with my brother, in the family farm.

Obviously, she does not go out in the fields or drive a tractor, but she is very much part of the decision making processes (although she does need more time to process information).

My mother could retire fully. However, I think her work is vitally important to her.

My mother and the Queen are from very different backgrounds, but both are women who are dedicated to what they do, and whose work is intricately connected to their identities and to their families.

People should not have to step down from something they love, just because they reach a certain age, and it does not matter whether that age is 65 or 95.

SleepingStandingUp · 27/10/2021 09:20

@ssd

The queen must feel she cant step back as no one is stepping forward
Is it that the heirs aren't stepping up or that they can't tell her to back off so there's room for them? You can't take over the CEOs job unless they let you
JingsMahBucket · 27/10/2021 09:20

I think her not stepping down is kind of weirdly selfish and seems like a bit of a control freak. That said, if she really does believe in the divine right mythos, I guess to her she’s fulfilling her duty to god as long as she can. But where does that overlap to fulfilling her duty to country to rule it properly and of sound mind?

SleepingStandingUp · 27/10/2021 09:23

Selfish to whom @JingsMahBucket?

ginghamstarfish · 27/10/2021 09:23

I would not say I am a royalist, but fail to see how anyone can object to the Queen in any way - she was born into the role, which was thrust upon her father and then her by the abdication, and she has faithfully done her duty all these years, and despite the antics of her family has remained dignified. There's a lot to admire. How many of us could do what she does at this advanced age?

Blueraccoon · 27/10/2021 09:26

@NoDecentHandlesLeft

She had a waking stick at a recent event didn't she? So I don't think it can be that sudden. She's 95, she's not going to be that sprightly now. Much as I wish her a long(er) life and good health, OP is right. It's not that shocking.
Great typo, I love the idea of I waking stick! It could buzz or vibrate when you were nodding off. I can think of some situations where I would find one useful, and I’m sure the Queen could certainly find use for one.
CounsellorTroi · 27/10/2021 09:26

How many of us could do what she does at this advanced age?

I think quite a few, if we had access to the same healthcare and lifestyle as she does.

SunShinesBrightly · 27/10/2021 09:29

@JinglingHellsBells

Some of the comments here don't show any great understanding of history.

Kings and Queens don't retire.

It's not a job you retire from.

Retire, abdicate, step down. Call it what you want. Her own uncle did just that.
Privatesector · 27/10/2021 09:32

I love the Queen but yes she is 95 and that is elderly in anyone's book. David Attenborough is also 95, I want them both to live forever but obviously that can't happen. Realistically there will be some sombre headlines at some point in the next few years. I'm glad she's not going to COP, imagine how exhausting it would all be bless her. Yes, hope she is cuddled up with her Corgis watching box sets with a nice cup of tea xx

JanLevinsonGould · 27/10/2021 09:34

@fashionSOS

It's pretty obvious she wouldn't entertain the thought of finding love again, and one of her children is facing legal action for things that would make any parent feel ashamed.

All she's ever known is a life of public service. I am wholly unsurprised at her attempting to fill of her remaining days with serving the country in the only way she knows.

What else is she going to do? Stay at home and have enough time to be with her overwhelming thoughts of grief at losing her husband or her sadness at having raised a child she thought shared her values and apparently doesn't?

I'd want to keep busy too.

Whether or not you like the Royal Family in general, I think it's pretty hard to deny that the Queen hasn't given her all to this country. You don't get to 95 putting other people's needs above your own and suddenly feeling able to stop.

I might not have a lot of time for all of her relatives, but I think the Queen is an amazing lady. She's also a person - yes, she's a person of public interest, but she should also be afforded a shred of privacy/dignity in her old age. Bloody hell, most of us won't even make it to 95 - if she doesn't want every single hospital visit reported, give her that.

Oh he absolutely shares her values, for if she had any moral compass at all she'd have kicked him out and made sure he answers to his crimes.

Another vote for already dead.

PeterIsACockwomble · 27/10/2021 09:35

@Bouledeneige

My Dad's 92 so we do discuss the likelihood of death at that age quite frequently. When I took him for his booster jab he cheerfully remarked that there was an undertaker's opposite the clinic so if things didn't work out I could drop him off there. I pointed out that it looked closed so I probably shouldn't just dump him there, like a bag of clothes outside a charity shop.

So yes, lets see on or around the 13th November. I imagine they've got some big freezers in Windsor Castle.

đŸ˜‚ That's the kind of conversation I'd have with my family, too.
BrilloPaddy · 27/10/2021 09:35

Most 95 year olds are in catatonic states in care homes.

However, she has had the best healthcare, best of nutrition and has never had to do any physical work which must be a huge benefit in terms of wear and tear on the body.

I think she's quite extraordinary and we won't see the likes of her again.

MarshaBradyo · 27/10/2021 09:37

I do think the Queen not going to a big event like this is news though

Do you think it is even possible for it not to be op? It’s a bit unrealistic as she’s such a major figurehead

JumperandJacket · 27/10/2021 09:40

Have always thought that the Queen won't abdicate because of her memories of the abdication of Edward VIII and the terrible burden it placed on her father. I think for her, being monarch is a duty and not one to be set down just because it is difficult.

It's very sensible for her to slow down and for Charles and William to do more. Agree we don't need a running commentary and that people should be mindful of her personal privacy. I'm sure if there's news about her health that has constitutional significance, the people who need to know will be told.

JackieWeaverHandforthCouncil · 27/10/2021 09:44

‘She's 95 she lost her husband her grandson is giving her alot of stress as is her son’.

Appalling to equate Harry mouthing off and moving to America with an actress with child sex trafficking. It’s also telling that you placed Harry above Andrew in the hierarchy of stress.

After all the things she’s lived through, war, abdication, IRA murders of close friends, multiple deaths, Diana, Charles, Camilla scandals, constitutional crisis, her grandson running off to America with an actress rates probably about 0.5 on her stressometre.

Andrew on the other hand must be next level stress for her. He’s a fucking disgrace. However, she’s bringing some of that stress on herself by enabling and protecting him all these years. His ex wife is also an peado enabler who wants to stay onside so her hands can remain close to taxpayers money.

thenewduchessofhastings · 27/10/2021 09:47

I don't know why the media think we need to be told about the queens health;I think anyone with abit of common sense will know that a 95 year old person is naturally going to be suffering from age related things like slowing down,easily tiring,developing some mobility issues that might need a mobility aid such as a walking stick and being more susceptible to illnesses as their immune system won't be as strong as it use to be.

I wouldn't be surprised if following her next jubilee celebration if she retires and quite rightly so;not only would she have served as regent for 80 years she'd been serving as a royal for several years prior to that doing engagements etc

thenewduchessofhastings · 27/10/2021 09:48

Sorry she's been regent for 70 years not 80

Practicebeingpatient · 27/10/2021 09:49

@Rangoon

The Queen's mother lived to 101.
But her dad died at 56. Her paternal grandad died at 70. The house of Hanover doesn't seem robust presumably down to too much inbreeding during the 18th.19th century. But as you point out, the Bowes-Lyon side of the family seem to be pretty long lived. Either way she is an old lady now.