To think The Queen should retire?

[ThinWomansBrain]

I am not a monarchist - but given that we have a Royal Family....
Given her age, understandably failing health, and the recent widowhood, is it be reasonable to think the Queen should step down and retire gracefully?
OK, maybe stay in post until the Jubillee next year, but then hand over.

@Cocogreen

In Australia. Many of us would be like to see the end of the monarchy after the Queen passes away but have the greatest respect for her. She's been the most stoic, hard working and dignified public servant her entire life and I'll be sad to see her go.

It was defeated in referendum though, wasn't it.

Is there much of a call for another referendum?

@EdithWeston that referendum was in 1999 and I think there is a push to have another. People like my children ( both in their mid 20s ) have zero interest in the royal family and the Queen. The monarchy mainly seems to be supported by people 70 or older here.

Some of the reaction at Diana's funeral from members of the public in the crowd was absolutely insane and massively disrespectful to two young children who were grieving their Mother. It was downright embarrassing.

The referendum didn’t have bipartisan support and was based on an unpopular model; it’s quite likely to come up again if the republican movement can line up an unpopular monarch and pro-republic leaders of both major parties.

I'm really sorry, but the pedant in me has to say...

Reign - something a Monarch does
Rein - bits of leather that help you steer a horse (hence one takes the reins...)

Also, on a different tangent, I can’t help but think when Charles is King he’ll be the first Monarch who won’t have postboxes etched with ‘CR’ as no new ones are being made. Stupid I know 🤣

New ones are made to replace worn out or damaged ones.

@NotExactlyOptimistic

Some of the reaction at Diana's funeral from members of the public in the crowd was absolutely insane and massively disrespectful to two young children who were grieving their Mother. It was downright embarrassing.

Considering the Queens age, I imagine her death will be far less of a shock than Diana's was. However, I do think we will see scenes of public grief again...I very much disagree with the poster who think the public will shrug, say that's a shame and move on.

@monkeysox

I think she has died and they haven't told us. They didn't tell us she'd been in hospital....

What a stupid suggestion. There is absolutely no way that anyone could cover up her death. She's head of state, and that has serious legal issues, i.e. re laws etc. The moment she dies, the next in line (Charles) becomes King immediately (from a law point of view). You simply can't cover something up which is so important.

She's not some z list sleb who doesn't really matter, where their death/illness would only matter to close friends/family and where details could be kept out of the media for a while.

@HarrisonStickle

Also, on a different tangent, I can’t help but think when Charles is King he’ll be the first Monarch who won’t have postboxes etched with ‘CR’ as no new ones are being made. Stupid I know 🤣

New ones are made to replace worn out or damaged ones.

I’ve learnt something today, thanks!

Agreed, but there's a difference between shedding a dignified tear and having a bit of self respect in public than screaming and wailing like a madman

Interesting that it’s suggested she isn’t up to the job anymore and should hand over all the jobs to Charles but also that she’s never done a days work in her life. Which is it? If it’s not work, then there is nothing to hand over to Charles to do.

They'll cover up for 12 hours, perhaps 24 hours, just to get all the processes switched on smoothly before announcing. What's the "London Bridge" thing about if not to cover up?

[quote Snoozer11]**@ilovesooty* @starrynight21* I think they were accusing William of adultery there...[/quote]
Oh I see. Thanks!

@MereDintofPandiculation

They'll cover up for 12 hours, perhaps 24 hours, just to get all the processes switched on smoothly before announcing. What's the "London Bridge" thing about if not to cover up?

I read it more as getting everything in place before just blabbing it out to the public.

They'll cover up for 12 hours, perhaps 24 hours, just to get all the processes switched on smoothly before announcing.

What processes do you think will take 24 hours to put in place?

[quote Cocogreen]@EdithWeston that referendum was in 1999 and I think there is a push to have another. People like my children ( both in their mid 20s ) have zero interest in the royal family and the Queen. The monarchy mainly seems to be supported by people 70 or older here.[/quote]
I hadn't realised it was so long ago!

Yes, I think once a generation is probably about right, but it must be quite hard to work out what would be appropriate timing, given the Queen's age and the likelihood of her death being quite a confounder (really shouldn't be held close to it)

@MereDintofPandiculation

They'll cover up for 12 hours, perhaps 24 hours, just to get all the processes switched on smoothly before announcing. What's the "London Bridge" thing about if not to cover up?

Why would it be to cover anything up? Here one thing, off the top of my head, that London Bridge might do. Cancel all police leave for next week in anticipation of high numbers of people visiting Buckingham Palace to lay flowers.

@MereDintofPandiculation

They'll cover up for 12 hours, perhaps 24 hours, just to get all the processes switched on smoothly before announcing. What's the "London Bridge" thing about if not to cover up?

I don't think it would be as long as that - maybe 3 hours or so, bit longer if overnight.

@MereDintofPandiculation

They'll cover up for 12 hours, perhaps 24 hours, just to get all the processes switched on smoothly before announcing. What's the "London Bridge" thing about if not to cover up?

You mean why bother with a code name if you’re not hiding it? I assume initially a code name was just so people who weren’t high enough up the pay grade at, say, the bbc or wherever, didn’t hear about it and leak it first. Even if they were only delaying by an hour or so. But now I don’t really know the point, since it’s not a secret anymore, I don’t even think anyone pretends it’s a secret. I guess it’s just a quicker shorthand than “put in place the things we’ve discussed around the death of the queen”. Easier to just say “London Bridge” or “time for London Bridge” or whatever.

I thought the code name was just for administrative convenience.

After all, it's public knowledge that it exists (as do plans for other VVVIPs) and that it is regularly updated and parts of it are rehearsed

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_London_Bridge

@MereDintofPandiculation

They'll cover up for 12 hours, perhaps 24 hours, just to get all the processes switched on smoothly before announcing. What's the "London Bridge" thing about if not to cover up?

It will not be covered up. Preparations are in place which will be triggered on her death.

The "London Bridge" code is to ensure (as pp have suggested) that the death is officially confirmed and officially announced. Not leaked in a different way.
The idea that the death of the head of state would be concealed is nonsense.

@Comedycook

It'll only impact people who care about the royals though

Why would Joe or Jane Bloggs be grieving the Queen

You are very naive. The Queen is hugely popular even amongst those who aren't huge supporters of the royal family. As an individual, she is highly respected. She has been a very steadying influence in this country....always there. The public response when she dies will be unbelievable, mark my words

I think you're hugely over-exaggerating tbh.

Most people really don't care about the Royal Family as they have absolutely zero impact on their lives whatsoever.

But I do think people who mourn and wail over total strangers are a bit odd anyway

I think it's more that it's a turning point.
Sometimes people become personally invested in these situations because of what it represents. Others identify with the figure on a personal level. The whole Diana business was inexplicable to me, but clearly many fixated on her death.