Trooping the Colour aka why I'm not suited to royal life

[MrsLeonFarrell]

I wee. A lot. Particularly if I think i can't get to a toilet because, say, I'm stuck on a parade ground.

I get hot. Very hot. Even in a thin linen dress can't imagine how I'd cope with a coat dress and hat in full sun.

I get travel sick. Those carriages look like they sway a lot.

I have an inappropriate sense of humour. Lip readers would have a field day.

What about you? Would you sail through a major royal event or would you be like me, an unfortunate tabloid headline in the making?

@CathyorClaire

I miss the Laugh reply option.
And you're right - possibly the whole of MN would doomed ("cancel the cheque")

Are you quoting a comedy sketch because the repetition of 'doomed' is ringing a bell and I can't place it?

And as I posted i remembered, Fraser in Dad's Army!

One of my best friends is married to a very high ranking officer and is often shown in national, local and social media and I ALWAYS tease her if they catch her looking bored. I would hope that Kate still has friends close enough to humble her for a bad photo.

I couldn't do it. I'd be Meghan, hogging the balcony with my evil eyes and pushing the old Grandma out the way for the best seat and stealing the blanket.

I think that HLMTQ knew she looked grumpy when she was not actively smiling. I believe she said to someone - Oh look - I've got my piggy face on there, about some very public event. I think she knew she had a resting Queen face 😁 or indeed 😐

Yes, it's a helluva town. The Bronx is up and the Battery's down. The people ride in a hole in the ground.

And the Culper Spy Ring, based in NYC and Long Island, helped us win our War of Independence.

So I think it's good that We have both an old and a New York.

I think TTC is probably most interesting if you live in London or can get to see it in person, or if you’re of an age to appreciate what being in service - military and royal - means.

That’s why I don’t fear for the future of the monarchy, or their relevance for the younger generation. I think we come to these things later in life, when the meaning behind the pomp and ceremony starts to become clear.

Personally my biggest thrill is the fly past, we occasionally get treated to a military fly over en route to an air show and it’s awesome. Unlike the RF I am most likely to be found in my gardening clogs.

I'd be the Duchess of Kent, retiring from public life!

This thread has made me think about just how hard it must be to maintain the right facial expression if you're a royal - not a grin, not a simper exactly, but to try and look engaged and alert all the time... it would be very challenging for me. It's not quite the same for say, politicians - there are different roles and expectations and a frown or a very serious look (RBF) wouldn't be such a problem.

Also, it wasn't until Meghan appeared on the scene that I realised that the royals DON'T look at the camera. I couldn't put my finger on why she seemed to different and then I realised that (as an actress) she sought out the camera on every possible occasion. Once you start to notice this, it really jars and give the impression of a performance rather than a genuine engagement with the event and people. Yes, I realise the others are performing to a degree but it's more subtle and only enough - not over the top. And they don't always get it right.

When I was a teacher I would be on the stage with the children and I'd look out at the audience of parents and see lots of grim faces. They were only suffering from the same ailment I have - Resting Bitch Face - but I so wanted to shout 'Give us a smile! You all look so grim!.

I've just seen it's Garter Day today, giving me another example of my royal unsuitability. I could neither watch nor wear those robes without laughing.

I love the pageantry and history coming alive, but it would still make me laugh to be part of it. Plus how hot must they be?

The first para pf this post cppnfused me greatly until I realised that the TTC here is not trying to conceive!!😮😂

I’m fat and Catholic so that rules me out twice 😄

This is the first year William wore his Garter robes. No straight faces here!

Love that photo. Catherine and Sophie always seem to be having a lovely chat in more recent years as well, lots of shots of them laughing together. Maybe those on the side lines are thanking their lucky stars they don't have to dress up!

Kate and Sophie looked lovely today and seemed very happy. I bet part of them dreads being given the Garter and having to wear the robes in the heat themselves!

ETA I'm sure there are a lot of laughs at some occasions. I read that after her Coronation, as they went back down the aisle with her wearing the crown, Philip apparently quietly sang/hummed "Where Did You Get That Hat" to QE.

I hadn't heard that story before, love it.

That was very naughty of him, but shows how in command of herself the Queen was, anyone else (including me) would have been in fits.

I’d heard it was in the carriage on the way back to the Palace, which seems more likely, but it’s still a lovely, funny story

It must be helpful to have someone like Prince Philip who brings a bit of levity to a strange situation. A bit like the Roman slave whose job in a Triumph was to remind the General that he was mortal.

I think that's rather what Camilla does for Charles. Not necessarily the jokes, but a grounding influence, lightening the mood a bit when it's all very intense and serious.

I think the QM did similar for George VI who had had a very difficult upbringing and was prone to temper, as well as being utterly unprepared for becoming King. I wasn't the greatest QM fan (sacrilege at one time!) but I think his success much assisted by her support.

Difficult old job at times, Consort, for men or women.

When I first read this I thought, "A treasure for any woman - a man who makes her laugh."