OT: Queen Elizabeth's Health (UPDATE: Queen Elizabeth II Has Died At 96)
EDIT: Updating the existing thread - she has passed. I know some people won't care, but some of us do for various reasons - LSA
It is looking like this may be the end for Queen Elizabeth after 70 years. Nearly all of her immediate family has flown up to see her in Balmoral Castle in Scotland, while Buckingham Palace says she is "comfortable." The BBC newscasters have been wearing black, and they recently suspended their news programs until 6:00 p.m. All of that put together seems to indicate this might be the end of her remarkable run.
I realize this might be way OT, but Queen Elizabeth is one of the most recognizable people in the world and has been monarch for almost all of our entire lives. This seems like major enough news to warrant a post.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:07 PM ^
Her staying in London during the Blitz was impressive.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:30 PM ^
I am technically one of her subjects via my Cayman Islands citizenship.
Not a huge fan of the monarchy (not against it either - just sort of a historical relic for me) but I totally agree that she has been a remarkable person and will maintain a legendary place in the history of the U.K. for her reign.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:19 PM ^
We were in London over the 4th of July and watched the Changing of the Guards. The band played "God Bless America". Our countries are entirely different, but incredibly linked.
Had the opportunity to visit Winsor Castle (the Queen's "home") and saw her coronation gown and long train (I think that's the right word). It was behind bullet proof glass. Not a big deal to me, but my wife loved it. So, I took a few illegal pictures (NO PHOTOS ALLOWED) ...must have I missed all the signs.
Will be interesting to see how long the monarchy lasts with her gone. You can see it unraveling in the last decade.
May she rest in peace.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
I lived in England for 4 years as a child in the mid 80s (my dad was transferred there with GM). Overall, it was a good experience. But there are 3 things the English dislike the most: Irish people, Americans and Catholics. Playing God Bless America is merely diplomatic lip service.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:41 PM ^
Trifecta for me. Born in Michigan, raised Catholic, all four grandparents born in Ireland.
September 8th, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
Update - she passed away
September 8th, 2022 at 12:10 PM ^
Amazing woman. England will really feel this one. She is beloved. Btw, The Crown was a great series, especially the first season detailing her early years on the throne. Thanks for posting.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^
The Crown was quite effective at demonstrating that the Queen has been pretty good at her job, for better and maybe for worse.
The Crown was also quite effective at explaining why her successor is a douche bag, unfortunately. It would be nice if everyone pretended QE2 was alive until Charles drops off.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:52 PM ^
Rc, I wondered if there might be a “skip” in the line of succession - and, whether William - instead of Charles. would - in fact - succeed Queen Elizabeth.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:54 PM ^
If Im not mistaken, I believe she can actually specify that if she wants before she passes. My recollection is that she has publicly stated that she won’t.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:58 PM ^
Carolina, I don’t know the procedures, or ability / limitation of the Queen (sitting monarch) to name their successor. One option, I Believe, would be for the crown to pass to Charles, and then for Charles to abdicate - as his great uncle did - and, then, William would rise to the thrown.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:06 PM ^
As much as I would rather William be king than Charles, I do want Charles to be king for a little while so William and Kate can raise their kids somewhat normally. I have to think part of the reason Charles and Andrew have had so many issues is that Elizabeth just didn't have the time to be a normal mom.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:26 PM ^
You really think there is anything that will allow those kids to have a somewhat normal upbringing?
September 8th, 2022 at 1:30 PM ^
24 - I hear you. I think Charles could be King for 20+ years. And, mu guess is - there will be ongoing discussion of the impact / cost of the monarchy during his tenure.
Providing William and Kate with the opportunity to raise their children is thoughtful. But, part of their upbringing - I hope - will reflect “serving” the people of the UK.
September 8th, 2022 at 2:51 PM ^
What about Prince Andrew? Since Jeffrey Epstein got offed he's just sitting around doing nothing.
September 8th, 2022 at 4:57 PM ^
He's 8th in line to the throne.
After Charles is William, then his children in order, then Harry and his kids, THEN Prince Andrew.
Basically, it'll never happen.
And yes, I know your comment was written in jest, but my wife asked me earlier about royal succession and I had to look it up to sate her curiosity.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:24 PM ^
I think there have to extreme circumstances in order for her to disinherit Charles, like a major legal problem or him being mentally unfit. I don't think she can just say "I don't like him" and pass him over.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:21 PM ^
If she skips the line of succession in the woods, and no one is around, does it make a noise?
I guess this would be a fun, gossipy palace intrigue story that has absolutely no bearing on anything in England or the world. Who does the waving at parades and christening of things probably doesn't change anything in the daily life of a Brit.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:32 PM ^
Constitutional monarchs still have some soft power. They represent their country in the public eye. The British monarch also meets privately with the prime minister each week. Not many people get that kind of audience with the head of government.
Elizabeth was really good at never saying or doing anything controversial - in contrast to just about everyone else in her family.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:55 PM ^
I doubt the Queen has had any real influence over the direction of the British government for the last 20 years. If she did, I doubt a buffoon like Boris gets the PM job.
September 8th, 2022 at 2:06 PM ^
She didn't have hard power. She couldn't choose who got to be prime minister. That's the leader of the majority party. But every prime minister from Winston Churchill on spoke to her weekly - and those meetings were secret, with no notes recorded. Elizabeth didn't strike me as a real political animal, but she probably discussed politics at times.
Imagine if for 70 years, the same person would speak in private, each week, to the President of the United States. It's weird to think about.
September 8th, 2022 at 8:31 PM ^
I’m curious what happens to The Crown now. Through four seasons it’s been favorable to Elizabeth, which I assumed was in part because she was the reigning monarch and they had to be. But now with Charles on the throne, what do they do? They were pretty harsh on him in the last season but now, they can’t make a sitting king look bad, can they?
September 8th, 2022 at 12:12 PM ^
Fart noise
September 8th, 2022 at 12:14 PM ^
The exact sentiments I received from my friend from Manchester this morning
September 8th, 2022 at 1:23 PM ^
I've never understood American's (or maybe American Media's) obsession with the royal family. My friends in England care less about this stuff than it seems like most Americans do. They always ask me why we get so obsessed with any of it when it impacts them less than it does Brits, and it has almost no impact on them.
September 8th, 2022 at 2:45 PM ^
Also blows my mind when "proud American loving patriots" fawn over the monarchy. Especially recently with the whole Harry and Megan stuff. I actually forgot her name for a minute there. Had to Google it. That's how little they matter.
The monarchy is a historical relic that doesn't really do anything or impact our lives on this side of the pond, but the country literally fought a war to get out from under British rule (and for some other stuff). Just makes me laugh when people get all into the drama of the royals over here because almost all of the people who should be ready to drag the monarchy were defending it.
September 8th, 2022 at 4:34 PM ^
I can't imagine there is a whole lot of overlap in the ven diagram of "proud American loving patriots" and those who actually pay attention to the monarchy.
September 8th, 2022 at 5:09 PM ^
There are a lot of commentators you can find clips of defending the monarchy during that whole kerfuffle.
September 8th, 2022 at 4:27 PM ^
Someone had this banner up on Iowa State's campus today. Very much a "too soon" action.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
Good riddance ya old bag!
September 8th, 2022 at 12:38 PM ^
Why do people find it so hard to say nothing when a figure they don’t care about dies?
September 8th, 2022 at 12:42 PM ^
How the fuck can you tell anyone they should shut up?
You are the poster boy for should shut the fuck up
September 8th, 2022 at 1:02 PM ^
I didn’t tell any to shut up. I merely asked why people find it so hard to not comment on the death of people they don’t like.
The Queen’s coming death seems to have triggered you.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:09 PM ^
You trigger me.
You argue just because you like the sound the keys make when you press them, yet you never have anything vaguely useful to say
I realize that's the pot calling the kettle black because I definitely spend too much time typing bullshit out and posting it on this here message board.
But hey I guess we can both continue to be bags of wind and I look forward to telling you what a turd I think you are in the future just as I'm sure you look forward to typing out paragraphs of bullshit.
Until we meet again
September 8th, 2022 at 2:25 PM ^
Salvatore is a nihilist, DB. It must be exhausting...
September 8th, 2022 at 3:06 PM ^
Heh.
That reference really ties the board together.
September 8th, 2022 at 2:28 PM ^
When do you guys go on tour?
September 8th, 2022 at 3:02 PM ^
i admire the hell out of this self aware and hilarious response!
September 8th, 2022 at 3:52 PM ^
I upvoted it. And I upvoted you!
September 8th, 2022 at 12:16 PM ^
Why should anyone in the USA give a shit about some islands ultra wealthy figurehead....
Eat the rich
September 8th, 2022 at 12:18 PM ^
I didn't vote for her.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:14 PM ^
Listen: strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
You can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!
I mean, if I went around saying I was emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!
September 8th, 2022 at 1:33 PM ^
seems like a rational system to me
September 8th, 2022 at 9:53 PM ^
My family has been quoting this all afternoon.
September 8th, 2022 at 5:06 PM ^
I always lose it at "watery tart." One of the greatest phrases in cinematic history.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:22 PM ^
Hey now.
She was good in The Naked Gun.
September 8th, 2022 at 12:51 PM ^
It was Reggie Jackson's long-term scheme...
September 8th, 2022 at 12:32 PM ^
Eat the poor. Scratch that, eat Marxists.