Queen Elizabeth II

[j swift]

There's also the issue of who has the authority to get rid of the monarchy?  And, even if they lost their role in the government, who would have the authority to seize their assets? 

Just using the example of the royal jewels, most of the late Queen's tiaras that she acquired in the last twenty years were gifts from foreign royals and dead socialites who weren't going to wear their tiaras anymore.  So, what right would the British government have over gifts given to the family?

Since 1992, they've agreed to be taxed and all of their expenses are public.  But, it would be a slippery slope to allow a government to start saying that they had domain over their assets.  There are plenty of rich Russian and Middle Eastern families in England who are worth billions and they would not take kindly to the UK government suddenly trying to excise dominion over the private property of wealthy individuals simply because of wavering public opinion.

Edited September 8, 2022 by j swift

[janea4old]

Checking out the #IrishTwitter hastag.  (Alongside #BlackTwitter BrownTwitter and IndigenousTwitter).
Lots of people around the world are not feeling up to honoring the symbol of colonial occupation.
https://twitter.com/hashtag/IrishTwitter?src=hashtag_click

Edited September 9, 2022 by janea4old

[janea4old]

 

 

 

 

 

[I Am A Swede]

I will miss her terribly' - tributes to the Queen

 

[JaneAusten]

Honestly, I don't care about the monarchy in the UK or really anywhere. That said, I think there is a lot to admire about Elizabeth and it's understandable that so many cherish her. The criticisms of, maybe not her personally, but the monarchy upon her death I don't believe are tasteless. There are people all over the world who suffered and are still suffering from the impact of colonialism.  And criticisms of the Irish for their reaction to her death is unwarranted. They also have a very messy history related to the monarchy. And when exactly is a good time. It's the same BS we get here in the US when there is a mass shooting - oh now is not the time to talk about it.  There is never a right time.

I have reservations about Charles, but frankly if he does reduce the size of the monarchy, use his influence regarding climate change, and does something more about his brother Andrew(rumors are that they are and have been on the outs for years), maybe he just might be effective. Still don't like him and his suitcases full of cash from the Saudi's. It's all good and well that he rebuffed Chinese leadership some years back when they visited the UK, but like many in our own county, has absolutely no issue with the Saudi's frankly is disturbing. He also clearly set up William and Kate for that disastrous tour of the Caribbean. A parent who does that is to keep them "in line", well enough said.

Edited September 10, 2022 by JaneAusten

[AbcNbc247]

Funeral is scheduled for September 19th at 11:00 AM (6:00 AM here on the East Coast) at Westminster Abbey

[Soapsuds]

Same!

ABC spent the last two nights covering it. It's gotten ridiculous!! Sorry but she always came off like a cold bitch!

Edited September 10, 2022 by Soapsuds

[I Am A Swede]

Discussions about colonialism or the history of Britain and Ireland are one thing, but posting celebratory tweets of people dancing and rejoicing, tweets comparing Elizabeth to Adolf Hitler, or, as one woman apparently did (although she had to delete it) tweet that she hoped Elizabeth would die in excruciating pain is crossing the lines for common decency. Especially when done less than a day after her death.

Noone is obliged to mourn her, or even care about her death, but celebrating the death of a 96-year old woman like that is something that I find slightly distasteful. Britain has a long and definitely chequered past, to say the least, but she wasn't personally responsible for it.

[JaneAusten]

I hear you but honestly I think those "celebrations" and dancing on her grave are not the norm. I don't see anything wrong with those saying they are not sad she died. 

The royal family holdings are estimated to be around 30 billion dollars. That doesn't belong to one person of course and some of those assets are managed by the state, but it begs to answer the ? about reparations and why those talks are shut down such as they are here in the US simply because it happened generations ago. The wealth of the royal family is based on colonization and what was taken from those lands. It's not unreasonable to expect some sort of reparation from them.

That said, a lot of the tourism in the UK is due to the royal family.  So paring it down versus eliminating makes sense. It doesn't discount the reparations that are owed still to those who were used and abused.

On a side note there is ZERO reason for protecting Andrew. I understand a mother protecting her child and allegedly Andrew is her favorite, but there is no excuse and Charles will go up a few points with me if he dumps Andrew and lets the legal system take over. Those who defend him or the members of the royal family that defend him carry no merit. That includes the Queen.

Edited September 10, 2022 by JaneAusten

[FrenchFan]

I am very shocked by what I am reading here. The Queen was beloved and her death is a tremendous tragedy.

[I Am A Swede]

No, of course they are not the norm, thank god. And as I said noone is obliged to mourn her or feel anything about it really. I guess it's simply another aspect of the toxic times we live in that this even became an issue. I sincerely wish that social media would have a wait-before-you-post feature that required you to think at least twice before posting anything.

Here I agree completely. And if there is one positive thing about Elizabeth's death it's that the chance of Andrew getting his royal duties back are almost certainly gone. From everything I've heard both Charles and William opposes that.

[DRW50]

The Queen was a figurehead, for good or ill, so people will see her as the representation of what they want the UK to be  or they will see her as a source of its evil. This is especially prevalent in a world of conspiracy theories and idiots who want to seem clever on social media (I saw someone insisting not blaming her for problems is the same as not blaming Obama, which tells you where most of these people are operating from and also how stupid they are).

In spite  of her failings, especially her enabling of Andrew, I have a lot of respect for the Queen, what she sacrificed over her life, and how she tried her best to keep her country from fraying at the seams. 

The last few years have taught me to have no respect for most of the rest of her family, or the backstabbers and plotters working in the palace who have also done so much harm. I wish the monarchy could end with the Queen, and for me, it has. 

I also have no respect for most of those who claim to support the Queen, as they often just use her name and legacy to feel justified in throwing out racist, hysterical screeds and rants. They are scum and many of them need a wellness check; for whatever her views, she likely would have said the same. 

Edited September 10, 2022 by DRW50

[Toups]

A Monday.  Damn.  I hope Canada makes that day a national holiday, so I can watch it live.  I don't feel like watching it on DVR when I get home - there's Monday Night Football to watch.  LOL

Yeah, I saw that tweet.  How miserable of a life you have to be living to wish that upon her.  It's not like she was a person like Trump or Putin.   Nobody has to celebrate her.  Just turn off the TV, or go watch a movie, watch a TV show, watch sports, go outside.  You can avoid coverage of her. 

 

[JaneAusten]

Queen Elizabeth had been failing since Prince Phillip died and likely even before. I mean no disrespect, yet her death cannot have been a shock and it seems to me they have been preparing the public for it for months now. I have no doubt it was sad for a lot of people. She's really the only beloved member of the royal family left. There might be some affection left for Diana's children, I don't know. It was not a shock to me. Am I sad for those who loved and/or admired her of course. But as someone who doesn;t really care and who has never cared about the royal family, I won't say I am heartbroken. For those who are I am very sorry.  

Like Carl said she was basically a figurehead and there is much to admire about her. I would say she knew a heck of a lot more about the Brits than any PM in office in the past 40 plus years. And through everything she managed to master the technique of staying apolitical. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. She was so young when she became queen and there will not be another like her.

Edited September 10, 2022 by JaneAusten

[Vee]

This is pretty much my take.

I will never forget seeing the pictures of the very young Elizabeth working as a mechanic in the war. That's what I take away from her and respect most of all. She didn't have to do that. She put herself out there when her country faced annihilation from a fascist empire. I respect that.

Edited September 10, 2022 by Vee