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Happy Birthday, Your Majesty — Why Now?
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Happy Birthday, Your Majesty

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth II hits 80 today.

The BBC has an in depth look at her reign and life.

The British government has their own site to celebrate the event.

7 comments

1 andante { 04.21.06 at 12:38 pm }

Happy Birthday, Lilibet!!

I saw her in person once (back around 1976). She was quite lovely – photos don’t do her justice. Beautiful, clear skin and amazing blue eyes.

2 Bryan { 04.21.06 at 1:01 pm }

I’m kind of surprised that she didn’t retire after her “Mum” died, so she could raise horses and garden. I can’t believe that attending all the functions and being nice isn’t really, truly annoying.

3 Mustang Bobby { 04.21.06 at 4:39 pm }

I was going to make a comment about queens, but… I really respect her, especially after what she’s gone through. She’s a class act in all ways.

Oh, what the heck. I had a choreography teacher who was interviewed by a reporter:

Q: Is it true that you actually danced for the Queen of England?
A: Yes, and he hated every minute of it.

4 andante { 04.21.06 at 4:41 pm }

I would be extremely annoyed if I had to be nice all the time. 🙂

And thanks for the links – that government site (especially) is really great.

5 Bryan { 04.21.06 at 5:56 pm }

Well, Booby, there’s always one of the original “Spoonerisms”: when offering a toast Professor Spooner said: “Here’s to the queer old dean”.

She’s doing a thankless job while she has the personal money not to need the aggravation. Her entire family feels the call to service and act on it.

6 Michael { 04.21.06 at 7:33 pm }

God save the Queen.

She wouldn’t ever quit, Bryan. The only reason she’s queen today is because her uncle David quit, and that pushed her father into being king, and that was a hell of a trauma for him and for his family. Besides, once Bertie got shoved onto the throne, and his eldest daughter became Heir Presumptive, he saw to it that she got a thorough education in both the duties of the monarch, but also in duty itself. She’s going to see this thing out to the end because that’s what her father did, and what he raised and taught her to do.

It’s a great pity that none of her children seems to have inherited that trait.

7 Bryan { 04.21.06 at 7:52 pm }

Charles completed all of the military training, and Andrew completed a complete Navy career.

I think Harry will probably be a career Army officer, while William is going through all the schools.

Charles went to a prep school in Scotland that violates the Geneva Convention, breaking the ice on the water to wash up in the winter is not my idea of necessary preparation for anything other than learning how how to build a fire.

Charles needed something to do before he threw himself into managing his farms in Cornwall. He practices sustainable organic farming and makes a good deal of money from it. I’ve seen a couple of BBC films on what he’s doing, and it’s good solid work.

Having your family and politicians choosing your wife is not destined to produce a happy marriage. When Elizabeth dies, I don’t expect Charles to remain on the throne very long. He’ll want to turn things over to William so he can finally get on with his life, and everyone will be happier.