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Feeling rather sorry for The Queen

(239 Posts)
GillT57 Fri 10-Jun-16 12:05:14

As always, I have Radio 4 on in the office, and this morning is full live coverage of the Queen's 90th birthday celebration in Westminster Abbey (I think). Gosh, poor soul, what a dreary, dismal po faced service it is. It is supposed to be a celebration! I know there wouldn't be balloons and party poppers and there are other events, but golly this is sooooooo dreary......all that organ music...

Jalima Sun 12-Jun-16 19:16:57

Difficult to have a perfect older sibling

Tegan Sun 12-Jun-16 19:18:32

She really should have unroyaled herself and married that divorced man. She was stunningly beautiful and seemed to love acting etc. I wonder if she spent the rest of her life regretting it?

Anniebach Sun 12-Jun-16 19:32:39

She loved being a Royal, loved it more than she cared for anyone . She didn't seem a pleasant person.

Lillie Sun 12-Jun-16 19:36:07

I agree. She felt she mattered to everyone and she wasn't fussed about earning respect. The queen must have been embarrassed.

Jalima Sun 12-Jun-16 19:36:59

I agree Tegan
Was it choice or was it pressure?
(oh, the shame of marrying a divorced man!)

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 19:38:36

She was probably persuaded by her older sister, with her strong sense of duty, to give up Townsend. Sad decision.

merlotgran Sun 12-Jun-16 19:40:47

I think Prince Phillip had a hand in that as well.

Different times.

Jalima Sun 12-Jun-16 19:43:08

I think it was probably remembering Uncle David, Edward VIII, Wallis Simpson and the abdication that persuaded them to put pressure on her.
And the Church of England.

Jalima Sun 12-Jun-16 19:44:26

And the Government

Anniebach Sun 12-Jun-16 19:48:43

I suggest you hunt out a copy of Towsends book .

She could have married him but it meant giving up her title and being struck off the civil list

merlotgran Sun 12-Jun-16 20:08:56

I don't blame her for making the decision to give up Townsend. She knew no other life and would constantly be reminded of the bitterness that followed the abdication. She was also religious and would have been receptive to advice from the clergy.

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 20:17:18

Don't need a book Ab. Can remember it clearly.

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 20:20:29

So unfair given that the next King is married to a divorcee. Of that time though.

whitewave Sun 12-Jun-16 20:23:18

I am fascinated by HMs day to day life.

Like what time she gets up? Does she bath before or after breakfast - before is my guess.

Does she tell her maid what she wants to wear or does the maid second guess according to the diary.

I am fascinated by minutia!

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 20:26:58

Some chap who is or used to be her some sort of secretary, said she is woken at 7.30, she reads a lot, walks a lot, and feeds her dogs herself. And she eats no carbs with her dinner.

HTH

smile

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 20:29:33

I feel a bit envious of her. I know she works hard, but a lot of it is done sitting down at a desk. She doesn't have to get exhausted doing hoovering and ironing. All the dull stuff is done for her.

Anniebach Sun 12-Jun-16 20:30:46

And what did .towsend say if her choice Jingle? I can't recall his exact words

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 20:32:43

Oh, and that bloke says she doesn't drink much. Only one drink, rarely two. And she doesn't smoke. I can't understand that last bit because when that bloke managed to get into her bedroom at Buch Hiyse she was said to have given him a cigarette. Why would she have had ciggies in her bedroom if she doesn't smoke? confused

whitewave Sun 12-Jun-16 20:32:58

I suppose that helps keep the weight off.

You would have a huge amount of spare time if you didn't have to do any washing, cooking or housework. So walking, reading and feeding ones dogs helps fill the time. I could live like that!

I wonder how many wardrobes she has. Does she charity her cast offs?

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 20:33:43

I don't know what he said ab. I know it was all very sad all round.

Jalima Sun 12-Jun-16 20:34:13

I suggest you hunt out a copy of Towsends book
Who - me?

Of that time though.
"If I knew then what I know now" as DM used to say hmm

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 20:34:54

Maybe she gives her cast-offs to her staff. Posh women used to give theirs to their cleaning ladies.

jinglbellsfrocks Sun 12-Jun-16 20:36:43

Buck House. Not that Buch place confused

whitewave Sun 12-Jun-16 20:36:48

I wonder how many different hats she has had in her life?

I have 3. One for daughters wedding and 1 for sons wedding both languishing on shelf carefully wrapped. 1 for the sun which I hopefully wear every summer.

Jalima Sun 12-Jun-16 20:39:21

whitewave I expect her first priority is the corgis and the dachshunds!
I expect she would like to wear tweeds and a headscarf and has a little inward groan when Angela gets out her best coat and hat.

Then the red boxes - mind still as sharp as ever even though she is 90!
Perhaps it is the 'no carbs' rule?
And I don't suppose she has that much time to spare even when on hols. It's like taking your laptop with you and keeping in constant touch with the office (only it is the red boxes instead).

I don't think her cast-offs go to charity shops - there will be a display of the Queen's clothes (including dressing-up clothes from childhood) at Windsor later in the year.