Feeling rather sorry for The Queen

I doubt queenie would have wanted a happy clappy service, and it was her birthday thanks giving service , no one else's

I so agree with you about the gloom but this is to thank God for the Queen's long reign, so I suppose it has to be solemn. Wouldn't do for me though

I have every admiration for the queen and her husband-there are not that many 90/95 year olds who are that Spritely. Good for them. But they are unelected and unaccountable. Surely it's time to put a stop to this farce? Seeing all those hangers on, telling us how much their frocks and shoes cost and never done a day's work.

And they may be fond of her

William and Harry will always remain loyal to their mother and cling to their memories. That's as it should be. However, they have no doubt accepted that Camilla makes their father happy and will support him when he becomes king.

Win Win.

You know her MaggieJane? Perhaps they have no problem in standing next to their step mother because they not only know her, they know the full story

I concluded that if they were willing to accept her it's not my business.

Can't understand how William and Harry can stand next to that ghastly woman (Camilla) she makes my skin creep.

We are always writing notes to each other, otherwise we forget everything.

Yes, and it was probably about official business, not just chit-chat about the health of the corgis!

Between mother and son? Sounds weird to me. Still I suppose it's not much different to sticking a note on the fridge with a magnet which is what we used to do sometimes!

It is so huge, though, could be a mile or so from one office to another.
But perhaps they wanted it in writing for future reference.

Jalima - re the letter writing, this was while they were mostly living at Buck Pal - so they could presumably have walked down the corridor and actually spoken to each other!

I think you're right

She was a bridesmaid at that wedding - I think

Camilla's little grandaughter was on the balcony after William and Kate's wedding. Charles was holding her aloft - maybe getting in a bit of practice.

If the child was Camilla's grandson I think it right he was there, one day his granny will be queen regent , surely in 2016 we have learned to accept step children etc

perhaps his mum was standing out of picture (musn't include them in with the Royals!)

Can't think who else he could be

I did think he might be Camilla's grandson as they have invited youngsters on to the balcony before if there is a slight connection but she walked off with Charles at the end leaving him standing on his own

and I wrote to my aunties and cousins
it gets worse, odder and odder.

I used to write to my mum regularly and she wrote to me weekly.
Is that very strange then?
and DH and I always exchanged letters because he was away on the high seas.

We must be very odd. Or perhaps have royal blood.

Lillie well, presumably the HM herself allowed it as no-one appears to have thrown him overboard (and he did look very sweet in his sailor outfit).

Ana - that was written a bit tongue in cheek but in the 80s I used to read royal biographies - yes, I know, I should have got a life - and Charles and HM were always exchanging letters, or their 'offices' were. Seems a strange way of carrying on. I wonder if they text each other now?

I think he is Camilla's grandchild. I'm not sure why he should be "allowed" on the balcony for the Queen's birthday .... he's not her grandson!!

No, I think he was on the right in a dark jacket (the one thinking about his tea in the other picture).

I think merlot means the one in this picture:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-36505392