I'm no monarchist but loved seeing the history. It's just unbelievable that these items have survived so long. So remarkable as well to have the longest reigning monarch who was also at her father's coronation and was old enough to remember. She came across very well I thought although the cynic in me wonders if it's a ploy to keep the monarchy on the boil!
I enjoyed it too, but thought the Queen seemed very slightly uncomfortable - quite chippy at times almost? I’m not sure she is ever very comfortable with media exposure. Fascinating programme though; I was seven then - we watched the coronation on a very tiny black and white TV set in an aunt’s house with a lot of other people!
I enjoyed the programme but I too detected the ill at ease moments of HM. She has the most wonderful smile though and you can identify a sense of humour that she probably allows only family and close friends to share. I think she is a very naturally shy lady who circumstances thrust into a life she would have rather not have been part of. She has done a tremendous job though, with such devotion to duty, but I do not envy living forever in that spotlight.
Hugely enjoyable. Lovely to watch the 1953 Coronation again and was fascinated with the historical information. I've never seen the Queen have a normal conversation as we usually only hear her when she does her speech at Christmas. I really liked her. She has been Queen for 66 years - it's incredible. Charles must be thinking he won't get much chance to make his mark as he is 70 now! Long live Elizabeth!
I'm not a Royalist, but it was a fascinating programme. Definitely a coup for the BBC to have the kind of access we saw and it was especially interesting to hear so much information from one of the maids of honour.
I did smile to myself when she said the maids of honours were chosen for their appearance. I wonder how many noses were put out of joint?
I wouldn't have described HM as warm either. She was definitely wearing her public personna and was quite sharp several times to what I thought were reasonable questions. Probably an armour grown over her lifetime.
I'm not sure how to phrase this, but she clearly doesn't allow her age to have any influence on a situation. I get the impression that once she is on duty, that's it. She will do what she has always done when she is being seen as Queen. Any allowance made for her age is not for public knowledge. Her mind is as sharp as ever and woe or betide anyone gives her any other impression. No wonder she won't step down in favour of Charles. A formidable woman.
I enjoyed watching the programme, the scenes of the carriage and all the Queen's horses and all the Queen's men made me smile. I also enjoyed the Queen's response to questions. Her smile was good to see and I rather liked the no nonsense responses to some questions.
* ab* perhaps you could quote the part of my post where I make any reference to how long she has reigned. Or just ignore my posts because that would probably be for the best. I realise it’s only my opinion but I think the Palace’s PR machine is excellent - it wasn’t always but it is at the moment
You’re not the only one to have mentioned the PR machine, maryeliza, and why shouldn’t Annie comment?
I wasn’t intending to watch the programme, but thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly the bit about how the Crown Jewels were hidden during the war, the biggest jewels in a biscuit tin. HM had a valid point there - what would have happened if the only two people to know where they were (one being the king) had died? One for the Detectorists, perhaps?