Thread: HRM The Queen,

Originally Posted by Pickles2

I love her. I hope she lives forever, but when she does eventually "go", I would like to see William "take over".
"God Save The Queen", Pickles.

Chuck and his dad are both misunderstood.
His dad is a scream. The press report it as gaffs but really he has a very dry sense of humour. Chuck appreciates humour too.

E.R. is a prime example of the advantages of a constitutional monarchy. Unlike almost every other country in the world, Britain has someone who has been on the job for over sixty years (and furthermore, was brought up and trained for the job from her early teens when her uncle abdicated), and can give confidential advice to the PM - someone the PM can discuss anything with, who is not a potential contender for their job, and without breaching the Official Secrets Act. And was there, and privy to the inside story for the last sixty years, and knows, at least casually, just about everyone who is anyone, worldwide.

Of course, all monarchs do not work out as well as Elizabeth, but her father was probably just as good, except for a much shorter reign, and her grandfather is responsible for the family tradition she was brought up in. Edward VII is often credited with having maintained peace between the major powers in Europe from about 1870 until his death, through his close relations with ruling families in most of them. Countries with less of the tradition that has built up in Britain since the death of Victoria have had less happy experiences with their constitutional monarchs, but there are other countries that have high regard for their royal families.

John