@@lesterabastillas9291 it's a lot I'll give you that - but considering it only happens once per parliament I don't think it's an insane amount of faffing about. It's not even like it costs anything in particular.
The Monarchy in Britain are the one that draws the attention of the people all around the world! They contribute as well as a factor of huge tourist pour down in Britain! It's a part of Britain's colorful and beautiful image from the world's perspective!
May God continue to bless this royal family of over 1500 years old and still going strong. They will probably become the longest ruling monarchy in history.
I am of America and I feel she is a fantastic queen myself..I feel no reason as to why she should not rule..and even though other Americans may not feel the same I feel she is one of the better queens of England...and so I end with good ol American happiness and best of luck England.. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN
XLK473 Halifax Well she has not been overthrown and the United Kingdom of Arms and Monarchy has not been invaded so I would get your hiking boots grab a cup of maple syrup and hunt some bears eh
What an odd party... You would assume the host prepare an adequate space or invite enough people not to overcrowd the hall... and where's the food? and the music? I get that the Grandma with the poofy hat wouldn't enjoy R&B played by a DJ, but surely there must be a band?
@brianonymous Black Rod is a senior officer in the House of Lords. He is sent from the Lords Chamber to the Commons Chamber to summon MPs to hear the Queen's Speech. Traditionally the door of the Commons is slammed in Black Rod's face to symbolise the Commons independence. He then bangs three times on the door with the rod. The door to the Commons Chamber is then opened and all MPs - talking loudly - follow Black Rod back to the Lords to hear the Queen's Speech.(c)
It’s because the queen isn’t allowed into the House of Commons due to Charles I marching in with soldiers. The man is a representative of the queen and the parliament slams the door in his face because that’s what the parliament did when Charles’ soldiers came. He then knocks to gain entry.
As an American, I think that's wonderful symbolism to harken back to and remind us of the time and the arrogance of K. Chas. I. which ultimately cost him his head. Neither the monarch, nor representative of the monarch or the House of Lords, may enter the House of Commons except by the consent of the House of Commons. When "Black Rod" approaches, the door is ceremoniously slammed. This is a symbolic declaration of the independence of the House of Commons. "Black Rod" knocks, and by consent of the House of Commons, the door is opened; Black Rod enters and invites them to the other place (House of Lords and the Queen) to hear the Queen's speech. In the US, the president's "State of the Union" address has ceremony that reminds us that neither the President nor members of the Senate may enter the House of Representatives but by consent of the House. So much of US history and tradition is an echo of the history of this "Sceptred Isle." And remember that the War for American Independence didn't start as such -- it was to restore the sacred "Rights of Englishmen" as reflected in the ideas including Magna Carta of 1215, Simon de Montfort & the Provisions of Oxford of 1258, and the Bill of Rights of 1689 to name just a few.
@someuser905 Its a tradition. It shows how the commoners (House of commons) have a place in the government. How they marched into parliment and had there say over the lords and the monarchy. Its actually very important.
Actually the door is fairly modern. The House of Commons was hit by German bombs during the Second World War and had to be rebuilt. Different parts of the commonwealth provided different parts of the new chamber. The doors, I think, were from Canada (though I could be wrong)
How do they contribute? Forgive my ignorance, but i don't know that much about the royal family. I heard they donate to charity but what else do they do. I know they are removed from political power (as in QE2 can't declare war or sign bills into law), but what do they do in exchange for "eating up revenue"? Not being rhetorical, just want to learn something.
Where did I mention that the Queen is the UK's sole provider of tourism? "do you think people pay money to come all the way to Britain to stand outside buckingham palace." - Yes I honestly I do, if a tourist hasn't gone to what was once the heart of the British Empire - London - without visiting Buckingham Palace that's a damn shame.
1) what are you talking about? that land was never hers, the first monarchs of this country invaded and wrote the laws so that the king owned the land. to add to this, she is basically completely exempt from taxation, so really she's costing us much more than you realise because that money she doesn't pay has to come from other people - the public, who should be the people who run the country 2) tourism? so why do french palaces have more tourism than ours when ours belong to monarchs?
And you're hardly correct. Look up: Descent of Elizabeth II from William I James is #20, Elizabeth is #21, her daughter Sophia is #22 and George (Sophia was his mother) is #23. BOOM.
@DempseyBloom In the late 1700s, Americans tried to get independence diplomatically. It eventually led to war because they wanted freedom that much more. They don't recognize a sovereignty other than their own.
@antif1 That's a real cumbersome attempt to support your argument. I was pointing out that this formal ceremony is not about the Monarchy, as you stated. It's a traditional ceremony requiring a Head of State to open parliament. A Head of State is the Chief Public Representative of a Federation, Monarchy, Commonwealth, Republic, or any other kind of state. So i'm assuming you also feel sorry for people living under these governments/political communities? You've led a sheltered life, haven't you?
@berlintreaty That's what he's doing, though. He asked for someone to inform him, therefore learning about the world he lives in. You're chastising him for not knowing something he's asking about?
Just that three knocks on the door - a great deal of history in there. Without the monarchy, you can keep the custom, but there wouldn't be any depth to it anymore. Same for countless other seen and unseen customs.
@berlintreaty He asked a question. He asked it tactlessly, but nonetheless displayed a willingness to learn. You tell him to learn something but then chastising him for not already knowing what you're telling him to learn?
I liked and respected the whole ceremony, besides when the Speaker bowed before the Queen, as an American Patriot it makes me shudder to think one must bow before another human.
Your comment is a testament to what happens when people get their notions of monarchy from game of thrones or any fictional BS tv show or movie. If the British people are a tribe, the queen is the chief. By bowing to her they are bowing to the people of whom she is the representative. When she is ablazed in diamonds at occasions of state it is not to agrandize herself but the British people. It's tribal. By kissing her ass they are kissing the collective ass of the British people. It's not complicated.
You do realise that the Monarchy has rented over £200 million pounds of Land to the people of the United Kingdom in exchange for a £40 Million pounds, not counting the tourism they bring pays for itself ten fold. You may also realise that there are Football (Soccer) players earn that much in a year with absolutely no contribution to the country other than raunchy affairs for newspapers to publish. At least the Monarchy actually contributes to the legacy of the British Empire and the UK culture.
To all the Brits: Does it ever come under debate whether people in the house of commons should continue to dress in such a fashion? Have they thought about reforming so much as carrying swords and wearing those silly wigs? It all looks rather ridiculous if you ask me, with all due respect to tradition.
The parliament is free to act as it feels. The queen cannot enter parliament at her own will but must be invited to do so. Therefore she (respectively a servant of hers) must ask parliament whether she is allowed to enter, and the parliament grants her access by opening the door upon her request. But in order to knock on a door, it must be closed beforehand. Thus, the door is closed so she can ask for it to be opened.
Maybe it's because I am not British, but I feel like I just watched a scene from a movie that shows Parliament 500 years ago. Jesus, people, it's the year 2013....
@MultiSamsoon Most of the rich people in this world have blood money. And anyways, the queen gives back quite a lot of money through tourism, not to mention her ancestors, no matter how corrupt they may be, did manage to keep England united and whole for 1000 years.
Me as a german I have a very respectful view on english traditions. To have such a traditional and deemed monarchy is a very nice thing to have and with their 20 million euro per year they are rather cheap ;). But I dont miss that here in germany either ~, was fun to watch the wedding of william and kate... Concerning our history I can watch hitler documentaries all day long, that should last it for now...
@someuser905 "...The official known as 'Black Rod' is sent to summon the Commons. In a symbol of the Commons' independence, the door to their chamber is slammed in his face and not opened until he has knocked on the door with his staff of office." Taken from the UK parliament website.
