Nobody does this stuff better than the Brits, who love and admire their Monarch who has spent 60 years tirelessly working.When it comes to celebrating they don't let the weather spoil it; flotilla was amazing. Real shame the flypast in formation of a diamond had to be cancelled because of clouds, but The RPO & choir delivering 'Rule Britannia' and The National Anthem amongst others, to deafening cheers was stunning.Tomorrow's concert will be a blast in front of Buck Palace. God Bless the Queen.
I live in Bankside right next to the Tate modern gallery so this is going to be right on my doorstep, so excited!! definitely going to be an event to tell my grand kids someday...
I don't care whether you are a republican or a Royalist, personally I am a Royalist, you cannot deny that this will be, along with the olympics the highlight of 2012. Here in Britain we can pull of the pomp and tradition like no other nation!!! We should be proud of what we can do. Do not look at countries without a monarchy and think that the UK would be better off without Her Majesty because we would not. God Save the Queen!
I have to say as an U.S. citizen as a lover of history. I cant wait to see this. Very Rare to have a diamond, for one. Also, i think in most things shes done a good thing, but thats politics lol. May she have a healthful life and may God bless her.
GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. It is great to hear an American praise our Royal Family. She is amazing and it's nice to see a citizen of a republic be nice about a Monarch. God Save the Queen :)
This is just amazingly beautiful! Kind of got me all choked up. Thanks so much for posting. I'm so excited about that Jubilee. Will we be able to watch it on TV, here in the U.S.? I remember watching her coronation on TV, when I was five years old. (I thought she was getting married. But, she and Phillip had already been married several years. --- Charles and I are the same age! -- But, what did I know, at that age?) The U.K. is more democratic than the U.S. now anyway. God Save the Queen!
The clip is wonderful, but the date of coronation of the Queen (2nd June) is not the right date to celebrate this diamond jubilee, because is the 60th year of her accesion to the throne in february of 1952. The coronation jubilee will be 2013...
not exactly is it? Its the joys of the majority who support the monarchy that matters. We are living in a fast moving world with constant changes and full of uncertainty. Monarchy is fun, and we love the pageant!
As a small boy, I saw the Blitz on London,& newsreels of the King, refusing to leave London, walking through the smoking rubble of the East End, talking with the newly bombed-out families. Stood in the cheering crowds ouside the Palace as the King & Queen appeared to celebrate the end of WW2 & later for the wedding of Elizabeth & Philip. In Westminster Hall,(where Charles I was tried & condemned); filed past the coffin of George VI & stood in Whitehall as Churchill’s coffin passed.
This is one of the most self-indulgent and revolting spectacles ever to be foisted on the Public. Considering the the enormity of need around the globe today of the ordinary citizen, with mass unemployment, and governments who cry "austerity", those same governments are only too happy to "find the money" for something like this. Exactly how does this family, this institution, serve anyone? And why do people buy into it? It is exasperating.
@Rotebuehl1 I`m not arguing that there was a democracy in saxon England. There clearly wasn`t, but the point is in saxon England there was no hereditary principle when it came to who was the monarch of England. This was introduced after the norman conquest, therefore it logically follows that electing your head of state is a much older English tradition that the current hereditary monarchy.
And exactly, what would be wrong in turning any of the Palaces into useful, beneficial buildings rather than the empty, useless and extravagant spaces they represent today? Don't get me wrong. I love the buildings, and have visited many through the years. I love them for their history. However, it is the poor citizen who foots the bill for such indulgences, not the indulgent themselves. And please, your response was so patronizing. Our friend made some very good points.
sure the queen costs about 35 million if u include security and all the other stuff not including the civil list payments. but the revenue from the crown estates, in 2011 well over 200 million, is all given directly to the government in exchange for those payments, and the tourism and souvenir sales speak for themselves. the monarchy is excellent value for money
How do most not have an estate "An estate is the net worth of a person at any point in time. It is the sum of a person's assets - legal rights, interests and entitlements to property of any kind - less all liabilities at that time."
Don't think one will be seeing this again when Britain becomes majority Muslim. Good opportunity for nostalgia as an era that lasted for centuries fades away.
I think she is liked by most, and respected by all. Polls show support for monarchy is about 2/3. For a republic to be formed, the people would need to be 2/3 against monarchy. Of course, support climbs with Jubilees and Royal weddings.
You seem to be missing the point! Thousands of people braved awful weather to wave union flags, not because, as you believe, to support inherited priviledge, but to demonstrate their sense of national pride & love for their country, seeing the monarchy as the embodiment & symbol of that love & pride. I have not been "brainwashed" by powerful people - if I have been "brainwashed by anybody, it was by my grandfather, who fought at Passchendaele & my father in the RAF in WW2.- for King & Country!!
A history book. I have an A* at both GCSE and A-Level History... I have opened many history books. "The fact that the Queen [Monarchy] still exists" they exist because they have the ascribed right to. They have the right to rule over us as our Monarchs.
They cost a fortune? You might want to take some nursery maths. The Crown estate alone raises 190million pounds which goes straight to the treasury and then 36million is given back to maintain the estate. They cost us nothing, and make us millions. How did ther DOY cost 15 million?.
I repeat they make 300million for the UK economy a year and the Monarchs life is meticulously planned out daily without weekend or retirement in service of our country, how is that not earning the right to stay on the Crown estate?
Dream on. My wife is French, I spend a lot of time in France and theres no way they'd ever reinstate the monarchy. Edward as king of Estonia? well that would be one less leach feeding off my tax.
Feel free to come to the UK to celebrate... bring lots of money, we need some more money flowing through the veins of our economy. I'm sure that she'll visit you again soon. Is she well liked in New Zealand?
Yes. Good point. We should not be celebrating anything. We are officially in a recession. Everybody keep their heads down and get back to work. Joy or celebration is time that would be better spent producing stuff. There are people with nothing in the world, how dare people in the UK have a day's holiday at a time like this!
What about a Royal Baby? I'm sure there will be one of those on it's way pretty soon. It's good that there is so much support for the Monarchy in the Commonwealth but I sense that the Monarchy's popularity is declining especially due to the fact that Prince Charles is the next King. Even if you do ever become a Republic I hope that the UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada etc can maintain such a close relationship and work together. I want the UK and the Commonwealth can trade more too. :)
You should read up on the history of the British Monarchy then, because they were kicked out many centuries ago and brought back in purely as a means to put a balance on the power of parliament. You seem to think that rich people getting into government is somehow ok. They dont reign over us, they simply exist there, they are there to serve my country.
@InkSmudge81 1) The Witenagemot - "meeting of wise men" - was a political institution in Anglo-Saxon England which operated from before the 7th century until the 11th century. Despite historians' best efforts to find in it some permanence of character, it's exact nature remains "essentially vague, fluctuating & incoherent"! The witan was noted by contemporary sources as having the singular power to ceosan to cyninge, 'to choose the king' from amongst the (extended) royal family.
Yeah I can understand your point. But the formula we have at the moment works and she is a direct relation to William the Conqueror, his 25th great-grandaughter or something, so I suppose that does give her some legitimacy. Also if they were elected you'd have non-lifetime reigns, people pursuing agendas and a lack of historical continuity. But I do understand where your coming from
Cork Man?? Don't know what you're talking about!! I never claimed to be a Cork man, but if I were, I would be, I hope, as patriotic a Cork man as I am an Englishman!! And I would always shop in the English Market, one of the finest food markets anywhere! & I am deeply saddened at the recent floods which the good people of Cork recently suffered!. But I suppose some people like you blame even the Queen & the Brits for that.
@The1985Channel I remember I told someone on this very page that by the end of the century the UK will fall apart. Quite to my surprise it already is happening. The First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond is lobbying for the Independence of Scotland which most Scots want. It will take place in 2014 but Westminster wants a earlier date. I always knew that the UK would fall apart, and it will lose its influence in Europe and the world. It never had any anyway.
@MrXray2011 But i must say, The UK is the mother of all Democracy, the reason why the whole world is how it is now, in terms of Capitalism and Industrial expansion, all this began in Britain, which makes your country the Greatest of them all, the greatest Empire this world has seen and will ever see, even greater than the Roman Empire. I love the UK i do, and I hate to see it decline, the USA in fact is just a fat larger more powerful version of the UK, we cant escape, the UK gave us all this
@MrXray2011 No I am currently a student now after i finish school i will try my best to get a job, I was never lucky enough to get summer jobs as where i am currently living now is very poor and Jobs are like gold here only the Lucky gets them. I am shy in fact but I'm working on that factor both Physically and Mentally. There is no excitement where I am, every body is worried about there economic future and Jobs no one has time for the queen, she is alright, she has nothing to worry about, I DO
And again, so you are saying noone has the right to live of the wealth they make. The Royal Family brings in 300million a year for the economy and the government gives back 30million which most is spent on fulfilling their role. In your mind noone be allowed to get wealthy, unless everyone else is too.
Well 200 million directly to the government plus the tourism seems to me like excellent value for money; and in my opinion the queen as an ambassador is an excellent resource who is respected internationally. However, your entitled to your opinions, but I disagree
@Rotebuehl1 If you`re going to quote from wiki (Although not a good reference) you may want to read wikis page a little further down. Felix Liebermann disagreed entirely with Chadwick and the evidence lends weight to Liebaermanns argument. For example, testimony from abbot Ælfric of Eynsham, one of the best-known learned English churchmen in the 11th century, who wrote: "No man can make himself king, but the people has the choice to choose as king whom they please"
How are they a ruling class? They do No ruling. They exist to watch parliament and ensure it stays a democracy, not to watch the people. It was the people who brought the Monarch back to watch parliament. It was your nations choice to provide security and the like which costs, you cannot blame that on the Royals. People flock to see them and spend money while they are there, that is part of what a countries economy is. Monarchs have been responsible for restoring democracy in many cases.
@MrXray2011 I see your point about the job. I live in a affluent but small community so you need to travel to find a job... as long as you can drive you can get to major cities for jobs... As I said before the UK should be a part of NAFTA not the EU. RULE BRITANNIA AND GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
My friend, if you are fine with the amount of money being spent on this family, so be it. It is your choice. However, just think of what that money could be doing so the average person doesn't have to "keep their heads down, and get back to work". Perhaps they would have their own time for celebration but do it for themselves instead of "celebrating" a family who do what exactly? Personally, I have no problem with them per se, but they should pay for it. After all, who are they celebrating?
If like most democratic states there were an election for head of state and the Queen were to stand I'd very probably vote for her. She's been a good ambassador for the UK. Its the hereditary principle I object to.
The people who need a monarch to bow to or pretend they have something in common with should be allowed to finance one and those who don't should be allowed to abstain. We are supposed to be a democracy after all. (Aren't we?).
More ignorance, I suggest you read up on the legal issues regarding the crown estates, who the ceremonial holder is, there is no true owner and the Monarch and her family have no legal rights to make any personal profit from it. Should J K Rowlings children not be allowed to inherit the massive wealth of their mother? We are all rich or poor through position, but those of us outside Monachy get freedom to do what we want not only with our estate but with our life.
@InkSmudge81 That's an understandable position! On my side, I ask if there is the need of a head of state at all! Switzerland, for instance, doesn't have one, as the sovereign is the Federal Council! They don't have a "head of state", merely a primus inter pares presiding the council every year by rotativity! The concept of head of state is unknown in Switzerland! An elected president seems odd to me! What for? He can't possibly be an identificatory figure because he's only elected
Pompeii is a far different scenario. Royal houses alone hold little interest to tourists, they want to see a living Royal family. The old palaces of France or Germany are not making millions year in year out. And they do serve a purpose in protecting democracy, being in that they have a role to fulfil and arnt doing it for a career, this is why Constitutional Monarchies constantly top the Democracy index and Republics constantly bottom it :-
Are you seriously suggesting that someone, lets say "Prince" Andrew is good value for money. Its time that the UK grew up and consigned the royals to history. We'll never be a fully fledged democracy until we have an elected head of state. If the queen or any other royal wishes to stand in an election for president and wins thats fine by me. As for 80% of the population being in favour of the monarchy, that just proves the power of vested interests in supporting the status quo. A REPUBLIC NOW!!
If it helps, Canada is geographically in the continent of North America, but this doesn't make the Canadians Americans!! Equally, the island of Ireland, including the Irish Republic, is geographically in the British Isles, but this doesn't make residents of Eire British......
Theres far more to it than just getting on the barges, why cant anti-monarchists ever see the bigger picture. The catering, transport, tourism, cleaners to name a few more.
I think you should read up on Australias constitution crisis with Gough Whitlam. How did they not earn their estate? Presumably you will tell me they stole it through war in the past, well that was aeons ago, how was ANY land given out? Yes people fought for it.
Those who slander the monarchy just because they think its old are stupid. But monarchists forget having elected heads of state is a far older English tradition that the current set up. Anglo Saxons elected their monarchs. It was only after the Norman invasion that the divine right of kings was introduced. The notion of inherited monarchy was the product of foreign invasion along with feudalism Sadly its easier to hear jihadist opinion rather than republican opinion in the UK
First off, the Queen's personal wealth is assessed by Forbes at 450m. But anyways, I'm poking fun at your idea that there shouldn't be any pageantry or luxury until there are absolutely no bums in the country. Given that logic, why can't the taxman take your Internet money away? You don't need that. But many can, and will argue, that the Queen's expenses - jubilee or whatever - are needed to maintain tradition & national cohesiveness.
Im sorry but that argument does not work at all. You have displayed your ignorance in how the Royals live. The Queen fulfils a lifelong, weekend free duty to the country and gets to live in the Crown estate with little power. I chose my job and career intentions with weekends and plenty of free time and chose my house, perhaps doing well or not so well Id chose freedom over duty. Most anyone would. Thats why we respect our Queen, big wao she lives in a Palace, it costs her her ENTIRE life
@The1985Channel Things do get heated and can quicky decend into insults which they shoudn`t. However you have to understand all the media in the UK support the monarchy. Pro monarchy opinion is forced on people regardless if they wish it. Even schools will hold Diamond jubilee celebrations, no differing opinions are given or expected. In any other sphere such as politics or religion, we give weight to different opinions. This angers people and YT is one of the few places this can be expressed
How do they cost the "colonies" (you seem to be stuck in the colonial era) anything? When they visit you put on some pomp and circumstance for them and they bring in loads of tourism. Gough Whitlam is the perfect reason for their existance to balance government. They are not a ruling class as you are implying, they are a check balance.
You should read up on how many Monarchs have stopped Parliaments turning into Dictatorships, there are numerous cases. Apparently you dont even know what the Commonwealth is, at it heart its basically a massive agreement that allows free trade, free passage between countries etc. If you think any of that is to do with the Monarch or even bad you are a fool. Ironically Britain is the only country that cannot do free trade through the commonwealth.
Reading through every parliament bill and paper to go through parliament everyday, and signing ones as required by parliament, representing the nation on foreign and home excursions building ties with countries for economic gain and more she is the Head of State. They VERY rarely sit in a carriage waving, Carriage? They are only used to rare Pomp and Circumstance events, go do some research.
80% are in favour of a monarchy because (I believe) of our media and its sugary coverage of anything royal. How has the monarchy been a stabilising influence? As for France I find there laid back attitude and lack of a monarchy refreshing. A French friend of mine while watching TV with me saw the Windsors all lined up on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, laughed and said "eez the fukin Muppet show" Just about sums them up really.
@The1985Channel "but the truth is that the monarchy is part of ours. You love reading into people's posts what you want, don't you?" Im sure that the monarch of france was part of their heretage too. The fact is... its the year 2012. These things belong in the past, pretty soon we will have direct democracy in play, do you still think we will have a monarch then? As for "head of state", why do we need one exactly? a nation is a naton of millions, not one old woman.
@InkSmudge81 2) Nevertheless, at least until the 11th century, royal succession generally followed the "ordinary system of primogeniture." Chadwick interpreted these facts as proof that the so-called election of the king by the witan merely amounted to formal recognition of the deceased king's natural successor!
@The1985Channel The Queen has, The power to appoint the Prime Minister, The power to disolve Parliament, The power to dismiss government The power to withold royal assent to legislation passed by the commons.
@Rotebuehl1 It is a response to the monarchist argument that the hereditary system is valued old british tradition. Therefore by definition the idea of an elected head of state is a stupid modern notion. This argument is clearly wrong. The divine right of kings only came into being with Norman feudalism. Yes I`m a republican. However if there is to be a head of state that is seperate from a president then that head of state should be elected in my view.
The cost of what they represent, what is that exactly? Family having the right to inherit, people who serve their country and its people with no personal gain? They arent some flambouyant Arabian monarch spending on what and where they want doing nothing, they are chained to their role by paliament controlling their every action.
Well, you're from Cuba - that is, according to your profile. They let you have internet access there? Anyway, you would really know about electing people, wouldn't you? You can't fault us there; billions of people live under the Westminster system (our system of Parliamentary democracy). Owned.
Seriously , you really think that this ' party' is as popular as the media makes out . lt is not . At a time of massive cut backs everywhere in the 'real world', with millions of people struggling to afford the basics to retain thier living standards , you and your likes have the answer ...lets have a party for the privileged few . Let the people see how high society bathes itself in an abundance of luxury . l wonder if she will say ''we are all in this together'' in one of her speeches .
yes but would you like to be a royal? equally they have been born into a privileged lifestyle but they have no choice but to be what they are born. they are a historic family that gives tradition to our constitution without ever being involved in any decision making. They are good for the economy as how many tourists come to London to have a look at Buckingham palace? if there is no justification for a monarch why is there any Justification of any rich privileged person being in politics? oh...
@shv90210 The Queen represents our country and we represent her!!! The Monarchy makes the UK more money than they 'take bacl' which they should be allowed to do. You need to remember that you are her Subject... not her equal. Do you have a job? If so have you worked for more than 60 years of your life... doubt it. She works hard and whilst she does I will always fight for her... stop believing American propaganda than royal families are old and dead... they're not!!!
You've heard of the film, "The Pope's Toilet" well this is an even more faithful remake of the original, Swedish film, "Kunglig Toilette". What a disgusting waste, particularly in the middle of the worst recession for 80 years.
What privilage does she have? Her daily routine is planned out for her 7am until 10pm without weekends and without retirement. You clearly know nothing of the role they have calling them entitled and privilaged, when the Monarch gets almost no personal time in her life. Perhaps other Monachies in Arabia and the past were gluttonous spendthrifts but the British monarch is not.
