Do you admire the Queen?

[tonywiltshire]

I find it difficult to admire the Queen. All her life she has been looked after to the highest possible standards in all areas, she has done a good job but so have millions of other people, she does not know what it is to be in a queue, wait for service or worry if her children will find a job. She has people to arrange the smallest details in her trips and plenty of people to fawn over her. I believe a person doing a job they may dislike to maintain a family because it is their duty is more deserving.

I know if we had a President they would receive all the advantages now afforded to the Queen but at least we could change them every few years.

[rowanwitch]

I admire her dignity.. and the way she has gently modified her style with passing years the way she loves her irascible husband despite his shortcomings, and how even if you don't like what the monarchy stands for she has always tried to maintain a sensible almost 'middle class' approach... I think she demonstrates a lot of values that have been set aside in the UK. She also has years of expertise in dealing with world leaders across the spectrum and has if you read what previous PMs apart from TB have written offered a great deal of support and insight.
But I am in a bit of a minority with the next bit... I actually quite like Camilla and from what I have heard from folk who have met her she is fun, no nonsense and the sort of woman you would want as a friend.
Charles seems to be a bit of a spoilt plonker but his work via the princes trust and promoting the organic movement have made a big difference.

Andrew... no time for... Edward... probably best just getting on with his life.. Anne.. dour old stick but loves rugby so can't be all bad...apparently a bit of a lusty wench in her youth... so why she looks miserable now i don't know...

The young generation seem fun ...

No the alternative is totally unappealing

[starone]

I have read all of these posts and found them quite interesting. I have to say that I am anti-royalist and think they are all a drain on the public purse. I don't especially dislike anyone but if all the hangers on could be got rid of I think I would be more than happy. The Queen's job is not particularly onerous - when she went to Australia em she didn't travel as you and I would but spent her time surrounded with the usual luxury. She had a normal bed to sleep in - not the cramped seat that we would have. And still plenty of retainers to see to her every desire. And a plane to herself and her servants with no sharing. No doubt the food was good too. I hope she doesn't abdicate because the alternative is too dreadful to imagine. She can wear casual clothes when she goes on her many breaks to her different castles. If you look at pictures of her with her dogs she often has a scarf tied round her head. Very casual I call that, although maybe she hasn't done this in the recent past as she is getting a bit too old. I don't think for one moment that her time is organised day and night. I haven't noticed reports of every day being filled with work for her. I am nearly the same age as her and believe I could quite easily perform her duties. Doesn't look very difficult to me. I am trying to look at this from a logical point of view. France get plenty of tourists to look at their heirlooms from the past don't they? And so do other countries. Think I've written enough so hope someone reads it - it is a bit long.