Dammit, we Brits have been so lucky and I'm not at all sure we deserve it. The past 60-odd years of Elizabeth II's reign has seen a huge change in Britain's fortunes. After WWII we finally disposed of the remains of empire and at last we were forced to face the reality of returning to the second or even third rank of nationhood. Our own internal society underwent massive changes which continue up to this day. Societies are volatile and unexpected causes can have equally unexpected outcomes and yet ... and yet ... by and large we have maintained our equilibrium even if it has, at times, been "a close run thing". There are various aspects of British society which have helped to maintain what the scientists might call this 'steady state' but in my opinion one of them has been the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The very fact that, by and large, day by day, year in and year out, decade after decade she has demonstrated a steadfast sense of duty as our Head of State has been enormously important. Quite literally she has been a 'rock of ages'. Not, I hasten to add, that she has been unchanging. Slowly and with great care she has changed her mode and that of her family such that she and they, on the whole, have been 'of their time'. Stoical, dutiful, decent and reticent, she has provided an anchor to our ship of state as it has swung this way and that in stormy waters.
On this, your 90th birthday, I can only say thank you, Ma'am!
Hear hear
Posted by: Cuffleyburgers | Thursday, 21 April 2016 at 09:40
Well put DD you echo my sentiments exactly.
Posted by: Antisthenes | Thursday, 21 April 2016 at 10:33
A fine tribute.
Posted by: Whitewall | Thursday, 21 April 2016 at 11:47
Well said, DD.
Posted by: Whyaxye | Thursday, 21 April 2016 at 12:00
Hear! Hear!
Long live Her Maj.
One of the nicest ladies you could ever hope to meet.
Posted by: Andrew Duffin | Thursday, 21 April 2016 at 12:38
Well done David and and Happy Birthday tae the Auld Yin. ( not you)😂
Posted by: jimmy glesga | Thursday, 21 April 2016 at 18:11
A remarkable woman indeed is our queen.
Her only fault, as I see it, is that she hasn't got around to making me a dame yet. She may well be saving that grand occasion for her 100th. Fair enough but my curtsy may be a bit creaky by then.
Posted by: Andra | Thursday, 21 April 2016 at 20:40
Andra, you can be my Dame.
Posted by: jimmy glesga | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 00:38
An amazing woman. Her cypher is on the cherished piece of parchment which infers I am a gentleman [well actually it says I am an Officer and the other bit is inferred] and also on that of my son.
Affectionately known to my contemporaries as "The Boss". She is also the strongest argument in favour of a Constitutional Monarchy rather than a Republic as it is not the power she has but the power she denies.
Posted by: AussieD | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 04:47
Lady Andra? Nah, it has to be Duchess Andra at the very least. By the way, watch out for amorous Jocks in the undergrowth!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 07:20
Thank you Jimmy. I always knew you were a man of discernment.
By the bye, my father was a Macdonald and my mother was a McClure.
Anyway, all my ancestry that I know of is Scottish and my darling partner, the Chinaman, has had only 3 serious women in his life .... lucky man ... his wife (of 40 years) was born in Edinborough, his next lovely lady was of Scottish ancestry and now he's lucky enough to have me!!
If you're wondering what happens to these women he wears them out and they depart this planet, with no regrets, I think. However, I ain't going nowhere!
And the Chinaman is smart enough to voice no complaints!
Duff, I don't want to be a duchess. All I can think of is Hermione Gilgold or some such in an old 50's movie and I don't look like that. I haven't got a whalebone girdle or a tiara.
And so I insist on damedom. It's Dame Andra or bust!
Posted by: Andra | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 08:18
I'll go for the bust, er, in the nicest possible way, you understand!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 08:23
I'll go for the bust
[Chuckle] Once a Squaddie always a Squaddie.
Andra I think "Her Grace the Duchess Andra of North Queensland" would be most appropriate. [Springs to attention and throws 21 Gunner]
Posted by: AussieD | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 10:12
"Springs to attention and throws 21 Gunner".
I'm not really up on naval-speak, let alone Aussie naval speak, but have a care, Lady Andra, you know what sailors are like, I'm sure your mother warned you!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 10:24
Duffers a 21-gun salute marks special royal occasions throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. A particularly snappy salute thrown to a person of importance [e.g. The Duchess Andra] takes its origin from that practice. Tradition, you have to have tradition.
You know the old saying:- The Navy has traditions, the Army have customs and the Air Force just have nasty habits.
Posted by: AussieD | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 11:40
Better standby, AussieD, for incoming from Air Marshal BOE! And, it can only be a matter of time before Able Seaman JK from the Right Royal Arkansas Navy lobs in a cannonade!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 11:48
Talking of busts as we were before. We have been getting a doco series here called "Digging Britain" hosted by a Dr Alice Roberts. I'm in love [again].
Aside from the obvious attraction it has shown just how long your Septic Isles have been inhabited. Most interesting.
Posted by: AussieD | Friday, 22 April 2016 at 13:03