Queen Elizabeth funeral and looking forward

[disykat]

Living in the US, my first recollection that there even was a queen is remembering people telling my mom she looked like her. Mom is 90, so heard that her entire life.

Hard to even fathom the life she lived. Certainly a long life, well lived.

 

[Her Dotness]

I've been reading that William and Catherine are now also known as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall ( taking over the title from Charles and Camilla). It is not automatic that they will be the Prince and Princess of Wales - that will be for King Charles to decide.

That's very interesting!

I assumed William automatically became Prince of Wales.

I suppose it may be that titles are granted by the monarch, so Charles must officially designate that. Does it say something of the sort?

 

[goofyernmost]

Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne when her father died on Feb 6, 1952. Her coronation was held on June 2, 1953 so more than a full year later.

Yes, but she was young. Charles is my age (74). I'd hate to be starting a new job at that age. Especially since he is replacing a much loved and admired lady.

 

[mom2rtk]

A truly long life of loyal service she had.

And so it was.

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes, but she was young. Charles is my age (74). I'd hate to be starting a new job at that age. Especially since he is replacing a much loved and admired lady.

His entire life was about preparing for that job though.

 

[ronandannette]

Charles will be known as King Charles III per the BBC.

Feels right. In this day and age it seems a bit of a ridiculous affectation for them to take a different name. Also a bit sweet in remembering that his mother refused to do it herself, even though her father did. As per tradition (his given name was Albert) he chose George, after his own father. His brother, the Prince of Wales, was King Edward VIII although he had always been known by his middle name; David.

 

[Karin1984]

Harry didn't make it in time. He arrived at the airport in Aberdeen after the announcement was made.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I expect the transition, though he's trained and practiced for it, will be difficult for Charles.

He has particularly immense shoes to fill.

God Save the King.

Yes, I imagine this is an especially challenging time for Charles. He knew this day would come and prepared for it his whole life, and yet, how bittersweet to be grieving for his mother, and at the same time, having to immediately take on the responsibilities of the new monarch.

He does not have nearly the public admiration and respect that Her Majesty the Queen had. In spite of all he’s been through (with Diana and everything else), from what I understand, he has apparently gained public support in recent years from those with forgiving hearts. Others would like to see him step aside and let William be king, which I don’t think will happen.

Yet I doubt he’ll ever enjoy the popularity of his mother, and at age 73, can obviously not match her longevity on the throne.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Yes, I imagine this is an especially challenging time for Charles. He knew this day would come and prepared for it his whole life, and yet, how bittersweet to be grieving for his mother, and at the same time, having to immediately take on the responsibilities of the new monarch.

Yes but he is doing it with the wisdom of 50 years of public service behind him and no young children. Unlike his mother.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Harry didn't make it in time. He arrived at the airport in Aberdeen after the announcement was made.

What a shame.

 

[Her Dotness]

Charles is my age (74). I'd hate to be starting a new job at that age. Especially since he is replacing a much loved and admired lady.

His entire life was about preparing for that job though.

Exactly.

Plus, for the past few years, Charles had been gradually taking on duties in preparation for the transition as well as due to the Queen's increasing frailty.

The British monarchy is a well-oiled machine focused upon every aspect to ease the transition, personally and nationally. They've a wee bit of experience at it after umpteen years.

I'm concerned, though, about Charles personally. I'm sure he'll move into the role as expected of him, but I have my doubts he'll be very happy. I've long thought he'd have preferred to be country gentry running the sustainable farm he had for a time near Highgrove.

 

[Karin1984]

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is in the US at the moment, and was asked about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She was really moved, and close to tears when she expressed her sympathy with the British royal family and their subjects. She said that there was no better way to honour her memory by following the exemplary life Elizabeth led.

 

[C&Jx2]

What an icon.

I just heard them say something on the news coverage that is so true...
They said something along the lines of, "She was The Queen. There have been many queens, but when you mention THE Queen, it's her you think of."

 

[C&Jx2]

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands is in the US at the moment, and was asked about the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. She was really moved, and close to tears when she expressed her sympathy with the British royal family and their subjects. She said that there was no better way to honour her memory by following the exemplary life Elizabeth led.

We were posting at the same time. I promise that my post is not a response to this. Just a coincidence!

 

[NotUrsula]

Exactly.

Plus, for the past few years, Charles had been gradually taking on duties in preparation for the transition as well as due to the Queen's increasing frailty.

The British monarchy is a well-oiled machine focused upon every aspect to ease the transition, personally and nationally. They've a wee bit of experience at it after umpteen years.

I'm concerned, though, about Charles personally. I'm sure he'll move into the role as expected of him, but I have my doubts he'll be very happy. I've long thought he'd have preferred to be country gentry running the sustainable farm he had for a time near Highgrove.

For the past 40 years or so, Charles has been the CEO of one of the most profitable real estate holdings companies in Europe, a state of affairs that is pretty directly attributable to his hard work. His sons have said that he customarily spends about 50 hours a week tending to business matters. (And he voluntarily pays income tax on the profits even though the Duchy is technically tax-exempt.) That company will now be expected to pass into William's hands. He and his wife also oversee an estimated 500 charitable foundations.

Honestly, being King sounds like it will actually be a step down in terms of day to day responsibilities; mostly those red boxes and weekly meetings with the PM, and matters relating to the Crown itself.

 

[prairie_girl]

Harry didn't make it in time. He arrived at the airport in Aberdeen after the announcement was made.

Oh, how awful.

 

[Imzadi]

That's very interesting!

I assumed William automatically became Prince of Wales.

I suppose it may be that titles are granted by the monarch, so Charles must officially designate that. Does it say something of the sort?

I remember when Charles wed Diana, one of his wedding gifts from the Queen was some more titles. Same for the siblings when they got married. It was up to the Queen to decide which titles and duchies, etc. she wanted to bestow.

William was given a short list of names of duchies (with the Queen's approval) to choose from. The better sounding names/duchies were reserved for the first & second in line. William chose Cambridge.

Prince Edward who is way down the line of succession got Wessex. Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, in my opinion.

King Charles will now just add on more titles etc., to William & Catherine (if/as he wants.)

 

[tink1970]

To use a term I've learned from lots and lots of British Chick Lit, I am gutted.

 

[FigmentSpark]

For those hoping that Charles would abdicate in favor of William, I can't see any father doing that to their son, who has young children of his own. Charles knows first hand what it was like to have his mother's time split between the realm and her young family. He wouldn't want that for William. Whether he will abdicate in 10 or 15 years remains to be seen, but right now, I think he will take the mantle on, himself.

 

[Her Dotness]

I remember when Charles wed Diana, one of his wedding gifts from the Queen was some more titles. Same for the siblings when they got married. It was up to the Queen to decide which titles and duchies, etc. she wanted to bestow.

Oh, yes. That must be why I had a faint recollection of the monarch being the one who had to grant such titles.

I didn't realize Prince of Wales had to be bestowed. Thought that was just handed down to the next Heir To the Throne.

Thanks for that clarification.