The Queen - why is she not retiring?

Sunny

Sunny

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This is probably a question best answered by the Brits here, but it's really a question for anyone who knows more about this than I do. I can't understand why, at the age of 96, she is still on the throne. Charles is pretty elderly already himself, and it seems as if she feels she has good reason to deprive him of the opportunity to be king, probably not for long in any case.

Does she actually hold any real power, or is it all just ceremonial?
 

The Queen remains the head of British state, the highest representative of the United Kingdom on the national and international stage. The head of the British government, however, is the Prime Minister. One serves as a symbol of the country and the other serves as the chief executive of the government.
In her role as head of state, Queen Elizabeth II gives a regular speech at the opening of each new Parliament and makes official appearances and speeches on holidays and special occasions.
The Queen keeps in close contact with the Prime Minister and is regularly briefed on all important national matters, but never publicly weighs in on political debates—nor are any final decisions up to her.
As the Royal Family has shed most of its political powers, Queen Elizabeth, her husband and her children have emphasized their roles in various charitable organizations—the Queen is the titular “patron” of over 600 charities, although this role consists mostly of drawing attention to the causes. Her presence during some of the great crises in recent British history, including the COVID-19 pandemic, has drawn praise.

As Britain's global empire crumbled in the wake of World War II, a number of its formal colonies declared independence but chose enter the Commonwealth of Nations, of which the Queen remains the figurehead. Citizens of Australia, Canada and many island nations across the world consider themselves subjects of Queen Elizabeth, who famously toured 13 of these “Commonwealth realms” in 1953. Elizabeth appears on the currency of many of these nations and her visits are usually a cause for celebration, but her duties there, as in her home country, are entirely ceremonial.

https://www.history.com/news/queen-elizabeth-ii-then-now-photos

She took an oath that stated...'' I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.''

..and she's done just that...
 
I think, at one point, she made a promise to herself that she would never retire. Her uncle Edward VIII abdicated for that American tramp (heh) and she and the whole family thought it was the Worst Thing Ever. Then her poor father, a sensitive man with a stutter who never expected to be king, had to take the job and died a few years later it was so stressful to him.

I think when it became her turn she decided to do the best she could for the rest of her life, and I think she's been wonderful. Being the most important monarch in the world is not a job from which one might retire, but a birthright for life.

Hear hear Holly! She was posting while I was typing and said it better.
 

From the small bit I watched the poor lady looked tired, mouth drooping, no smile, I felt sorry for her, she was trotted out as a figurehead.

IMO she does not retire as she does not want to pass the crown to Charles who she knows is not well liked. In this way she will not have to witness the people turning against her son and heir.
 
It's very sobering when I think.. both my father and mother were young people when the Queen was crowned.. my father was the exact same age as the Queen born the same week... and my mother was just 19 years old ... and yet both have been gone a long time.

It's amazing to think that the Queen is still here and still working... when my parents ( my mum was Elizabeth and my father was Charles..)... are long gone,
 
Lee... this was the Queen today after the procession and on the Balcony... looked like she was having a fab time

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Roman catholic popes serve until death. There was an amusing joke in our newspapers when Pope Benedict became the first pope to retire. A photo of him with the depiction that read: "I'm 85, I must retire," was followed by a picture of Queen Elizabeth with the caption: "Wuss." (it means, wimp.)
 
She is not going to Church tomorrow???? That speaks volumes. Tired, ill and does not want to put up the pretense any longer. I feel sorry for her.

People will read into this as they will. I think she has done her time and her time is up to move on and pass the crown.
 
Why should The Queen retire? Because she looks old and tired? So are the rest of us, lol. Yeah, she's old, but she looks pretty spry to me. I'd like to see any one of us up to doing what she has to do in a day. She is exactly where she should be. good

Bella ✌️
 
I watched the whole Trooping of the Colours ceremony last night and I was astounded by the excellence of this military spectacle. No-one taking part seemed to think that it was time too retire. No-one in the crowd watching on or lining the streets did either. We all know that her days are limited now and with that in mind every care was taken to put on a show like no other, in her honour. Charles, Anne and William took part on horseback demonstrating that the Queen is supported by her family and that when she dies the succession will be smooth and peaceful.

The ceremony is quite long and the Queen wisely saved her energy for the traditional appearance on the balcony. The photo of her looking stern is misleading. She is scrutinising the passing parade with intense interest. Beside her in Phillip's place was her cousin, the Duke of Kent, who looks even older than the Queen. When the family came out to join her she became more animated, talking to her great grandchildren and smiling as the aerial flyover began. She beamed with delight as one formation paid special tribute in the form of the numeral 70.

IMO she does not need to retire as the symbol of the UK and the Commonwealth. In the words of one of our prime ministers on the occasion of her first tour of Australia, "I did but see her passing by, and yet I love her till I die." (It was taken from a 17th century poem by Thomas Ford). Millions of people still wish her good health and happiness and hope that one day she has an easy death as reigning queen.

PS, typing this I have started to weep, and I'm far away in Australia.
 
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jujube said:
Question: Does the Queen HAVE to step down to Charles or can she name William as her successor?
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Firstly, she won't step down because she will not abdicate.
The minute she is declared dead Charles will be recognised as the next King.
The words "The Queen is dead; long live the King" will be the sign that Charles is then the new Head of State.

A period of mourning will then follow, after which arrangements will be made for the coronation of Charles (and presumably of Camilla as Queen Consort, the same title given to Elizabeth's mother).

I remember the mourning period for the Queen's father. The colours for royal mourning are purple and black and shop fronts were draped in these colours. I imagine this time round there will be buildings lit with light displays and laser beams ascending skywards.
 
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hollydolly said:
I agree.. , and if ..IF... she decides to hand over the reigns it will be her decision and her decision only.. we've been very lucky to have a reigning monarch for 70 years who still very much has all her grey cells well and truly oiled, even if her physical body is starting to fade..
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When I look around now and in the past throughout my lifetime, at all the
leaders we hear about, via the media, leaders of Nations and of Companies,
I always thought that, Queen Elizabeth ll, is the only person who is in the
correct job, a job that she has carried out brilliantly and without complaint
for most of my life.

jujube said:
Question: Does the Queen HAVE to step down to Charles or can she name William as her successor?
Click to expand...
The Queen, I don't think has any say in who will follow her on to the throne,
Charles is the oldest son, so he is the one, if he died first, then his brother
Andrew would be next, but changes have been made and the line established
a few years ago, anyway, Charles has always wanted to be King, so he would
not allow the chance to pass him by.

The Queen has trouble walking and that is her only complaint, she is still very
bright and articulate, she still gets around, more than I do and I am 15 years
younger, she flew to Scotland for a few days last week.

The Queen's Mum, Elizabeth Bowes Lion, lived until she was 101 years, so may
we have Queen Elizabeth for some more years, hopefully.

Mike.
 
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