King Charles III, his Life of Service

[Laurie]

And now the Wessexes have put off their trip to the Caribbean, even more bodying.

 

[hollydolly]

Sandringham Norfolk...is just over 100 miles from Buck house, and 90 miles from my house .. the Queen always travels by train until recently and now she flies by helicopter.. a mere 30 minutes, she reportedly is there now...

​

Prince Edward and Sophie's Royal Caribbean tour - which has already seen their visit to Grenada postponed - has hit another problem after island officials warned: 'We hear the phony sanctimony of those who came before you'.

The pair had been due to travel to the island, where the Queen is still head of state, as part of a Platinum Jubilee Tour to the region.
But following high-level discussions between Buckingham Palace, the government of Grenada and its governor-general, the Queen’s in-country representative, an 11th-hour decision was taken to cancel.

Now Ambassador Dorbrene O’Marde, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission, has written an open letter to Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex that could hardly be described as welcoming.

It criticised the Royal Family for past comments on slavery and warned them not to repeat them.

The message said: 'Everyone in your family continues to live in the splendour, pomp and wealth attained through the proceeds of the crime.
'It has become common for members of the Royal Family and representatives of the government of Britain to come to this region and lament that slavery was an "appalling atrocity", that it was 'abhorrent', that "it should not have happened".

'We hear the phony sanctimony of those who came before you that these crimes are a "stain on your history".

( what a very odd statement to make , what are they expecting this Royal family to do about past history )?

 

[Laurie]

Sandringham Norfolk...is just over 100 miles from Buck house, and 90 miles from my house .. the Queen always travels by train until recently and now she flies by helicopter.. a mere 30 minutes, she reportedly is there now...

​

Prince Edward and Sophie's Royal Caribbean tour - which has already seen their visit to Grenada postponed - has hit another problem after island officials warned: 'We hear the phony sanctimony of those who came before you'.

The pair had been due to travel to the island, where the Queen is still head of state, as part of a Platinum Jubilee Tour to the region.
But following high-level discussions between Buckingham Palace, the government of Grenada and its governor-general, the Queen’s in-country representative, an 11th-hour decision was taken to cancel.

Now Ambassador Dorbrene O’Marde, Chairman of the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission, has written an open letter to Prince Edward and Sophie Countess of Wessex that could hardly be described as welcoming.

It criticised the Royal Family for past comments on slavery and warned them not to repeat them.

The message said: 'Everyone in your family continues to live in the splendour, pomp and wealth attained through the proceeds of the crime.
'It has become common for members of the Royal Family and representatives of the government of Britain to come to this region and lament that slavery was an "appalling atrocity", that it was 'abhorrent', that "it should not have happened".

'We hear the phony sanctimony of those who came before you that these crimes are a "stain on your history".

( what a very odd statement to make , what are they expecting this Royal family to do about past history )?

But she didn't go from Buck House, she went from Windsor, her favourite home, where she was quite comfortable.

I'm 10 years younger than she is but I wouldn't fancy a 30 minute helicopter flight for any non essential reason. Choppers are notoriously uncomfortable and there is no Queens Flight anymore.

 

[Meanderer]

They use of helicopters—sometimes to travel between their houses. (2017)

"One of the quickest ways royals can get around the U.K. is to travel by helicopter. Between April 2018 and April 2019, 204 journeys were made on royal helicopters which cost a total of £688,845. Regulations permit the royals to use public funds to travel from residence to residence, trips they often make by helicopter. The Queen’s Helicopter Flight currently has two helicopters in operation, which are based at RAF Odiham (a Royal Air Force Station in the English town of Odiham)."

"While he doesn’t usually fly himself to or on official engagements, Prince William still likes to get behind the controls of a helicopter following his years spent in the Royal Air Force Search and Rescue and later as an air ambulance pilot. He took the opportunity to fly one for the cameras in January 2019 to highlight the work of the London Air Ambulance." (READ MORE)

Prince George peeks inside a helicopter before departing from Hamburg airport in 2017.
Chris Jackson Getty Images

 

[Meanderer]

"Despite the possible dangers involved in air travel, royal historian David McClure suspects that's exactly why the royals are so drawn to it."

"Part of the attraction of air travel must be the risks. It's a sense of adventure. I suspect they quite like the thrill of putting their life on the line," he explains. "But there might also be a deeper, psychological reason they're attracted to flight: because they live most of their life in a gilded cage. Their life is regimented. When they go up in the air, they're almost free. They're literally spreading their wings."

 

[Meanderer]

It's a miniature Buckingham Palace in motion, a sleek and streamlined royal residence of the railroads, and the queen's favorite way to travel: the royal train. It's a centuries-old institution which is still shuttling senior members of the royal family around today.

Inside the Queen's Royal Train & it's probably not as luxurious as you would expect

 

[JonSR77]

I have always thought he was a good and honorable person. Maybe caught inside of web of twisted politics. But I do think he has lived a life, trying to be a good servant of the British people. Not perfect or anything, but I think at heart, he has always wanted to be a good person and serve England well.

People talk about his affair with Camilla. But I see it the opposite way. Because of the pressures of royalty he was basically forced to marry someone that he did not know, was not in love with and was many years his junior.

Not disparaging Princess Di. I think she was an amazing person.

 

[Laurie]

We are not talking about the Royals, most of the males are qualified and current helicopter pilots, but HM herself who has severe mobility problems and I suggest would find getting into and out of a helicopter very difficult, I know I would.

There is no longer a Queens flight or a Queens train, let alone a Royal Yacht, though that's not to say a little bit of painting and primping goes on if she's due to travel!

 

[Meanderer]

12/10/21
"Released on their Twitter account, the image shows the couple and their three children, Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3, while on a private trip to Jordan. The family, snapped sitting in front of a red rock, shows George and Charlotte perched on individual chairs and their brother, Louis, sitting on a rug, crossed legged."

"Behind the trio, William sits on a small gold seat next to Kate, who has positioned her hand on her husband's knee. A grown-up looking George wears a camouflage-print polo shirt while Charlotte is in a gingham blue dress and little Louis wears a grey polo shirt."

 

[Lewkat]

12/10/21
"Released on their Twitter account, the image shows the couple and their three children, Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3, while on a private trip to Jordan. The family, snapped sitting in front of a red rock, shows George and Charlotte perched on individual chairs and their brother, Louis, sitting on a rug, crossed legged."

"Behind the trio, William sits on a small gold seat next to Kate, who has positioned her hand on her husband's knee. A grown-up looking George wears a camouflage-print polo shirt while Charlotte is in a gingham blue dress and little Louis wears a grey polo shirt."

George doesn't look so grim to me.

 

[Laurie]

Just been announced not the Queen will not attend the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow.

That is a big occasion for us and is a measure of how serious her mobility problems are.

Charles will handle it supported by William and it will be a good opportunity for him to feel his way into the formal state occasion.

 

[hollydolly]

Look at the way William is looking at the crown ... it's a look of deep regret. Wonder what they know that we don't with regard to the Queen

 

[hollydolly]

Equally Charles looks very sad... he's someone who usually has a twinkle in his eye about everything..

 

[Laurie]

It increasingly looks as though instead of pomp and pageantry we might have a very subdued jubilee!

 

[Laurie]

The throne is not empty, and never is and will never appear as such during any ceremony.

When Her Majesty gives a speech she says "my government will" it is therefore right and proper the charge should say "her majesty's government will"

 

[hollydolly]

Actually there's a picture published a few days ago of the queen which shows her slightly bowed and verrry thin..while giving audience at the Palace.. Lemme see if I can find it

I suspect she probably has upper spine and or neck issues.. because in recent times all pictures of her talking to those taller than her have her just raising her eyes, rather then lifting her head..

 

[RadishRose]

Currently, the palace is doing everything possible to see that she makes it to her Platinum Jubilee, celebrating her 70 years as queen.

I remember this one and the next on TV. Yes, she seemed so frail. She said she couldn't move, but smiled so sweetly.

 

[Laurie]

The Queen has not given an audience for some time, audiences are virtual these days.

However her intellect is still sharp as a needle and she does all her own boxes, But her mobility remains a problem

 

[hollydolly]

Q: "How old was Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) when she knew she would one day be queen?"

"She knew when she was about 10, at the time of the Abdication of King Edward VIII."

"A well-attested story says that she and her younger sister Margaret were together, and there was a great deal of noise outside. Princess Elizabeth went to ask a footman what was going on. She came back and reported to Princess Margaret that “Uncle David's not going to be King any more, so Daddy has to be King.”

"Princess Margaret asked, “Does that mean you've got to be Queen one day?” and on hearing that it did, commented, “Poor you!”

yes that's gone down in the anals of history, I've heard that since I was very young. I've always loved that picture of the 2 of them...

 

[hollydolly]

Great news.. the Queen today is looking fantastic after her enforced rest... and up and atem...

was brimming with excitement and joy today amid ongoing mobility problems as she headed to the Royal Windsor Horse Show - one of her favourite events of the year.

The 96-year-old monarch wound down her window and chatted animatedly to fellow festival-goers having never missed the event in the past 79 years.

But after missing the Queen's Speech on Tuesday on doctor's orders as she struggles to walk or stand for long periods, Her Majesty chose to stay in the passenger seat of her Range Rover.

It came after made a secret trip to see her own horses this week as she missed the first day of the event yesterday. 14 of her animals will be taking part over the coming days.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show was also beloved of her husband, Prince Philip, who died last April at the age of 99, so attended today will be both a poignant and a happy memory of their 73-year marriage.

Pics of the horse show here https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10812857/Queen-smiles-arrives-Royal-Windsor-Horse-Show.html

 

[Lewkat]

Great news.. the Queen today is looking fantastic after her enforced rest... and up and atem...

was brimming with excitement and joy today amid ongoing mobility problems as she headed to the Royal Windsor Horse Show - one of her favourite events of the year.

The 96-year-old monarch wound down her window and chatted animatedly to fellow festival-goers having never missed the event in the past 79 years.

But after missing the Queen's Speech on Tuesday on doctor's orders as she struggles to walk or stand for long periods, Her Majesty chose to stay in the passenger seat of her Range Rover.

It came after made a secret trip to see her own horses this week as she missed the first day of the event yesterday. 14 of her animals will be taking part over the coming days.

The Royal Windsor Horse Show was also beloved of her husband, Prince Philip, who died last April at the age of 99, so attended today will be both a poignant and a happy memory of their 73-year marriage.

Pics of the horse show here https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10812857/Queen-smiles-arrives-Royal-Windsor-Horse-Show.html

Good to see her. I was beginning to think she was in a very bad way. Rest does her good.

 

[hollydolly]

Good to see her. I was beginning to think she was in a very bad way. Rest does her good.

Yes I agree, I was thinking the same as you, but clearly she was just needing a good rest... she really should have handed the reigns over to Charles much sooner, she would probably have had a better quality of life.. perhaps she'll do that from now on, without actually abdicating ..

 

[hollydolly]

Queen today at the races with her youngest son Edward... I can honestly say I can't remember a time when she was so animated, this rest has done her a power of good

 

[hollydolly]

The woman camera left next to the Queen is Penelope Knatchbull .. Prince Philips' Carriage driving companion.. and 'closest confidant''

 

[Lewkat]

I think she looks terrific for a woman of 96. I know she has a pampered life for the most part, but I understand she is a very hard worker.