They say one chooses one’s friends and one’s enemies. But family – that’s in the stars. Most of us lead fairly normal lives. We go to work, go out, have a drink, get laid – that sort of thing – without getting interrupted. Even if people hold public office, they vacate it sooner or later and can go about their usual lives.
Queen Elizabeth II while inspecting the guard of honour (photo: Boštjan Tacol/Žurnal24)
But if you happen to be born into royality, you’re fucked. Yes the fancy dresses. Yes the royal weddings. Yes the lineages that go all the way back to King Alfred or Charlemagne. But having to rule the country every day since the day you ascend the throne until the day you either croak or abdicate, kind of sucks. And it’s not as if you really have a choice. I mean, you could take a pass, but it is not really what you were brought up for, is it? And so you are – through no fault of your own other than being borin into a specific family – expected to be on top of things daily (Sundays included), receive dignitaries, tour the country, attend receptions and ceremonies, represent the monarchy and be stately basically 24/7. And you have to do it for the rest of your life
If you, however, happen to be a notch or two down the line of ascendacy – or are only married to member of a royal family – then you’re screwed for life. What do you do when you’re second (or twenty-second) in line for the throne? You still can’t take a leak without protocol, but you’ll never amout to anything much and at the end of it there will be precious little you’ll be able to show for yourself. At least compared to the head of the family.
So despite my republican persuasion I have the utmost respect for members of royal families. Especialy the Winsdors. I wouldn’t trade places with them for all the farms in Cuba and I think Queen Elizabeth rocks. Think about it. She has had her weekly conferences with eleven Prime Ministers. From Winston Churchill to Gordon Brown. She ruled the UK since John and Paul were still The Quarrymen, she resisted the charms of Mick The Lick and survived the onslaught of Sid Vicious. And I’m sure that – were they sill on this Earth – John Lennon and Sic Vicious would have joined Sir Mick and Sir Paul in the ranks of nobility. And apparently Margharet Thatcher once remarked that the Queen is the sort of person who would probably vote for social democrats.
The Queen is a cool leader indeed.
P.S.: Hopefully I’ll be able to post a video later in the day.
Finally! Here is the video of the Queen touring Ljubljana Prešeren square, acompanied by President Türk and Mayor Janković
Queen Elizabeth Tours Ljubljana from pengovsky on Vimeo.
I know it’s a bit late, but – better late than never! 🙂
And as good ol’ Ali G (12th P.M.) figured out, she’s nicely shaven 😛
And as we devoted republicans love to say: Long live the Queen! :))
I’d love to see a video 🙂
And, in environmental issues, she seems to be more progressive than the Italian government [http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/oct/21/windpower-renewableenergy]
@alcessa: In the words of Miss Sophie’s butler: I will do my very best 🙂
@Fabio: She’s into renewables, her eldest son is into saving trees… These things seem to run in the family 🙂
😆 But don’t drink while trying to do it. You know what happens! A loose tiger’s head on the street and you are done!
I has glad to see that the highway tunnel didn’t collapse again during her drive into town from the airport.
Pirano: why? It should have – then we could explain to HRH it was an English company that built the parts falling from above (it was, wasn’t it?)
As I mentioned yesterday, she’s a truly remarkable person. Whether one agrees in the concept of royalty (or not) she (unlike some of here family) seems remarkably well liked and respected, despite her occasionally dour demeanour. An achievement in itself.
Adriaan: I agree. Very much so.
Exactly. It would have much too embarrassing for the monarch. More fitting for when someone like Gordon Brown’s motorcade passes through.
pirano: you’re right, yes.
@Adriaan: A trully remarkable achievement!
@alcessa & pirano: rotfl 😀
I’d never imagined I’d see Mr. P confess to a “republican persuasion”. Wonders never cease…
THX. Great music choice!
Was that from her ipod?
@alcessa: Thanks 😀 I was this close to picking London Calling by The Clash, but then I thought The Charlie Watts Quartet was a much better fit
@pirano: Actually, it was Sir Mick and Keith performing that just for her in that Range Rover she stepped out from 😉
Excellent vid, Mr P. I know she’s had lots of practice but she’s turned waving her hand into a minimalist art form, don’t you think?
You are definitely not going to be the successor of Rajmond Debevec! 🙂
Me like her minimalism…. Very suave, very cool 🙂
@Davor: Touche!
However, I’d like to see Rajmond take aim while pouring sweat in a jacket and a turtlneck, with a VX2100 (not the lightest of camcoders) high above his head for most of the time.
It can take it out on the best of us 🙂