You are here:Home Archives for Monarchies United Kingdom
June 17, 2013

Duke of Edinburgh Returns Home

After nearly two weeks in the hospital, the Duke of Edinburgh returns home.

The Queen’s 92-year-old husband was admitted for exploratory abdominal surgery on June 6. Though Philip spent his 92nd birthday (June 10) in the hospital, he was not left wanting for visitors; the Queen and other members of his family came to visit over the course of his 11-day stay.

The Duke has always had marvelous health, but despite his desire to carry on as usual, in recent years he has had to take extra care due simply to age. Buckingham Palace released a statement today stating that while the Duke is in “good condition and good spirits”, he will be taking “a period of convalescence of approximately two months”.

Filed Under: Announcements, For Your Interest, Monarchies, United Kingdom Tagged With: Leave a Comment
June 2, 2013

Elizabeth, A Legacy

Elizabeth, A Legacy

Sixty years ago today, the former Princess Elizabeth was crowned Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey. It was a day of great pomp and circumstance, befitting a lovely new monarch.

Queen-Philip-Margaret_large

Joining her on the day were her small children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, along with her mother, husband, and sister (as seen above). It was a day that the Queen would never forget, and certainly a day that would live in her subjects’ minds and hearts for many years to come.

King George VI Coronation

Above, another special coronation day that would be a big part of Elizabeth’s life: that of her father, King George VI. He was not prepared to take the crown, but he did so out of duty to his country and his family. The war time king became a symbol for his nation and a noble presence that the princess adored her entire life.

Even from a young age, Elizabeth has been dutiful and mindful of not merely her own legacy, but that of her father’s, grandfather’s, and all of the monarchs before her. Even to this day, 60 years later, she has not let us down. God Save The Queen! Vivat Regina!

Filed Under: Commentary, Events, History, Monarchies, United Kingdom Tagged With: , , Leave a Comment
May 22, 2013

Katie, Queen of Wags

Hilary Mantel was blasted for describing the Duchess of Cambridge as a “shop window mannequin”, so I can only imagine the backlash that writer Joan Smith will receive for calling Kate “Queen Wag”.

Kate engagement

Oh, hai.

Smith is an English novelist and human rights activist who once turned down an MBE because of her republican stance against the royal family. Smith is so annoyed with the Duchess of Cambridge that she has even devoted an entire chapter of her new book, The Public Woman, to a Duchess critique.

In the book, Smith says that “By the age of 30, the new Duchess had done little since leaving university except play a supporting role to her boyfriend, marry him with great pomp and ceremony and get pregnant.”

Smith bitingly describes Kate as “unambitious, uncontroversial and bland”, dubbing her Queen Wag – shorthand for “Wives And Girlfriends” who are usually the companions of football players. They are characterized by heavy makeup, lack of ambition other than being famous, and seem to live only for shopping and luxury. In other words, you couldn’t be more shallow if you tried. Ouch.


You can say Smith is accomplished, perhaps even ambitious. Like Hilary Mantel, she certainly can make a statement. Are her statements to be taken seriously? Some Kate fans may not think so and dismiss it all out of hand as mere jealousy. An older, republican-minded woman? Surely she cannot touch the golden duchess.

To me, you cannot dismiss these statements. However, the real upset comes when people who support the monarchy and who generally like Kate start to question her. I am one such person. As I said before, Kate is probably a nice person, but her distinct lack of work experience – but plenty of club and party experience – has given her a reputation. The Duchess must shine through all of this, rather than being just a hair and clothes girl. Especially when she is poised to become a future queen consort whose title will put her on par with educated and professional European Crown Princesses and queens. Palace, take note.

Kate, don’t let the Brits down!

What will people say to this? Will there be a series of personal attacks on Smith’s appearance, as with Mantel? What is your reaction?

Filed Under: Commentary, Controversy, Style + Glamour, United Kingdom Leave a Comment
May 10, 2013

Do Americans Give European Royals The Brush Off?

Do Americans give European royals the brush off? Though King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima were resplendent in their regal finery, and he being the first Dutch king in 123 years, America did not light up with interest.

CNN’s Erin Burnett discusses whether or not Americans pay much attention to anyone other than the Windsors.

Here’s what I think, and feel free to agree or disagree:

The British royals all speak English. That makes life easy for us. Unfortunately, we don’t typically have opportunities to learn other European languages other than basic French or Spanish in high school.

Plus, the coverage of the investiture was not widely reported in our media like it would be for the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince Harry, or Prince William. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima are older and more businesslike. Many Americans are pulled only by glossy Hollywood-type royals, and the media plays into that. Queen Elizabeth II is an institution all her own, and people respect her. Otherwise, the public can’t be bothered with serious monarchy; there is only interest when something scandalous or fashionable happens.

Then there was the issue of time: only the most devoted Dutch-Americans and royal watchers were up for the ceremony. Timing for live impact was nearly impossible and really exhausting. The Netherlands is 6 hours ahead, and that’s just for the Eastern U.S.!


I believe that these are some of the reasons that the Dutch royals did not garner as much interest as the British would. Or is Erin Burnett right – is our “love affair” with royalty on the way out?

Do you agree or disagree? Your thoughts in the comments below!

Filed Under: Commentary, Events, Monarchies, Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States Tagged With: , , , Leave a Comment
May 5, 2013

Who Or What Is An “HRH”?

HIS/HER ROYAL HIGHNESS (HRH)

The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip)
The Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall (Charles and Camilla)
The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge (William and Catherine)
Prince Harry of Wales
The Duke of York (Prince Andrew)
Princess Beatrice of York
Princess Eugenie of York
The Earl & Countess of Wessex (Edward and Sophie)
*James, Viscount Severn
*Lady Louise Windsor
The Princess Royal (Princess Anne)
The Duke & Duchess of Kent (Edward and Katherine)
Prince & Princess Michael of Kent (Michael and Marie-Christine)
Princess Alexandra of Kent
The Duke & Duchess of Gloucester (Richard and Birgitte)

* Lady Louise and Viscount Severn, as children of a royal prince, would be styled HRH save for the Queen’s press release upon Prince Edward’s marriage. Though the Earl is a son of the Queen, Her Majesty decreed that his children were to be styled as a daughter and son of an Earl rather than a prince.

diamond queenHER MAJESTY

Queen Elizabeth II

A queen/king is always referred to as “Your Majesty”, never “Your Royal Highness”.

Filed Under: History, Monarchies, United Kingdom Tagged With: Leave a Comment
April 9, 2013

In Memoriam: Margaret Thatcher Dies After Stroke

Margaret Thatcher Baroness Margaret Thatcher has died.

The former British Prime Minister, known as “The Iron Lady”, died after suffering a stroke. She was 87.

Margaret Hilda Thatcher, who later became Baroness Thatcher, was the only female Prime Minister in British history, holding the post for 11 years (1979-1990). Thatcher was a close ally of U.S. President Ronald Reagan, whose term in office ran parallel to hers (1981-1989).

While Thatcher shared a good relationship with America’s Head of State, her own was more of a mystery to her. Thatcher was known to be extremely obsequious towards the Queen in public; the Queen thought Lady Thatcher a bit cold, but respected her. Their relationship was cordial, but the monarch’s non-confrontational personality did not gel with the oft-confrontational and pragmatic Iron Lady.

Thatcher stepped down in 1990, and John Major took the reins of power.

Current PM David Cameron eulogized Thatcher as “the patriot Prime Minister” who believed that Britain was a significant power on the world stage and should be proud of its contributions. Her famous “No! No! No!” speech in Parliament honestly and concisely declared her antipathy for closer European integration.

Due to declining health, Thatcher left public life entirely in 2002.

Baroness Thatcher (née Roberts) was born October 13, 1925. She is survived by her children, Mark and Carol. Her husband, Denis Thatcher, predeceased her in 2003.

Filed Under: Announcements, Events, In Memoriam, United Kingdom Tagged With: , Leave a Comment
March 11, 2013

Kate’s Critics Get Blasted, But Are They Right?

English: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, on h...

The Duchess of Cambridge, on her first royal tour, visiting Ottawa for Canada Day celebrations. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Kate has been criticized yet again. Girlfriend better get a tough skin, or at least prove her mettle to offset the complaints.

Author Hilary Mantel famously criticized Kate and the Royal family during a recent lecture. Now Sandi Toksvig, a radio host on BBC Radio 4, takes her turn.

“Kate Middleton is not enough for me,” she said, speaking to the Observer Magazine.

“We used to admire women who got their place in life through marriage and having children, but I like to think we’ve grown up a bit.

“I can’t think of a single opinion [the Duchess] holds – it’s very Jane Austen.” said Toksvig.

This follows Mantel’s remarks that Kate is a “shop-window mannequin, with no personality of her own, entirely defined by what she wore.” Mantel said that she does not regret her statements.

The mature people of the world immediately attacked their appearances with cruel remarks, because obviously beauty trumps reason! Why should these women be castigated for their comments, completely within the bounds of free speech and common sense? Did anyone actually stop to listen to the content of what they were saying?

Before you get the idea that I dislike Kate, I don’t. She is fairly unremarkable, however – at least for the moment.

I think what Mantel and Toksvig are saying is that we don’t know Kate, by the Duchess’ own design and the wishes of the Palace. We don’t really know what the Duchess is made of, we just see a work-shy young girl who married a prince, and is now known for smiling prettily and flipping her hair out of her face.

Kate needs to step forward and show herself. Then again, the Palace does not want another scene-hogging Diana, so a quieter person such as Kate is ideal for them. Case in point, neither Kate nor the Palace is doing her any favors by making her a blank slate.

Take note, Palace – until the caterpillar emerges from the chrysalis, the comments will continue.

royal-210x60

Enhanced by Zemanta

Filed Under: Commentary, Controversy, Monarchies, United Kingdom Tagged With: , , 2 Comments
March 11, 2013

One Is Opposed to Discrimination

Userpage icon for supporting gender equality.One is opposed to discrimination: the Queen will sign a charter supporting gender equality and other rights.

The charter includes affirmations on democracy, human rights, international peace and security. It also contains a commitment to “gender equality” and “women’s empowerment”. This is seen as a step forward for gay rights, a huge deal considering that several of the Queen’s Commonwealth nations disapprove of – and strongly punish – homosexuality.

“Women’s empowerment” refers to the endorsement of new legislation ending discrimination against women in the line of succession to the British throne. During the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last year, the Queen made the move to allow her female heirs equal access to the throne. If the first child for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is a daughter, that child cannot be supplanted by a younger brother.

Without getting dragged into political activism over gay rights, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said that “the Queen, as in all matters, is apolitical but is signing the document in her capacity as head of the Commonwealth.”

 

Related articles

royal-210x60

Enhanced by Zemanta

Filed Under: Announcements, Australia, Canada, Controversy, History, Monarchies, New Zealand, United Kingdom Tagged With: , Leave a Comment
Next Page»