HRH Flt Lt Wales
A Lady's Age.........
............. is not Aviate1138, for gentlemen to discuss (this will lead to the obvious retort that there are few gentlemen on PPRUNE) but she was born in 1926! Her consort is close to 90 and, if I've not been trapped by the Grim Reaper, I hope I can still cut it like he does.
Your comments as to her energy and commitment are spot on and I believe her to be a remarkable lady and leader.
I challenge anybody on this forum to outline an alternative system which would fit the Commonwealth model and, importantly, to nominate a candidate for the role (Mandela's too old).
O-D
Your comments as to her energy and commitment are spot on and I believe her to be a remarkable lady and leader.
I challenge anybody on this forum to outline an alternative system which would fit the Commonwealth model and, importantly, to nominate a candidate for the role (Mandela's too old).
O-D
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Old-Duffer
Well said.
Re "I challenge anybody on this forum to outline an alternative system which would fit the Commonwealth model and, importantly, to nominate a candidate for the role (Mandela's too old)."
I think the hard part will be finding someone who is not going to lie (a min of 2 US Presidents + many politicians), get caught out or get caught in compromising situations (at least 1 recent US President + many politicians), or have the back bone like the current Queen.
Or have the drawing power that helps the British tourist industry.
Well said.
Re "I challenge anybody on this forum to outline an alternative system which would fit the Commonwealth model and, importantly, to nominate a candidate for the role (Mandela's too old)."
I think the hard part will be finding someone who is not going to lie (a min of 2 US Presidents + many politicians), get caught out or get caught in compromising situations (at least 1 recent US President + many politicians), or have the back bone like the current Queen.
Or have the drawing power that helps the British tourist industry.
Gentleman Aviator
But as pres we'd never get someone as successful and charismatic (sic) as B Liar. Certainly looking at Europe, it's the "never quite made the top rank" politicians who end up as Head of State (largely functionless) rather than Head of Government.
So we'd end up with the likes of Ted Heath, Denis Healey or Jeremy Thorpe. (NB the likes of, a living President, although more expensive, would be preferable). Or even (OMG as the youth would have it) the Cyclopean North Briton!
Edited to add: I recall quite a few years ago (20+) one of the Sundays did indeed carry out a public poll - the Duke of Edinburgh won! But not now I fear - o tempora, o mores!
So we'd end up with the likes of Ted Heath, Denis Healey or Jeremy Thorpe. (NB the likes of, a living President, although more expensive, would be preferable). Or even (OMG as the youth would have it) the Cyclopean North Briton!
Edited to add: I recall quite a few years ago (20+) one of the Sundays did indeed carry out a public poll - the Duke of Edinburgh won! But not now I fear - o tempora, o mores!
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Happy to serve under Ms Cole, any time, anywhere
The Problem..........
............. with Mandy is that he might have to resign, if past form is anything to go by.
There are some countries where they appoint/elect their head of state but more often than not they're a pretty dull cove. The exception that springs to mind is Mary McAlesse: the Irish President. From what I understand, she is very well regarded and is a role model for other heads of state who are not heriditary.
If we were to forced into abolishing the monarchy, I cannot think of anybody I should wish to have as head of state, who has the gravitas, respect of the public or intelligence to carry off the role. That said, when one of the old Commonwealth countries decides to leave the 'club', it will be fascinating to see how they go about it and who the make head of state.
O-D
There are some countries where they appoint/elect their head of state but more often than not they're a pretty dull cove. The exception that springs to mind is Mary McAlesse: the Irish President. From what I understand, she is very well regarded and is a role model for other heads of state who are not heriditary.
If we were to forced into abolishing the monarchy, I cannot think of anybody I should wish to have as head of state, who has the gravitas, respect of the public or intelligence to carry off the role. That said, when one of the old Commonwealth countries decides to leave the 'club', it will be fascinating to see how they go about it and who the make head of state.
O-D
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TOFO
"His name is Eric Cantona"
Well, you have the boozing, drug and womanising, the only thing
is he's not an Ex Politician.
"His name is Eric Cantona"
Well, you have the boozing, drug and womanising, the only thing
is he's not an Ex Politician.
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Very true.... It seems quite odd that just 70 years ago the very idea of the King being married to a divorcee was enough to force him to abdicate.... and the very notion of the King being married to a commoner was absolutely frowned upon and just not done.....
Oh how things change
Oh how things change
Gentleman Aviator
There is the precedent of the Duke of Windsor.
Her late Maj the Queen Mum (gawd bless 'er) blamed her husband's early death on the unanticipated strain of Kingship - during a war too. And so blamed Wallis and Eddie for it all. (Personally I think the 40 a day might have something to do with it)
Mind you - I can't imagine Ed VIII and Mrs doing as well as Geo VI and his .....
Last edited by teeteringhead; 29th Nov 2010 at 09:24.
Absolutely
Well said TTH.
We were pretty lucky with the last King & Queen. I think she was probably made of stern stuff and he, despite the stammer and the shyness, did his duty admirably. Furthermore, as The Queen Mother (a title not used before eg 'King/Queen Mother' - Alexandra or Mary) the lady continued to make a contribution to our society to the very end of her years.
Two years after her death, I made a proposition through 'official channels' and an article in a military magazine, that the 'Order of Elizabeth' be created to honour those involved specifically in volunteer and charitable work. Didn't get anywhere but of course we now have the 'Elizabeth Cross' for something equally worthy.
O-D
We were pretty lucky with the last King & Queen. I think she was probably made of stern stuff and he, despite the stammer and the shyness, did his duty admirably. Furthermore, as The Queen Mother (a title not used before eg 'King/Queen Mother' - Alexandra or Mary) the lady continued to make a contribution to our society to the very end of her years.
Two years after her death, I made a proposition through 'official channels' and an article in a military magazine, that the 'Order of Elizabeth' be created to honour those involved specifically in volunteer and charitable work. Didn't get anywhere but of course we now have the 'Elizabeth Cross' for something equally worthy.
O-D
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Old Duffer
I think that most people of that era were made of stern stuff,
especially those that came through the World Wars.
Remembering what my Grand parents / parents went through before
and during the war (Rationing, being shot up by a German plane (Stuka)
in Croydon, V1's, V2's).
Just my HO.
I think that most people of that era were made of stern stuff,
especially those that came through the World Wars.
Remembering what my Grand parents / parents went through before
and during the war (Rationing, being shot up by a German plane (Stuka)
in Croydon, V1's, V2's).
Just my HO.
Last edited by 500N; 29th Nov 2010 at 07:04.