# Queen Elizabeth celebrates 60 years as monarch **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 5, 2012, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896 "2012-02-05T21:56:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/61 "2012-02-08T19:05:44Z")
> [@Dublin11](#): > > This doesn’t seem to be the case. Maybe I’m wrong about that, but the only actual republican party I’ve ever heard of who had members elected to Westmister were Sinn Fein. Stood to reason for them, obviously. But they don’t get elected to there any more, of course. There are a handful of Sinn Fein MPs elected to the Westminster Parliament, but they don’t take their seats. > [@](#): > > Is there a credible political British republican movement that I’ve just not heard about? There are pressure groups, but there’s none of the main political parties that have any significant republican faction. Labour probably has the most members with republican sympathies, but they are far from making that part of the party platform. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/62 "2012-02-08T22:49:35Z")
> [@jsc1953](#): > > It’s been a while since the War of the Roses, and Bonnie Prince Charlie et al…but there may still be a general uneasiness amongst the royals about having more than one potential claimant to the throne around at the same time. They were definitely worried about that, especially between the abdication and the war. Instructions were even sent to British embassies ordering them not to receive Edward officially if he visited their country. ---
**Author:** ![spankthecrumpet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@spankthecrumpet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spankthecrumpet)\ **Post date:** [February 8, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/63 "2012-02-08T23:06:29Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > It is true that opinion polls in the UK consistently show a majority in support of _having a monarchy_. However, this isn’t the same as saying the current Parasite In Chief has done a good job. It’s possible to be in favour of the institution without necessarily thinking the current Monarch is any good. While your statement is correct technically correct, mister former (?) fridge magnet, I very much doubt that there are a significant number of UK monarchists who dislike the current incumbent. ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/64 "2012-02-09T03:52:05Z")
> [@spankthecrumpet](#): > > While your statement is correct technically correct, mister former (?) fridge magnet, I very much doubt that there are a significant number of UK monarchists who dislike the current incumbent. The interesting fun will be when it’s Charles’s turn. 😃 I think a lot of the old-time monarchist types might not be so keen on Charles and Camilla, you know, might disapprove strongly of all that adultery and divorce stuff. They do seem to enjoy a good grumble about that sort of thing in the \*Telegraph \*and the _Daily Mail_. ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/65 "2012-02-09T11:15:51Z")
Even then I don’t think it will be so bad. Charles is a quirky one for sure, and lacks his mother’s charisma, but he won’t be around long and unless he does something _really bloody stupid_ I think the monarchy will sail along fine. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/66 "2012-02-09T19:02:19Z")
She has done remarkably well in 60 years on the throne. God save Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland - long may she reign! > [@Dublin11](#): > > …Is there a credible political British republican movement that I’ve just not heard about? In short, no: [Republicanism in the United Kingdom - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republicanism_in_the_United_Kingdom) ---
**Author:** ![tazmin98](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@tazmin98](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tazmin98)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/67 "2012-02-09T19:29:34Z")
Charles won’t get the throne! I think it will pass on to Will. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/68 "2012-02-09T19:39:01Z")
> [@tazmin98](#): > > Charles won’t get the throne! I think it will pass on to Will. And how exactly will this happen? Do you think an 85-year-old woman is likely to outlive a 63-year-old man? If so you may want to spend a little time with some actuarial tables. Or do you think Parliament will suddenly change the succession law, even though they have made **no move to do so** in the 30 years since Charles began having marial issues, and the matter isn’t even under discussion? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/69 "2012-02-09T21:03:58Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > …Or do you think Parliament will suddenly change the succession law, even though they have made **no move to do so** in the 30 years since Charles began having marial issues, and the matter isn’t even under discussion? I knew about Camilla. Who’s Marial? ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2012, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/70 "2012-02-10T00:03:18Z")
I meant “malarial”. He’s been hitting the quinine pretty hard. ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/71 "2012-02-11T18:30:55Z")
Also on her usefulness list: [Heavy personal arms defense of the realm](http://verydemotivational.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/demotivational-posters-queen-elizabeth.jpg). (She learned this stuff during WWII, and she’s still got it!) ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/72 "2012-02-11T19:06:21Z")
> [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](#): > > I meant “malarial”. He’s been hitting the quinine pretty hard. Isn’t that where the drink ‘gin and tonic’ comes from? Something to force down the taste of the quinine that was taken by the British in India? ---
**Author:** ![Gagundathar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a183cd/32.png) [@Gagundathar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gagundathar)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/73 "2012-02-11T21:34:05Z")
Yes. That is when ‘gin and tonic’ became synonymous with the British in the Raj. ---
**Author:** ![missinformation](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@missinformation](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missinformation)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/74 "2012-02-11T21:51:22Z")
My mother received [this](http://dollreference.com/images3/reliable_qelizabeth_diane2.jpg) from my grandfather…she was recovering from scarlet fever at the time… ---
**Author:** ![Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hypnagogic_jerk/32/4252_2.png) [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hypnagogic_Jerk)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/75 "2012-02-12T00:02:00Z")
> [@Sunspace](#): > > Here in Canada, getting rid of the monarchy, or even caring about the monarchy, takes up about 0.00000001% of the public’s interest. Maybe so, but as I said [post=14701097]in a recent post[/post], the current government seems to be trying to make the monarchy into a political issue. And I honestly have no idea why: it’s presumably to gain political benefits, but I’d have thought most hard-core monarchists in Canada would already be Conservative voters anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Malden\_Capell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malden_capell/32/5274_2.png) [@Malden\_Capell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malden_Capell)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/76 "2012-02-12T00:43:02Z")
> [@Hypnagogic\_Jerk](#): > > Maybe so, but as I said [post=14701097]in a recent post[/post], the current government seems to be trying to make the monarchy into a political issue. And I honestly have no idea why: it’s presumably to gain political benefits, but I’d have thought most hard-core monarchists in Canada would already be Conservative voters anyway. There is truth in what you say, although it was already treated as a political issue in the original wave of ‘demonarchifying’ the Canadian State, and there were some bizarre name-changes. Like ‘Land Force Command’ and the like? Weird. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/77 "2012-02-12T02:30:38Z")
> [@missinformation](#): > > My mother received [this](http://dollreference.com/images3/reliable_qelizabeth_diane2.jpg) from my grandfather…she was recovering from scarlet fever at the time… Did it cause a relapse? (No disrespect to Her Majesty — or **missinformation** ’s mother, for that matter — but that is one scary facial expression.) ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/78 "2012-02-12T02:34:08Z")
Okay, not that it matters, because she’s not alive, but suppose Diana were alive, while still being divorced from Charles. Would she be allowed to attend William’s coronation, when and if? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/79 "2012-02-12T02:54:21Z")
> [@ianzin](#): > > … she doesn’t even do her job well. If you’re still reading this, I asked above, and I repeat, why do you believe that she has not done a good job as Head of State? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2012, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896/80 "2012-02-12T03:04:56Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > Okay, not that it matters, because she’s not alive, but suppose Diana were alive, while still being divorced from Charles. Would she be allowed to attend William’s coronation, when and if? That would be up to the new King, and I would astonished if he would order her to stay away, even if he could. By all accounts they were very close. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/queen-elizabeth-celebrates-60-years-as-monarch/611896.md?page=5)