Queen Elizabeth II

[happypenguin]

(Searched but could not find a thread for her)

Was thinking of her when I was reading about the Helen Mirren film.

How popular is she really? I was thinking that somehow she's more popular post-Diana than before Diana died.

Is the film likely to affect her public image?

[Deleted]

I like her. She's savvy and no-nonsense and seems to have balls of steel (so to speak).

[nuharoo]

She's everything a Queen should be. Everything.

[heyalice]

I've always respected the Queen. I sincerely hopes she lives as long as her mother.
The thing that bugged me the most during the coverage of Diana's death were the headlines, "Where is our Queen?" My thought was where she should be, at home being a loving, protective grandmother to her grandbabies who just lost their mother. That's just me.

[nuharoo]

My thought was where she should be, at home being a loving, protective grandmother to her grandbabies who just lost their mother. That's just me.

I agree. It's as if the screaming masses just wanted to have her there right then, right now irrespective of William and Harry's needs. Oh, and then the masses want them to just cry their hearts out rather than just try to cope before going out in front of millions of people while going to the funeral of their loving mother.

I'm so sick of the people of Britain taking a devoted, decent, honorable Queen for granted and treating the less well behaved and decent royals as gold idols.

[Augustus]

nuharoo said:

I'm so sick of the people of Britain taking a devoted, decent, honorable Queen for granted and treating the less well behaved and decent royals as gold idols.

I'd say it's more because she's presented as an institution and symbol, instead of a human being. I mean, of course everyone knows she's a mere mortal et al, but the way she's seen by most is a very cold, businesslike image rather than persona. It doesn't mean she isn't respected or loved, it's just different. It took the death of Diana (and the public's response) for her to realise that the public perception of her is important. She may be the queen, but without the support of the people she wouldn't be there.

Queen Beatrix has the same image, even though it was crafted by her own design. It's only when she showed her softer side that people really started to warm up to her, although it's her daughter-in-law Maxima that's still most liked of the royal family.

And well, Liz is 80, she's reigned for so long most would take her for granted. Besides seeing her on money and other official paperwork, she's not exactly present in daily life so you just kinda forget.

[laconicchick]

I just realized that that means Charles will be on our money when Elizabeth dies. That's so weird. I really do see her as more of an institution, whereas Charles is that dude who married the horsey-faced woman (uh... to me).

I like the Queen. I never pay much attention to the royal family, but I'm glad they're there and I think Canada should retain our connection to them.

[kafka]

I'll take a different stance from all of you:

I respect her in her capacity as a monarch, for her unwavering dedication to fulfilling her duty, and for being so conscientious.

But I don't like her as a person or respect/admire her as a mother. Yes, I realise that some of her issues are a result of the job, while others are due to that vicious, ghastly harridan, the Queen Mother, but I don't think her character is all that admirable.

I think she'll be England's last successful, respected monarch. It's a shame that Anne can't succeed her because I think Anne is cast in the same mold, and would be the best monarch out of Elizabeth's children.

[Deleted]

This woman has staying power in an era that is always changing. When anyone, anywhere in the world says The Queen, people automatically think of her. Talk about a high profile.

[Mouse]

kafka said:

I'll take a different stance from all of you:

I respect her in her capacity as a monarch, for her unwavering dedication to fulfilling her duty, and for being so conscientious.

But I don't like her as a person or respect/admire her as a mother. Yes, I realise that some of her issues are a result of the job, while others are due to that vicious, ghastly harridan, the Queen Mother, but I don't think her character is all that admirable.

That's my opinion, too. And honestly, I don't think that her duties as a monarch are any excuse for her failings as a parent. Her own parents were very warm and supporting of their children, even during WWII. Honestly, she just doesn't seem to have much of a personality.