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The British Royalty Thread [On Her Majesty's Public Service: In Memoriam Queen Elizabeth II]
Dragonpol
https://thebondologistblog.blogspot.com
As HM Queen Elizabeth II passed away at her residence in Balmoral, Scotland this afternoon I have created this thread so that our members can remember the UK's remarkable Queen of 70 years. As we know, James Bond was created by Ian Fleming in February 1952 when the Queen had just come to the throne after the death of her father, King George VI. It is remarkable to think that the same Queen has reigned through all of the Fleming Bond novels, all of the Continuation novels and all of the 25 Bond films of the hugely successful Eon series.
The Queen even had a role during the 2012 London Olympics assisting then Bond Daniel Craig on a mission. The Queen and the Royal Family have attended many of the Bond film premieres and much money has been raised for worthwhile charities like the Prince's Trust from such Royal premieres. Seven Bond actors from Connery to Craig over the span of 60 years have loyally served On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Anthony Burgess put it well when he wrote in his Coronet 1987 introduction to the James Bond Novels:
"As for James Bond, he will be with us indefinitely - near-immortal, less than Shakespearean but a model neo-Elizabethan, a hero we need."
I think "near-immortal" is how many of us regarded the Queen as well. There was a reassuring constancy that the Queen provided during the period of monumental political, social and economic change the UK and the world has seen over the last 70 years. Sadly the second Elizabethan Age has now come to an end, as all good things must.
So this is the thread about the event I'm sure we all wished would never come to pass: the sad death of our Head of State here in the UK, our grand stateswoman and the matriarch of the nation. Please share your tributes, condolences and memories of the Queen here.
To conclude, my thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and especially with the new King Charles III as he accedes to the throne. The Queen is dead. Long Live the King.
[24 March 2024 Update - I've remodelled the thread title as "The British Royalty Thread" so that all matters relating to the Royals can be discussed here. The original thread title is now in brackets as a mark of respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II]
The Queen even had a role during the 2012 London Olympics assisting then Bond Daniel Craig on a mission. The Queen and the Royal Family have attended many of the Bond film premieres and much money has been raised for worthwhile charities like the Prince's Trust from such Royal premieres. Seven Bond actors from Connery to Craig over the span of 60 years have loyally served On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
Anthony Burgess put it well when he wrote in his Coronet 1987 introduction to the James Bond Novels:
"As for James Bond, he will be with us indefinitely - near-immortal, less than Shakespearean but a model neo-Elizabethan, a hero we need."
I think "near-immortal" is how many of us regarded the Queen as well. There was a reassuring constancy that the Queen provided during the period of monumental political, social and economic change the UK and the world has seen over the last 70 years. Sadly the second Elizabethan Age has now come to an end, as all good things must.
So this is the thread about the event I'm sure we all wished would never come to pass: the sad death of our Head of State here in the UK, our grand stateswoman and the matriarch of the nation. Please share your tributes, condolences and memories of the Queen here.
To conclude, my thoughts and prayers are with the Royal Family and especially with the new King Charles III as he accedes to the throne. The Queen is dead. Long Live the King.
[24 March 2024 Update - I've remodelled the thread title as "The British Royalty Thread" so that all matters relating to the Royals can be discussed here. The original thread title is now in brackets as a mark of respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II]
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"THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2022
Statement of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden on the Death of Queen Elizabeth II
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was more than a monarch. She defined an era.
In a world of constant change, she was a steadying presence and a source of comfort and pride for generations of Britons, including many who have never known their country without her. An enduring admiration for Queen Elizabeth II united people across the Commonwealth. The seven decades of her history-making reign bore witness to an age of unprecedented human advancement and the forward march of human dignity.
She was the first British monarch to whom people all around the world could feel a personal and immediate connection-whether they heard her on the radio as a young princess speaking to the children of the United Kingdom, or gathered around their televisions for her coronation, or watched her final Christmas speech or her Platinum Jubilee on their phones. And she, in turn, dedicated her whole life to their service.
Supported by her beloved Prince Philip for 73 years, Queen Elizabeth II led always with grace, an unwavering commitment to duty, and the incomparable power of her example. She endured the dangers and deprivations of a world war alongside the British people and rallied them during the devastation of a global pandemic to look to better days ahead. Through her dedication to her patronages and charities, she supported causes that uplifted people and expanded opportunity. By showing friendship and respect to newly independent nations around the world, she elevated the cause of liberty and fostered enduring bonds that helped strengthen the Commonwealth, which she loved so deeply, into a community to promote peace and shared values.
Queen Elizabeth II was a stateswoman of unmatched dignity and constancy who deepened the bedrock Alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States. She helped make our relationship special.
We first met the Queen in 1982, traveling to the UK as part of a Senate delegation. And we were honored that she extended her hospitality to us in June 2021 during our first overseas trip as President and First Lady, where she charmed us with her wit, moved us with her kindness, and generously shared with us her wisdom. All told, she met 14 American presidents. She helped Americans commemorate both the anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and the bicentennial of our independence. And she stood in solidarity with the United States during our darkest days after 9/11, when she poignantly reminded us that "Grief is the price we pay for love."
In the years ahead, we look forward to continuing a close friendship with The King and The Queen Consort. Today, the thoughts and prayers of people all across the United States are with the people of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth in their grief. We send our deepest condolences to the Royal Family, who are not only mourning their Queen, but their dear mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her legacy will loom large in the pages of British history, and in the story of our world."
I couldn't say it better myself. Today is a very sad day for me and I've been speaking to all my British and Commonwealth friends. She's been Queen all my life and I never thought it would happen this quickly when I read the news that the Royal Family had come up to Balmoral. Flags have been ordered to half staff by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Another wild statistic: 90% of people living in the UK have never known anyone else leading the country. As a young man of 27, neither have I. America is with the UK at this time. It'll definitely be different moving forward.
My condolences to you all.
My first memories of The Queen was when my Aunt and Uncle returned from England in 1977 and brought with them a commemorative toy of the royal coach for the Queen's 25 jubilee. I was 8 at the time and loved playing with it. The set had the Queen, Prince Philip in the carriage with corgies chasing behind. My Aunt and Uncle also mentioned TSWLM and the advertising for the movie being everywhere. I believe this was a summer trip.
I have not climbed out of bed to watch the Royal weddings, but always enjoyed watching the balcony scenes and how the Queen always seemed to be beaming and happy. I can only imagine the challenges of being Queen and she wore the crown with grace, and dignity.
Love Live the Queen!
Nice pic from George
Yes, the death of the long-reigning Queen will certainly usher in a lot of changes most of us haven't seen before in our lifetimes. Reading a few articles online it's clear that the changeover of currency and stamps from the Queen's head to that of King Charles III's will be a gradual process. The Queen's head on coins and notes will remain legal tender for a few years until they are fully replaced with the head of the new King. The same will go for the stamps. There will be a period of time where currency featuring the Queen and the new King will both be in circulation.
Where are you in the world? Coins were only introduced in 1966?
It's such a shame that many people have crawled out from beneath their stones to mock her, even as she lay dying.
Personally, I'm not sure I'll hold King Charles III in such reverence. He's got a lot of hard work ahead of him to equal the reputation his mother has left behind. It will be a monumental, if not impossible task.
Perhaps, with that in mind, he might seek to take the monarchy off in a different direction?
I dined with the King of Belgium once (along with other teachers). I was impressed to say the least. But I'm not obsessing over the man. I honestly can't understand people who are obsessed with royals at all. They don't have a lot of real power left, and their farts smell as bad as ours. They are not superhuman. In times of crises, they can unite a people. They can also stay uncomfortably silent.
That said, I'm impressed with the Queen lasting as long as she did; I have never not known the British Empire to be ruled by 'Her Majesty'. Let's see what King Charles does.
Well said.
I think we are going to see massive changes in the monarchy, absent the uniting force that was Queen Elizabeth. Does the public want to be ruled by Charles III? I guess we'll see...
To say that the UK will be "ruled" by Charles III, or has been "ruled" by Elizabeth II, is preposterous anyway. Being king or queen of England etc. is, much like in other European monarchies, a mainly ceremonial post. No matter what one thinks of its present composition and the election system in general, Parliament is the real power hub in the UK, with the power of getting rid of Prime Ministers.
The real achievement of Elizabeth II was to transcend her figurehead role and become a much-loved person and embodiment of Britishness all over the world, without even so much as discussing politics.
@Thunderfinger if you have nothing nice to contribute here, then don’t post. If you thought it was funny, it wasn’t .
And I'm very sad, she became a mother of her nation, she treated her countrymen as her children.
I know this song was made for Princess Diana, but now, I would make this a tribute for the Queen too.
Candle in the Wind
Goodbye England's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed itself
Where lives were torn apart
You called out to our country
And you whispered to those in pain
Now you belong to heaven
And the stars spell out your name
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candles burned out long before
Your legend ever will
Loveliness we've lost
These empty days without your smile
This torch we'll always carry
For our nation's golden child
Even though we try
The truth brings us to tears
All our words cannot express
The joy you've brought us through the years
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candles burned out long before
Your legend ever will
Goodbye England's rose
May you ever grow in our hearts
You were the grace that placed yourself
Where lives were torn apart
Goodbye England's rose
From the country lost
Without your soul who missed the wings of your compassion
More than you will ever know
And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never fading with the sunset
When the rain set in
And your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candles burned out long before
Your legend ever will
Your footsteps will always fall here
Along England's greenest hills
Your candle burned out long before your legend ever will
James Bond would have likely to kill them, for Queen and Country ;)
Respect the Queen, or else Bond will aim precisely at their groin, so speak nice or they will forever hold their piece.
The first Bond film was mentioned in the video.
The Queen at the Royal Premiere of You Only Live Twice.
--
The Queen at the Royal Premiere of Casino Royale.
---
The Queen at the Royal Premiere of Die Another Day.
I'm wondering if she had watched those films?
Did she also attended the premiere for OHMSS? (Quite fitting especially the title).
Not sure about OHMSS, when looking at some of the premiere's the Queen attended I did wonder whether Her Majesty had watched DAD.
I am sure I read previously that YOLT was the first Royal Premiere The Queen attended, I maybe wrong.
https://www.mi6-hq.com/sections/articles/movies-queen-elizabeth-ii-ties-to-james-bond?id=05113