The Royal Family

[orpheum2]

I have arranged to go to Frankfurt on saturday 2nd June and will be back on wednesday 6th June when this nonsense is all over.Unfortuntely i am working during the Olympics otherwise i would have done a quick exit then.Both periods will be hell on earth for Londoners trying to get anywhere.

[golightly]

Looking forward to it, we always put on a World class show for these events and this is probably the biggest since the Coronation. I have heard that Blair might be making an appearance which would put a slight dampener on it for me.

[Mark O]

I have arranged to go to Frankfurt on saturday 2nd June and will be back on wednesday 6th June when this nonsense is all over.Unfortuntely i am working during the Olympics otherwise i would have done a quick exit then.Both periods will be hell on earth for Londoners trying to get anywhere.

TFL advise Cycling during the Olympics to avoid delays and crowding, though I don't see either event affecting places like Hampton Wick.

[Edward G]

I'll certainly be looking forward to the coverage Mark O - especially the concert featuring the one and only Dame Shirley Bassey. It could be the highlight of a fabulous career. The huge crowds and massive celebration will easily overshadow the grumblings on here and within the 25 people who will turn up with placards saying all the money should be spent on Battersea Dogs Home!

I don't suppose anyone has anything positive to say about the Jubilee?...........thought not, even though the vast majority are getting extra paid bank holidays (for the record I'm not, bank holidays are 'all in'), not turning them down are you, though I recall when Charles and Di were married and the day was made a public holiday Ken Livingstone and his team made a point of actually going in to work (at the GLC) that day lol, though they didn't actually do anything constructive, just had a round the table 'discussion' and there was photo in the papers in the next day.

Anyone want to come out of the closet and join me in actually looking forward to enjoying the spirit of goodwill and all the forthcoming displays and concert?..........after all they're put on for 'us' at the end of the day, the Royals aren't doing the River Thames trip, Concert, Fireworks, etc; for themselves, it's all for our enjoyment.

Thanks to the Olympics and the Diamond Jubilee London will be enjoying a huge tourist dividend in terms of demand for accommodation, shopping, spending on catering/restaurant/pubs etc and other spin off revenues. I'm sure many people who live a long way from London would love to be so near the action and that includes for other events like music concerts and football finals. You cannot just take all the benefits of living in or aound London and not have some inconvenience just because you have no interest in these two understandably massive events!

I have arranged to go to Frankfurt on saturday 2nd June and will be back on wednesday 6th June when this nonsense is all over.Unfortuntely i am working during the Olympics otherwise i would have done a quick exit then.Both periods will be hell on earth for Londoners trying to get anywhere.

[Tonch]

I don't suppose anyone has anything positive to say about the Jubilee?...........thought not, even though the vast majority are getting extra paid bank holidays (for the record I'm not, bank holidays are 'all in'), not turning them down are you, though I recall when Charles and Di were married and the day was made a public holiday Ken Livingstone and his team made a point of actually going in to work (at the GLC) that day lol, though they didn't actually do anything constructive, just had a round the table 'discussion' and there was photo in the papers in the next day.


Anyone want to come out of the closet and join me in actually looking forward to enjoying the spirit of goodwill and all the forthcoming displays and concert?..........after all they're put on for 'us' at the end of the day, the Royals aren't doing the River Thames trip, Concert, Fireworks, etc; for themselves, it's all for our enjoyment.

Sorry Mark, I must correct you. They aren't doing this for "us" - they're doing it for "some of us" (i.e. you royalists & co). I, along with a significant minority, would be happy to do without all of this, and incidentally resent any predictable subsequent labelling as being spoilsports, miseries or killjoys. That's as offensive as me branding royalists gushing, sycophantic prats, waving plastic flags at people who are unlikely to see or acknowledge them, have done nothing personally for them, and who are meanwhile reaping the luxury benefits at the country's expense. If this trip down the Thames, musical celebration and the firework display (all of which they're getting for free) is such a huge chore to the royals and they're enduring it all for our benefit - don't go. Millions of us won't object - and besides nobody can force them.

There is no legal entitlement to the day off by the way, good on employers who expect their staff to turn up for work I say - after all, who's actually paying for this junket in these difficult economic times? businesses shouldn't have to (unless, arguably, they directly profit from the event, manufacturing T Shirts and tea towels and the like).

Having said all of that, to those who enjoy such pomp then by all means go ahead and enjoy it - but count me firmly OUT, and in so doing, please have the good grace to resist the urge to brand me a misery just because my view doesn't fall in with the majority.

[CaptainWaggett]

Surely the Royals aren't putting on these events at all? Most of the work is being done by much-maligned public sector workers, mostly council officers . The clean-up operation in central London will be a magnificent operation and events staff deserve all the credit they won't get

[Mr Sloane]

Surely the Royals aren't putting on these events at all? Most of the work is being done by much-maligned public sector workers, mostly council officers . The clean-up operation in central London will be a magnificent operation and events staff deserve all the credit they won't get

What I want to know is where is the present day Herbert Wilcox with an new 60 Glorious Years? And who would you cast as the Windsors ?

[orpheum2]

what about Meryl Streep as Liz and Will Smith as Phil or to the other extreme Tom Cruise on stilts.

[Mr Sloane]

How about

Imelda Staunton as The Queen
Harry Enfield ( Stravros) - as Phil
Catherine Tate ( Nan) as Queen Mum
Dame Joanie as Margaret

[Ray]

I don't suppose anyone has anything positive to say about the Jubilee?...........thought not, even though the vast majority are getting extra paid bank holidays (for the record I'm not, bank holidays are 'all in'), not turning them down are you, though I recall when Charles and Di were married and the day was made a public holiday Ken Livingstone and his team made a point of actually going in to work (at the GLC) that day lol, though they didn't actually do anything constructive, just had a round the table 'discussion' and there was photo in the papers in the next day.


Anyone want to come out of the closet and join me in actually looking forward to enjoying the spirit of goodwill and all the forthcoming displays and concert?..........after all they're put on for 'us' at the end of the day, the Royals aren't doing the River Thames trip, Concert, Fireworks, etc; for themselves, it's all for our enjoyment.

I am with you Mark, I won't be in London, but really looking forward to all the TV celebrations, don't let the killjoys get you down.

They are a minority, as we see everytime there is a Royal Celebration, and the crowds turn out in their thousands.

[alan french]

Hi,
ShirlGirl,
Tempted as I am to say I have not heard of the word, I cannot. I would be lying about my age. I cannot speak for Australia, but there is in this country some concern about what is being taught. This thread, for instance, is an interesting and important subject. But how can people make up their minds if they are not taught about it at school? Or anywhere else?

Alan French.

[orpheum2]

yes but the missing millions dont go to the bunfight or watch it on tv,so the majority are disinterested.

[Edward G]

"Missing millions"?
24 million people in the UK alone watched last year's Royal Wedding on TV!
Thene there were the huge crowds in London.

yes but the missing millions dont go to the bunfight or watch it on tv,so the majority are disinterested.

[faginsgirl]

Not sure what you mean Mark . The Royals aren`t doing anything for US (as usual). What they are trying to do is keep themselves popular by having other people arrange events in their name.

Tonch is right, THEY are the ones reaping the benefits. So what if people get an extra days holiday out of it? I`m sure the older generation have paid for it out of they taxes anyway throughout the years.

People should wake up, the Royal family are just spongers, it`s like they are on the dole, living off tax payers money, but with more luxury.

p.s I`m not saying that others on the dole are spongers, far from it.

[Windthrop]

I won't be celebrating it myself though there is a party in the cul-du-sac where I live. No doubt I will be tagged as a republican, which I am not.

While I don't want an elected head of state I find it hard to get worked up about them. I think the civil list should be downgraded radically from what it is and the double act at the top can get some support for civic duties and thats it. They can keep Buck Palace - which the rest of the family can work to maintain as a team of odd jobbers. The rest of the properties can be put opened up for tourists and the family can take it in turns to act a guides.

[faginsgirl]

They can keep Buck Palace - which the rest of the family can work to maintain as a team of odd jobbers. The rest of the properties can be put opened up for tourists and the family can take it in turns to act a guides.

Actually, that`s what people who have inherted country estates do now, they have to if they want to keep their home. Not sure why the Royal family should be any different.

Her Maj could open her properties up as a chain of B&B`s too

[Edward G]

Security concerns for one.

Actually, that`s what people who have inherted country estates do now, they have to if they want to keep their home. Not sure why the Royal family should be any different.

Her Maj could open her properties up as a chain of B&B`s too

[faginsgirl]

Security concerns for one.

Then get rid of the Monarchy, easier, and cheaper

[Mark O]

Not sure what you mean Mark . The Royals aren`t doing anything for US (as usual). What they are trying to do is keep themselves popular by having other people arrange events in their name.

Tonch is right, THEY are the ones reaping the benefits. So what if people get an extra days holiday out of it? I`m sure the older generation have paid for it out of they taxes anyway throughout the years.

People should wake up, the Royal family are just spongers, it`s like they are on the dole, living off tax payers money, but with more luxury.

p.s I`m not saying that others on the dole are spongers, far from it.

The thing is Michelle (and I'm aware not everyone likes it) we are basically 'subjects' of a Crowned Sovereign and to celebrate sixty years of our present Queen's they (organised by their flunkeys, admitedly) put on these displays of Pageantry for us to spectate at in return, free of charge, and that's not me saying that, the late Norman St.John Stevas said so, I shall enjoy the Concert what with Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, etc; who wouldn't?

Anyhow, as with the Royal wedding last year you're more than welcome to share my tin of Jubilee biscuits with me Michelle,

On a separate note I know you have a great interest in World War I and I've recently learned that London's Imperial War Museum is closing for six months from next January to install more artifacts for the centenary in 2014, a good excuse to come down South Michelle!

[faginsgirl]

The thing is Michelle (and I'm aware not everyone likes it) we are basically 'subjects' of a Crowned Sovereign and to celebrate sixty years of our present Queen's they (organised by their flunkeys, admitedly) put on these displays of Pageantry for us to spectate at in return, free of charge, and that's not me saying that, the late Norman St.John Stevas said so, I shall enjoy the Concert what with Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, etc; who wouldn't?

Anyhow, as with the Royal wedding last year you're more than welcome to share my tin of Jubilee biscuits with me Michelle,

On a separate note I know you have a great interest in World War I and I've recently learned that London's Imperial War Museum is closing for six months from next January to install more artifacts for the centenary in 2014, a good excuse to come down South Michelle!

Admitedly Mark, the concert would be great. I would love to see Macca play live. However, it will again be the privilaged, i.e The Royal family, who will get front row seats after a hard day cutting ribbons.

Thanks, I didn`t know that about the Imperial War museum, it should be good. I will in 2014, hopefully, be helping out The National trust to set up a memorial display up here in the North too

xx