. . . Elizabeth, my dear.
l wouldn't want to spoil the party as obviously many of us enjoy the pageantry of the Royal occasion and it is a birthday after all. Although figures are set to change it seems that 'a reasonable crowd of some 20, 000 came to cheer the Queen and some '17,000 emails and 20,000 cards' were sent. Not to mention how many other countries, associations and individuals are duty bound to honour and promote this spectacle.
ln footballing terms that's pretty crap. An average side in the championship/premiership commands that (and is vastly more entertaining) and the original march against the war in lraq drew a sympathetic crowd of 1-2 million. As institutions go monarchies nowhere near get the attention, affection or passion of, say, football or even politics. The assumed collective 'we' - the people may have an affection for our monarchs and their charmed lives. A fact that will be beamed around the world and appear endlessly on TV and in the press. One young girl from West Yorkshire spoke affectionately of meeting the Queen (before and after as it seems), England football fans sing the national anthem (although am not sure whether it's all the way through - yet), etc, etc. (and quite possibly we wonder what it's like to lead such a pampered life).
Her majesty even drew a crowd out in Wakefield where she distributed maundy money to the deserving. At the time it caused something of an outcry in the local press when a set or two was sold off for some £70 (someone obviously preferring the real thing) and Mick Griffiths of the Socialist Party getting arrested for attempting to shake a collecting box in front of the Queen.
Our figureheads are not what they seem. The loyal and faithful cling on and attend to the duty of serving and promoting privilege whilst all around we, the people, see our jobs cut, wages curtailed and many a barrier put in the way of getting on with our lives - often by the same people.
But then, as Queen, Elizabeth Windsor must have a particularly awkward life. Sure the holidays, homes and retainers, etc is likely fantastic, but the endless formality, dutiful appearance and fawning attention must take its toll. Although given now that the Royal family are discussed in terms of tourist revenue as much as anything else it could be considered nice work if you can get it.
l associate myself with a tradition that had its Royal family executed and mashed up their bones. Although that was a long time ago and may have been grudge motivated. Our Royals don't serve the same function as the Romanovs did and merely rubber stamp the nations approval.
What is objectional is that normal people - the doers and makers - are treat so shabbily and this empty institution is upheld and paraded before us as something holier than thou and worthy of maintaining.
See/hear also -
BBC radio 5 live coverage
Most local press
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