I have never really considered myself a royalist, but I feel a real sadness and sense of loss at the passing of Queen Elizabeth today. She always seemed a dedicated monarch with integrity, decency and grace. And despite her wealth and obviously elitist position, seemed to genuinely care about the people and situations she had to deal with in her long reign.
I was four years old when I watched her being crowned Queen, in 1952, live on a television set my father had constructed in the back garden outhouse of our home at 28, Conistone Crescent on Eastmoor Estate in Wakefield. Several of our neighbours were invited in to our front room to witness the Coronation broadcast as very few people owned television sets on our street. The flickering, fuzzy black and white images that appeared on the small cathode ray tube of Dad’s home made TV set were, to my four year old self, sometimes fascinating, sometimes boring, but I sensed the importance of the event. I can still hear the voice of Richard Dimbleby who was the BBC’s commentator for the broadcast. It all seemed so important and momentous. She seemed a quite young and not unattractive woman with a certain innocence and naivety but also with a strong resolve, (though I say that on reflection as I wouldn't have known how to put it in words at that time.)
Like most of us, my life has been accompanied by her long reign as Queen, (though I was born when her father was on the throne.) I've sometimes poked fun or poured scorn on the antics of the Royal Family, but always had respect for Queen Elizabeth. There always was something gently commanding, yet humble about her.
In more recent years I once, accidentally, saw the Queen in person when her car drove past me whilst I was walking in York. She apparently had attended an event at York Minster and a number of people had gathered to wave at her when she departed. I'd wondered why these people were standing on the pavement by the Minster, then saw why when the Queen’s car drove by. As she waved to the crowd, for a brief moment, her eyes met mine. It was a strange, almost eerie moment.
Now history changes and we are witness to it. We have a King, a man who, like myself, is 73, almost 74 years old. We were both born in 1948, only a couple of years after WW 2. My mother always liked to reminded me that Charles and I were born in the same year. So, I wish him well.
But it's truly the end of an era.
Rest in peace...
In the June 17, 2022 _The Week_ magazine, it is reported that John Lydon was "really really proud" of her for "doing so well" as she celebrated 70 years as queen. !
sean mac5h
Replying toMark M (Giese)
Bear. Skin. Hats.
She wore those?
At least, per PETA, she banished fur from her wardrobe. Despite Morrissey's excoriations of her when she was alive, he'd have to grant her that.
I thought her first 5 albums were good, but she went a bit commercial after that.
Perhaps the Royals could demonstrate their caring for the people by paying Inheritance tax like the rest of us. I'm sure the funds would come in handy in such straightened times.🤤 After they've finished doling out redundancy notices to their loyal staff of course.
Anyone know if Morrissey has said anything about the late monarch?
Just joined and am blown away at my rapid growth of age 44 and just being introduced to a mighty heavyweight like Bill Nelson. Holy Moses, I am shocked as an American I was not exposed to the the musical genius of this man before. Northern Dream might be the best out of the gate album of all time.
I have some of his thoughts on politics. I must say Mr. Nelson does not factor Globalist interests in his thoughts, in that regard. Politics are simply jubilant theatre so the Banks can keep corrupting society. Elsewise, a fantastic visionary and true artistic inspiration. I truly put Bill with the Jerry Garcia, Frank Zappa, Trey Anastasio realm of true musical genius. Truly thankful to have made his musical acquaintance. God speed Bull Nelson
Also (IMHO), I think Bill meant this thread as a moment of quiet reflection, for a time that has passed for us all, emphatically underscored by the passing of the Queen, a definitive marker in time, and the transition we all now make into an ever-changing world and uncertain future..
Just a quick comment on the negative remarks, rather like a book of remembrance, one would sign the book, perhaps punctuated with a thoughtful sentiment, or not write any words at all..certainly not write anything insulting or vitriolic. In other words showing some respect and dignity. This thread was never about whether anyone is pro or anti monarchist and the arguments thereof, so I would have expected people to exercise a little restraint and shown some good manners and just not posted anything at all if they felt so bitter and negative. Of course, it's a free world, but really??..If that's the way you feel, wouldn't it have been better to, say for example, start a thread in The World Outside The Window, something along the lines of 'Do you believe in the Monarchy?', where people could voice an opinion either way?
Bill Nelson is a kind, warm-hearted, and generous individual, who is also very tolerant, and both he and Jon and the team trust us to get on with it and act accordingly, showing mutual respect and consideration. Of course, it goes off the rails now and then, but never anything major really, and that's just life...But for those ('members' I've never heard of before) who have had a direct pop at Bill in this thread, on his own forum, well, that says much more about them, than it does about Bill...It really does go beyond the pale.
I believe that Bill is not a monarchist, but as ever, in his excellent writing style, with consideration, he has set the tone with a respect and dignity that Queen Elizabeth deserves,
Sir David Attenborough speaks on his friendship with the Queen
Among the Queen’s favourite songs: ‘The White Cliffs Of Dover’ (Vera Lynn), ‘Cheek To Cheek’ (Fred Astaire) and ‘Leaning On A Lamppost’ (George Formby) https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/christian-hymns-in-queen-s-top-10-favourite-songs
These predictable yet tiresome, angry comments from those who consider themselves renegade anti-royalists are, I suspect, the result of conspiracy theories, personal bitterness or vitriol , for whatever reason. But the Monarchy are nothing more than occult symbols of our communal history, (both bad and good,) but that’s all they are, and as such should be seen as employees of the nation, vessels of our national psyche, a reflection of ourselves, our supposed national identity. The colour, pomp and ceremonial, gilded veneer of monarchy is both superficial yet symbolically profound. There is a mystery here worth pondering for those with an interest in the archetypical structure of our consciousness and identity.
As I said, I’m not a royalist, but neither am I stupid enough to not see how important, and comforting the mysteries of our nation are to people’s hearts. Don’t belittle the gentle sentiments of those whose souls are basically good. To think we’re in ‘servitude’ is an illusion. The monarchy is in sevitude to us, the people of the UK.
it's the obsoleteness of the whole farce and the willingness of people to be serfs.
all those fawning over the royal family do so because of their being brainwashed by the vacuous media who encourage the drive to keep people in their place and know their place.
Whereas those who think for themselves and actually seek knowledge tend to know different
Strip away everything and she was the pinnacle of a despicable establishment .
Every so often we are reminded Scotland is a very different country from England .. where the influence of the evil right wing media is so much less
A chance for reflection of the past 70 years that had her always in the background smiling and waving from some balcony or other, the head of the establishment that has no democratic power but actually owns about about an eighth of the worlds resources and land over what once was the british empire but is now the commonwealth.
I can't understand those who had a picture of her as someone 'good' for the country, someone who is 'other' than a politician and therefore absolved of the sins of her prime ministers, army, airforce, navy and military intelligence services, after all they were always on display every year on her two birthdays for all of us to see.
The british have had the royal family rammed down our throats since the day we were born, royal this and royal that, 'god save our gracious queen' at daily school assembly, their history taught to us as children as if it was something to be proud of, social history ? no! none of that, at least in my own education.
I'm of the rock n roll generation, born in 1957, grew up listening not only to the music but also to the message and I have never wavered in my attitude to the establishment and just because a little old lady has died I won't change.
She was born into privilege at the disadvantage of others, didn't work, didn't even have to dress herself, looked down on her subjects and never ever spoke up about what was being done in the name of her country, let alone her own family.
I'm of the belief that when a human being dies, that persons brain searches the memory for the defining moment of their life to take with them into infinity, that moment when your life flashes before your eyes. You can take something wonderful or something bad depending on your life experiences, if you have done wrong and not been forgiven you'll take that with you, if you've been wronged and haven't forgiven you'll take that with you, This is the definition of heaven and hell for as your last thought expires with you it will seem to last forever, I wonder what the queen took with her when she went as she had an awful lot of wrongs to ponder and one can't forgive oneself.
Im not aRoyalist but ive only known her Maj all my life so God Bless Her
ARare an wondrous woman the like we will never see again and im not a royalalist but full of admiration of a woman who never had a real freedom but gave her whole self to the country and to the people but probably despaired behind the scenes ..God Bless HRH
Very well stated Bill.
This is a lovely clip, filmed just a few months ago for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, showing, as someone said, her warmth, humour and great sense of fun and ends with the perfect 'thanks', from Paddington Bear.
That really is very nicely put Bill. I was born in 1952 and have lived all of my life, up until today, with Queen Elizabeth being the Monarch.
I also don't consider myself a Royalist but I did feel a twinge of genuine sadness upon hearing of her death yesterday.
I hope that Charles is up to the task ahead as King.