Queen to lead nation through slump
With a full-blown slump but months away, the Queen is setting the trend for the nation, as she has in past times of trouble.
Her natural frugality certainly chimes with the times we’re living through. Early on in the credit crunch, the Queen was ahead of the curve when she cancelled her Diamond Wedding party at the Ritz last March.
Mary Riddell writes in the Telegraph that the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, hopes the Queen will bring back the feelgood factor to the nation by demonstrating how to be cheerful in a depression. Stoicism through thick and thin has always been HM’s strong point. The PM has clearly noticed.
Gerald Warner, writing in his blog, makes an interesting point: “Gordon Brown wants the Queen and the royal family to lead the nation in hair-shirt frugality, to give an example to the rest of us in these poverty-stricken times. Which is strange, considering it is only three days since Gordon threw good money after bad by doubling the National Debt to £1 trillion [$1.5tr].”
The Prime Minister is, says Warner, hiding behind the Queen’s skirt.
Constitutional expert Peter Hennessey reinforces the point, “The Queen does not need Number 10 to make her into an effective focus for the country. She is such a remarkable figure, she naturally fulfils that function. The Queen has this great gift for adapting without going for fads or fashions. She does not need telling what is required to do. She just does it.”
However, Mary Riddell reports, “At Number 10, where the House of Windsor’s tactics are being followed with interest, Mr Brown is said to speak ‘in affectionate terms’ of his meetings with the Queen.”
The Queen has apparently ordered all senior members of the Royal Family only to be present at low-key occasions and to avoid glossy or glamorous events.
Prince William and Prince Harry have been asked to cleave to the military, while avoiding nightclubs and big, brassy charitable parties.
Royal women will be expected to recycle their outfits, something Princess Anne has been doing for decades. All in all, the Royals will set the style and tone for the hard times to come, with the Queen, as always, way out in front.
God love her and save her, but she can tone down the jewels while she’s at it. That crown on her head could probably solve the credit crisis!! Pawn a few of those baubles in the tower, problem solved!! LOL
{I’m joking, don’t take offense.}
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
By Positive on November 27th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
And a Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
Yes, that is an unfortunate choice of picture to go with the text.
I’ll change it for one of her shopping.
By John on November 27th, 2008 at 2:17 pm
You changed it to a picture of my ABSOLUTELY DOWNFALL!! BREAD AND BROWNIES!!! AGGHHHH!!! LOL
By Positive on November 27th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
We do it to torture you.
By John on November 27th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Mission accomplished!!
By Positive on November 27th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Oh my, that picture is making me hungry. You know, I’d prefer to read about what *Gordon Brown* is planning to do to lead the way in “hair-shirt” frugality rather than fussing about the Queen who, as John noted, already knows what’s what. (The ruling government in Canada has already proposed cutting party subsidies.) But not on this site of course — royal news only :D.
Happy Thanksgiving to the Americans! I plan to celebrate it by having some squash soup tomorrow. My mother threatened to Fed Ex me some of her dinner if I didn’t abandon the typical uni student diet for something more wholesome. (She lives in the US.)
By Imani on November 27th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Roasted turkey, fried turkey, sausage stuffing, cornbread stuffing, fresh cranberry, wildrice, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese (not the hideous boxed stuff), freshly baked dinner rolls, I tire of punching down the dough, all kinds of crazy casseroles, giblet gravy, peach cobbler, pecan pies, sweet potatoe pies, pumpkin pie, apple pie, lane cake (with rum), ice cream, freshly whipped cream, and that’s just my mother’s dinner.
Then on to friends for more dinner and dessert — including her famous strawberry shortcake later tonight. And we’re all leaving for a Caribbean cruise next Friday. Looks like I’ll be packing an extra 15lbs. LOL
By Positive on November 27th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I think I want to visit the USA!
By Cristina on November 27th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
I do believe the Queen has it exactly right. Asking the royal family to set an example for the rest of the nation seems to be extremely level-headed.
I finally got to see one episode of Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work — it was on PBS on Wed. evening here in California. I was struck by how down-to-earth the members of the royal family really are — they seem to be very humble and likeable folks. I was impressed. I was also struck by the fact that I would never want to live that life — not for all the castles and jewels in the world!
By Miss Marple on November 28th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
As always, the Queen leads with grace
Did you miss me? We went to enjoy the holiday with my parents…and eating ourselved silly.
I was brave though and weighed myself this morning. I only gained 2.5 pounds this week! Whew!
By Julie on November 29th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
My dear Julie, we did, indeed miss you! We are glad that you are back from your holiday. I have chosen not to weigh myself since I fear my indulgence at table exceeded all boundaries of gluttony as yet recorded in the history of gastronomic imprudence.
I am scampering up and down a high ladder, decking our Christmas tree with ornaments and hoping my exertions will somewhat reduce my girth. Since it takes between 3-4 days for me to deck our house with all my Christmas decorations, let us all hope that these prolonged efforts prove successful.
By Gigi on November 30th, 2008 at 12:47 am
All that food … and December hasn’t even started yet!
By John on November 30th, 2008 at 11:39 am
In the US, the “Food Fest” begins with Thanksgiving. Advent begins today!
On topic… other than Sandringham for Christmas, are there any other Royal Christmas traditions that we can look forward to?
By Evelyn on November 30th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Hi everyone!!! hope you had a great Thanksgiving I’m glad it’s over one holiday down two more to go!!! Now to get on the topic as HM canceled her Diamond Wedding party last year because she saw the looming economic crises why were there 3 lavish parties for Charles? one which he didn’t attend. I know the first was given by HM and it was scaled down with those invited for drinks only and those invited for dinner but why did Cammy and Fawcett have to plan a very lavish one at Highgrove? And the third given by Lady Anson a cousin of HM not being a Fawcett production was boycotted. I think Charles should start listening to his mother for a change don’t you?
By Trudie on November 30th, 2008 at 9:47 pm
Several sources (Times, Daily Mail, Sun) are reporting that Princess Eugenie was in Mumbai 4 days before the terror attacks. Times & DM say that the Princess was staying in the Taj Mahal Hotel room where commandos killed the last terrorist.
By Evelyn on December 1st, 2008 at 4:50 am
Prince William will be spending New Year’s Eve in Sydney (with Paris Hilton)!! So reports Australian rag No Idea…Oh!,…er… I mean New Idea.
Apologies, I am a bit agitated by this lack of news.
By Cristina on December 1st, 2008 at 6:19 am
Evelyn, that certainly was a close call for Eugenie.
Almost anyone who’s anyone stays at the Taj when in Bombay. I was there some years ago. Not sure I’d want to go back now though.
By John on December 1st, 2008 at 11:09 am
Trudie, you’re not a member of the Michael Fawcett Appreciation Society, are you?
By John on December 1st, 2008 at 11:10 am
Of course I am John LOL . Seriously though that man is always so over the top in lavishness that he really needs to be taught the art of elegance on a tighter budget especially when it come to the RF who people look to for inspiration. If HM can live in palaces that have not been redone for 52 years and is always looking for ways to cut back Charles and Fawcett should take lessons from her.
By Trudie on December 1st, 2008 at 3:08 pm
I think we can agree on that, Trudie.
By John on December 1st, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Trudie, I agree about Michael Fawcett and Charles. The Queen and Prince Philip have, for years, been aghast and disapproving of the lavish spending habits of Charles. No one, it seems, is capable of reining him in. Profligate spending becomes him ill, but he does not like to be told anything by anyone.
John, I agree that Princess Eugenie had a very close call. I am very grateful that she left when she did and that she is safe and unharmed. The situation in India just now is very dangerous and I hope that we are all remembering to pray for the families of the people who died so tragically as well as those who were injured. International Terrorism is a scourge that strikes like a thief in the night and we are all vulnerable. Let us all be mindful that these terrorists, despite their nefarious claims, are not Muslims. Islam is one of the world’s great religions and the Koran does not support such brutal behavior. These thugs are hiding behind the Muslim faith and the term ‘jihad’ to make their hideous endeavors seem more palatable and less heinous to the world. These cowards are beneath my contempt.
By Gigi on December 1st, 2008 at 3:29 pm
Gigi I so agree with you regarding these thugs murdering innocent people and hiding behind a religion contrary to it’s teachings. Jihad my foot the world never interfered with the Islam religion and to call this a holy war is totally ridiculous this is just an excuse for serial murderers to maime and kill for the thrill of it. Two of the deceased Hasidic Jews who were murdered have ties to the Hasidic community in the New York area and their poor two year old son Moshe is now an orphan. Princess Eugenie was very lucky that she left when she did from what I hear even her protection officer would have been helpless to protect her. There is no where in this world that is safe today and all we can do is pray and have faith that people will be viligant and report suspicious activity to authorities so these attacks might be prevented.
I know this is Princess Eugenies gap year but under the circumstances I think it would be wiser if her family ordered her to come home just to be safe.
By Trudie on December 1st, 2008 at 4:27 pm
You’re right. If these people knew a British Princess was travelling light across Asia with just a single protection officer, plus, presumably, another as backup, they would track her down.
We know the terrorists were watching the media, including CNN, to pinpoint exactly where Western people were in Bombay.
Eugenie’s police escort should insist she comes home.
By John on December 1st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I’m inclined to agree…I sure would not want to be the protection officer at a time like this if my charge were wandering the world!
By Julie on December 1st, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Julie, it’s a very dangerous time now and Asia is full of conflicts. You’re right, it would be sensible for Eugenie to return home.
By John on December 2nd, 2008 at 11:23 am
John Eugenies police escort could insist she come home however, I think the order should come from her parents or HM. It was already leaked that she is continuing to travel Asia given the imformation that there is only one ppo they would be able to find her. Given the fact that Harry is already marked and has had death threats for fighting in Afghanistan His cousin would be the next best thing for these thugs. For her safety she should be ordered home.
By Trudie on December 2nd, 2008 at 11:30 am
At least Harry has his regiment around him, Eugenie is very exposed. She went on to Goa, where a lot of British women have been assaulted and some murdered. All the backpacker locations are now patrolled by nasty predatory types.
By John on December 2nd, 2008 at 11:37 am
And sadly, if Eugenie were to come home now, the press would be full of criticism of her for doing nothing. These ‘outer’ royals are in a difficult position - we don’t want them to sit around and do nothing, we don’t want to pay them for cutting ribbons and attending charity balls, we don’t want them to work in the private sector and (inevitably) benefit from their name and title. The only viable option I can think of is paid employment in a charity or the military.
But back to your original article, John. For some reason, when I read it, all I could think of was how this information was given to the members of the royal family? I could see a memo going around the Palace with an oversized crown at the top of the page. And then I pictured a family dinner with the Queen informing her family members of the edict with liveried footmen standing behind each chair.
I’m not sure why, but this really tickled my funny bone!
By Abby on December 2nd, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Abby, the Queen and the Duke are in regular contact with the family by email, especially the younger ones who do the usual Facebook type stuff.
Maybe there was a liveried footman behind the Queen’s computer chair.
By John on December 2nd, 2008 at 2:17 pm
Thanks for the visual…I laughed
By Julie on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
I just saw an article that U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice gave a piano recital for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace last night. I thought that was pretty cool! I had heard she played but I did not know how brave she was
By Julie on December 2nd, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Julie, I’ve just put up a piece on that event, with a link to a short video of the occasion.
By John on December 2nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm