The Diamond Jubilee - 2012

[Lucien]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18342301

HM visited The Duke last night.

[Emperor of the Dominions]

With all due respect to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and forum members, perhaps news of HRH's health concerns would be better placed under his thread?

R.I.

[CHRISinUSA]

Was anyone else - as I was - struck by the prominence of the Waleses and the lack of prominence of the Yorks, Wessexes, Princes Royal's family during the major Jubilee functions (who sat on the Gloriana, who appeared on the balcony, etc.?). 

To me, it seemed to be designed to send two messages:  Firstly, that the Queen was showing that the Prince of Wales was prepared, ready and able to take over upon her demise, and secondly, that the royal family of the future is intended to be narrower.

Or maybe I am reading too much into such things?

[Kalafrana]

Hello Chris

Yes, I think you have a good point. There is no sign at the moment of the Duke of York's daughters taking up any royal duties. There have been suggestions in the press that the Duke wants them to, but on past form it would be a risky business. Princess Anne's children have no royal titles or roles and the young Wessexes are at the moment very young - both still under 10, I think.

But it's always possible that they planned it that way. Princess Anne takes her role with Trinity House quite seriously, so it was entirely proper that she and her husband took part in the pageant on board their vessel. Similarly, the Duke of Kent is President of the RNLI, so very proper that he should appear aboard a vessel of theirs.

Ann

[Inok Nikolai]

...that the royal family of the future is intended to be narrower.

Or maybe I am reading too much into such things?

Seems that others had the same thought:

A stripped-down Royal Family remodels itself for an age of austerity
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9312668/Diamond-Jubilee-A-stripped-down-Royal-Family-remodels-itself-for-an-age-of-austerity.html
http://tinyurl.com/7rxf5ox

[mcdnab]

As the article states i think there were several reasons for the "slimmed down" balcony appearance.
The appearance was limited in part to send a message about the enduring continuity of the monarchy and the fact that the Royal Family is well aware that packing the balcony with all the Queen's children, grandchildren, cousins and their children etc might have been subject to criticism given the state of the economy and the financial struggles of many of Her Majesty's subjects both in the UK and abroad.
In fact it is noticeable that at all recent state occassions in Britain a firm order of precedence has been maintained.
A jubilee in particular is rather different to a Royal Wedding where you would normally see a balcony full of people (the groom, bride, parents of both, the bridesmaids and page boys along with the Queen etc)
The York girls are still relatively young and at their ages William and Harry's public duties and appearances were relatively limited.
However, Princess Beatrice accompanied her grandparents to the Royal Maundy Service in York at Easter and Princess Eugenie has also accompanied her father on several public engagements (particularly those in the North of England given she is at University in Newcastle)

[Lucien]

With all due respect to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and forum members, perhaps news of HRH's health concerns would be better placed under his thread?

R.I.

Correct EotD!

[Inok Nikolai]

An interesting article (inspired by the Diamond Jubilee celebrations) on Russian-British relations:

Nations united by ties of love, tragedy and friendship
http://rbth.ru/articles/2012/06/01/nations_united_by_ties_of_love_tragedy_and_friendship_15786.html

[Eddie_uk]

I thought it was such a shame to see so few members of the Royal Family on the balcony. I'm sure all the Queen's children support her in various ways and they should have been with her on the balcony, particularly Princess Anne.

[Lucien]

I thought it was such a shame to see so few members of the Royal Family on the balcony. I'm sure all the Queen's children support her in various ways and they should have been with her on the balcony, particularly Princess Anne.

I'm sure all the Queen's children love and support her in private just as well.
It was good to emphasize on those in direct line to the Throne only.Clearly
HM thought so too,slim down to those who are really of significance for the near
future.Well done Ma'am.

[darius]

I thought it a bit sad to relegate the living grandchildren of George V and George VI especially as they have been a huge support to HM for the past 60 years. 

[HerrKaiser]

I thought it a bit sad to relegate the living grandchildren of George V and George VI especially as they have been a huge support to HM for the past 60 years. 

I think this is a correct sentiment. In reality, who was the celebration for? The masses? The monarch? Everyone loves a party, but this would not have occured lest it be QEII's longevity, so regardless of the marketing strategy for the royal family moving forward, this event should rightly have been inclusive of all those of her near relatives who, along with their ancestors, built and maintained the institution that gave her the position and role to which she was blessed.

[Grace]

I agree with Eddie, Darius and HerrKaiser on this...I was saddened not to see particularly the older members of the family who we don't see and hear much of these days in the media anyway...Princess Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and the Gloucesters, not to mention the Princess Royal, Andrew, Edward and Sophie.  Just those I think the people would have appreciated seeing on the balcony with Her Majesty...those who have been the real support of the Queen in her duties over the past 60 years.

[Lucien]

Ofcourse one is entitled to a view,but I don't do false out of tune of time sentiments.What people might think of seeing the lot on the balcony
is why there are so many freeloaders in this time of (largely media hyped - up-) crisis.It all boils down to that point.Just those who
are of direct importance in line to the Throne to emphasize the Palace,HM,is of the 21st century in regard to the times.Perfect!

Meanwhile TRH the Earl and Countess of Wessex have arrived in Gibraltar in light of the Diamond Jubilee celebration on the Rock.
A bit to the dismay of Spain...but we've heard that story before,say like 300 years or so....And in dire need of getting attention
to all other fields except their own messing up big time...yeah,right...Manana...!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-18390660

[Eddie_uk]

I agree with Eddie, Darius and HerrKaiser on this...I was saddened not to see particularly the older members of the family who we don't see and hear much of these days in the media anyway...Princess Alexandra, the Duke and Duchess of Kent and the Gloucesters, not to mention the Princess Royal, Andrew, Edward and Sophie.  Just those I think the people would have appreciated seeing on the balcony with Her Majesty...those who have been the real support of the Queen in her duties over the past 60 years.

My thoughts entirely Grace!