Retired in Euskadi

I always find it interesting to compare the Queen's speech with that of the Spanish king.
Hers was short, barely 6 minutes, and talked of family values, the simple things that children can teach us and of course the baby in Bethlehem.
His was long, almost 12½ minutes, devoid of anything meaningful and really could have been written for almost any European Republic.
I just hope Felipe listens and learns.

Chipmonk

I thought Felipe's speech was modern and extremely diplomatic. Even the main parties applauded it. It didnt rely on emotion and sentiment but firm allegiance to the constitution with an indirect criticism of his father, sister and brother-in-law. The Queen's speech for me just seemed like an extension of Netflix's The Crown.

CamemBert

I thought similar. Except that he wasn’t actually advocating the guillotine, so I’m not sure why it would be for a republic. But as a rule I find his speeches pretty bland.

bobd22

Netflix copy the Queen not the Queen copying Netflix. Given her age and length of rein she isn't going to change how she reins and personally I don't see why she needs to.

bob_bob

She's doing something right, she's still very very popular in international polls as are all the working Royals, with William and Kate shooting up in popularity. Her speech we concise and well delivered as usual. Given the year she's had with loosing Phillip and the appalling behaviour of Meghan and Harry Windsor its a wonder she's still with us.

BEVS

Quite. I rate her.

We both thought she had lost far too much weight though.

bob_bob

She's had medical issues recently so any weight loss may well be due to a change in diet/eating habits; we know she's had to cut down on alcohol so thats a chunk of calories she's lost per day and the quacks will have ordered a reduction in fats so there goes the afternoon cream cakes etc

At her age she could go to bed and just not wake up but I sincerely hope she sees it through the celebrations next year.

Harry and Meghan did so much harm these last months but in a way positive things have come from that, Charles and Camilla have stepped up to the plate and William and Kate are shinning through, all of them have raised their public profiles and the public are far more aware of the the work they do...never thought we'd see the Queen having video/zoom calls, its great stuff.

SteveDW

Could someone tell me why so many English hate Harry and his wife? I haven't lived in the UK for more than 20 years and don't understand why Harry has gone from being a war hero in Afghanistan to a hate figure. Thanks.

CamemBert

Is that a serious question? It has a lot to do with his self-obsessed public emoting and his attacks on his family. Oh, and the fake do-gooding while he seeks lucrative contracts wherever he can. There really isn’t much to like. I suspect the dislike of Harry also extends to the Scots, the Welsh and the Northern Irish. I won’t comment on the “war hero”.

SteveDW

It was a serious question. I left the UK more than 20 years ago and the last time I read anything in the English press about Harry he was being lauded for fighting against the Taliban in Afghanistan. I was wondering why he had suddenly (or not so suddenly as it seems) he had become such a hate figure. As for seeking lucrative contracts, I'm sure Charles and Andrew have done plenty of that but don't get the same criticism. But I could be wrong!

IminSpain

Andrew? Yep he’s popular TICK TOCK

bobd22

My view on this is his choice of wife who seems to have had an agenda against the Royal Family. Seems to me that she thought that marrying into Royalty meant she should be treated like the Queen. She clearly didn't take into account that Harry would never be King. Strikes me she then went about destroying his relationship with his brother and Royal family and his country. Very sad given his history. Struck me as a bit of a lost man after he left the Army no real role. He did well with Invicta Games etc and other charitable work but that all seemed to change after he married his wife.

CamemBert

I left the UK 17 years ago, but still read the UK press. I just can’t quite see how this forum would provide the first inkling that something might be up with Harry. There has been plenty of criticism of Andrew. Did you miss the interview with Emily Maitlis where he made such an idiot of himself?

SteveDW

I do read the English press, but I only scan it for the politics, the royal family never had much interest for me. Obviously I've seen some of the hate comments, I just never understood why they appeared or could be bothered to find out, until now. When there's a paedophile (or good friend of one) in the family I wonder why most of the criticism goes on Harry. I'll leave it there, I think I've got the message.

DLC

Seems to be problem with the British press more than anything else...

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