RIP HM The Queen - Elizabeth II 1926-2022

Shameful how Andrew’s selfish actions have overshadowed the whole tribute to his father - today is the 20th anniversary of the queens mother’s death how horrible for her to see the newspaper headlines today - many believe she was strong armed into it by Andrew it’s shocking and a complete PR disaster for the royal family
 
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Tomorrow I will plant this Ornamental Peach Tree on my meadow in the Black Forest, weather permitting.
In honour of Queen Elizabeth II.

"ornamental peach" - isn't such a tree worthy of Queen Elizabeth! :smile:

Prunus Persica Melred - Ornamental Peach Tree



https://www.newlands.ie/prunus-persica-melred-ornamental-peach-tree-8712044455808/122974/

And now my peach tree "Melred" has wonderful flowers!


In honour of Queen Elizabeth II :smile:
 
As horrible of a human as I think that Andrew is, I can't get behind the outrage that he rode with his mother to the service. It had to be an incredibly difficult day for her. If having Andrew by her side made it easier on her, so be it. I can put aside by disdain for him for one day to know the Queen got through it with support she needed.
 
As horrible of a human as I think that Andrew is, I can't get behind the outrage that he rode with his mother to the service. It had to be an incredibly difficult day for her. If having Andrew by her side made it easier on her, so be it. I can put aside by disdain for him for one day to know the Queen got through it with support she needed.

I'm with you on this. It was a family event, he was entitled to attend. It even makes sense for him to escort her because he was coming from same place and because he's unattached. It also meant that nobody had to make conversation with him while waiting for service to start or people to leave. He also avoided walking up the longer aisle. Honestly, I don't see how he overshadowed it at all. It seemed fairly low-key to me.
 
I'm with you on this. It was a family event, he was entitled to attend. It even makes sense for him to escort her because he was coming from same place and because he's unattached. It also meant that nobody had to make conversation with him while waiting for service to start or people to leave. He also avoided walking up the longer aisle. Honestly, I don't see how he overshadowed it at all. It seemed fairly low-key to me.
I agree
 
I noted on another thread the same sentiment as others here - if Andrew helped the Queen with walking and getting to and from her seat, fine by me. It also meant he was in and out quickly and took her home, so he didn’t go to any of the several receptions going on.

but then I read elsewhere that he didn’t go along with the plan. Turns out, he was to have driven with the Queen and walked her to the central aisle where she was to have been handed off to (I think) one of the clergy who was waiting for her. Then that man was to have walked her to her seat. But when the time came for the handoff, Andrew refused to let go of her arm, so the clergyman led the two of them down the aisle, rather than him walking with the Queen while Andrew walked behind them. He is such a jacka** - wouldn’t put that past him for a second.

Apparently Charles and William are livid, as are other family members. Andrew is just incapable of understanding how wrong his behavior which landed him in this spot was. I would wish for him to be excluded from the public Jubilee festivities, but I think that would hurt the Queen and I would hate to see that.! Ugh…
 
The Queen is a tough strategic old bird and I don’t think that has changed even as her body fails her.

I think she has always favoured Andrew and it pains her that she has had to force him to step back. I also think this was her choice and a calculated way to keep him in the Royal circle.

If it wasn’t, I’m certain she would have made absolutely sure that he did not accompany her.
 
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As horrible of a human as I think that Andrew is, I can't get behind the outrage that he rode with his mother to the service. It had to be an incredibly difficult day for her. If having Andrew by her side made it easier on her, so be it. I can put aside by disdain for him for one day to know the Queen got through it with support she needed.

I’m afraid while I appreciate her family loyalty I think she has seriously damaged the monarchy with this one act after 70 years of putting the monarchy above all else - sadly she has and will continue to give Harry the same undeserved treatment - against all advice -it’s so unlike her - her loyal dutiful daughter could have ridden with her and escorted her mother down the aisle then taken her place next to her husband -there was no reason for Andrew to be there at the front in pride of place other than he forced his way in I’m afraid the public won’t forget this - there is little appetite for Charles to be king and this has sadly only increased the anti monarchy feeling amongst the majority of the public
 
I’m afraid while I appreciate her family loyalty I think she has seriously damaged the monarchy with this one act after 70 years of putting the monarchy above all else - sadly she has and will continue to give Harry the same undeserved treatment - against all advice -it’s so unlike her - her loyal dutiful daughter could have ridden with her and escorted her mother down the aisle then taken her place next to her husband -there was no reason for Andrew to be there at the front in pride of place other than he forced his way in I’m afraid the public won’t forget this - there is little appetite for Charles to be king and this has sadly only increased the anti monarchy feeling amongst the majority of the public
After 70 years of loyal service, the woman deserves to handle her husband's death as she wishes. If the public won't afford her that, the 70 years of loyal service have been for nothing as her subjects are not loyal back to her.
 
My 4/13/22 post disappeared and I thought maybe because it wasn't gossip haha..but then I learned about the IT problems.

So trying again...interesting article and full text via link in headline, along with more pics. The special edition is beautiful!

Queen Elizabeth's Favorite Handbag Brand Launches New Retro Style in Honor of Queen's Jubilee

Monique Jessen
Mon, April 11, 2022, 8:45 AM

Queen Elizabeth is rarely seen without her iconic handbag. Now, the brand behind her go-to styles has dug through its archives to launch a new take on a vintage style in honor of its most famous customer.

Inspired by the monarch's historic 70 years on the throne, Launer's Jubilee Bag is based on a style that they launched in 1972 — one that the Queen herself used to wear.

"It's a beautifully finished product — we stick to what we are good at, which is making structured bags," CEO of the brand, Gerald Bodmer, tells PEOPLE from his factory in Walsall, near Birmingham.

The limited-edition bag, which costs $3,385 and is available in five colors (with names including Monarch Purple (see above) and the Queen's favorite, Ebony Black), features a special leather plaque with "Platinum Edition Jubilee" written in embossed gold foil on the inside, while the outside features the brand's distinctive gold-plated twisted rope emblem.

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natasha dado Launer's Platinum Jubilee Limited Edition Bag - Launched April 2022

The making of the bag was possible after a member of the public contacted the handbag designer after discovering the original design (identified by a number rather than a name) in his grandmother's attic. With the pattern for this particular bag long lost, Bodmer thought it was the perfect time to reinvent the classic retro style.

"I always liked that bag, so I used it as inspiration. I don't know why the Queen stopped carrying it, maybe it wore out?" Bodmer says.

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natasha dado The original bag from 1972

The Queen was last seen wearing the original version of the bag in 1995 when she attended a thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey. Made in black patent, the pared-back style was worn with a bright pink jacket, floral dress and matching pink floral hat.

"She always looks so smart and elegant, and I think our bags go together with that," says Bodmer, who welcomed the Queen to his factory in 1992 and also counts Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall as a customer.

While the Traviata, handmade in fine calf leather with a soft goat suede lining, was once her go-to style, the Queen has more recently opted for the smaller but sturdier Turandot, which Bodmer makes specifically for her, with some minor adjustments.

"She wants less weight in her bags now, so I try and make the bag light enough for her to carry. There are all sorts of extras, so I just try to make it as light as I can without spoiling it," says the 89-year-old businessman, who took over the brand in 1981.

The handles on the Queen's bag are also made longer for ease of movement, something that's even more essential now she's about to turn 96 and using a walking cane more due to mobility issues.

"She's often carrying a stick and that takes some effort to carry a bag as well, but just like my wife, the Queen told me she doesn't feel comfortable without a handbag!" Bodmer says.

Indeed, the Queen has worn six different styles from the luxury brand over the last five decades and her bag is much a part of her look as her signature pearls or brightly colored jackets.