Americans React to Queen Elizabeth II | Her 70-Year Reign in Numbers

[@lizg5574]

30 years ago I lived near Windsor. It was quite normal for me to walk my dog in Windsor Great Park. One day I took him in a slightly different direction and, as we walked, I was aware of a vehicle approaching from behind. We were close to the roadway so I called him to me and had him sit. The Landrover drew level and the window came down. The driver thanked me for keeping my dog under control, then gave him a good looking over, declaring him to be a "truly handsome fellow". It was as the second vehicle came behind that I realised it was Her Majesty, driving back from the stables where she'd been, to ride her horse. The Queen admired MY dog! It is a day I won't forget.

[@TheCornishCockney]

You didn’t RECOGNISE her?! 🤔

[@lizg5574]

@@TheCornishCockney I did, but it was a shock to see her alone.

[@DrTinyToff]

❤

[@suesmith460]

I live in Old Windsor and we frequently encounter members of the royal household as well as the family/ my grandsons attend the Royal School in the Great Park and we regularly attend events in the Castle and the Chapel - it’s special😃

[@eh1702]

Prince Charles once looked at MY shoes. Of course, since he said nothing, I could only guess what thoughts were in his mind. I put them in my glass display cabinet along with the picture of my great-grandmother and two wally dugs.

[@rolandstinson4887]

As a former British soldier it is my view the Queen was the best boss i ever had

[@chsh1]

Second that

[@TheCornishCockney]

She’s still the Queen to me,although Charlie is making good noises.

[@chsh1]

@@TheCornishCockney yeah im in the minority round my way when i say i quite like him. I like his work on the environment in particular. He just perhaps doesn't have the charisma but that doesn't make a bad figure head. Now Prince Philip was hilarious!

[@BillyBoy1235]

@user-cp9dc7yu8t I guess you never served your country in any of the armed services. If you had you would realised you are as wrong as it is possible for you to be🇦🇺

[@angeladormer6659]

Well said. Thank you for your service, we owe you so much.

[@ChavJag]

She done her red boxes nearly every day and apparently when she passed they looked in her red box everything was done. She left no unfinished paperwork. She was working pretty much up untill the day before she passed.

[@harbl99]

A lot of people talk about duty, HMQE2 lived it.

[@christiner302]

For the last few years, Charles worked with her on the red boxes. It was her way of preparing him for the monarchy.

[@dawn5227]

​@christiner302 unfortunately she didn't get that same level of preparation that she gave Charles. I believe Charles will already be preparing William in certain aspects of his awaiting role as the next monach.

[@Amy-tb3rd]

@@dawn5227 i think the queen was doing this whil alive too not just getting charles ready but making sure william was too

[@angelabushby1891]

William used to have lunch or tea with the Queen a lot,so I guess she would have told him what his duties would be.she had a good sense of humor,liked playing games and mimicking people at Christmas with the family,she apparently was good at mimicking Trump I think it was.

[@richardjohnson2026]

My nan turned 100 back in 2020 during Covid. The family contacted the Palace to say she was 100 and the queen sent her a lovley message and signed it. She loved it ❤

[@mrmr5580]

Proud to have had her as our monarch

[@Langstrath]

What does the king or queen do? 1.The monarch summons Parliament and opens and closes every parliamentary session. 2. He/she also formally appoints the Prime Minister and all government ministers and receives their resignations and could, in theory, dismiss them (but in practice it would be inadvisable unless clearly justifiable to the public). 3. The monarch reads government papers every day and meets the Prime Minister weekly. The monarch can question, encourage, offer advice or caution the Prime Minister but cannot make political decisions. 4. The monarch grants royal assent to every law approved by Parliament. 5. He/she also authorises the calling of each election (normally on the advice of the Prime Minister, but could do so without in extremis (e.g. a parliamentary deadlock). 6. The monarch has the power of 'last resort' in any constitutional crisis (and thus denies ultimate power to any politician). 7. The monarch as head of state travels to other nations to promote UK diplomatic ties, trade and tourism and receives and entertains visiting heads of state. 8. The monarch oversees the maintenance of royal palaces owned by the crown as well as their private properties. 9. The monarch and other royals are generally colonels of military regiments and many have actively served in the armed forces. 10. The monarch and other royals are patrons of hundreds of charities and attend many charity events to help raise their profile, champion their causes and garner donations. 11. The monarch awards honours to British people who are deemed worthy for their accomplishments, long service, gallantry, bravery or efforts on behalf of charities and hosts garden parties for about 30000 people annually. 12. He/she provides an apolitical focus to unite the nation in celebrations, ceremonies, memorials, crises, the annual Remembrance Day service and a Christmas Day message.

[@angeladormer6659]

@Langstrath They are such a draw that they generated about 350 billion pounds for the economy. Don't like living in a monarchy, emigrate.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thanks for taking the time to break it down :)

[@kathleenhyde771]

Excellent breakdown Langstrath

[@roberthancox]

Brilliant

[@artemisfowl66]

Beautifully explained.

[@daveofyorkshire301]

The Queen was very underrated, she knew when to keep quiet and use soft influence over overt power. Power she didn't have despite perception. She knew how to guide rather than force, she knew how to voice opinion without condemning other opinions, and she knew she was a figure head not a power in the UK and across the commonwealth. She had respect, and from respect a moral authority. People listened, not because they had too, but because she was worth listening too.

[@paulncott4587]

In other words, she did nothing for the masses while the govts ripped us off, ruined the country , and lined their friends and their own pockets. Great job queeny. Clown shoes.

[@habari5251]

I love having a monarchy, especially when considering the alternative. You only have to look at certain other Heads of States there have been in recent years around the globe to see how lucky we are. Not wanting to get political but as an aside, when Boris and Trump were both in I was so pleased Boris wasn’t our Head of State. We had someone with dignity to represent us, whose poise, sense of duty and love for her people was tangible. I thought Charles would be a minor disaster but I like him and he seems more popular than most people thought.

[@ianm42yt]

When asked about her love for horses and dogs, she replied "they don't know that I am the Queen". As for expressing her feelings without saying a word, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine she had blue and yellow flowers in the background when she had a much publicised meeting with the Canadian Prime Minister.

[@Frankie_24]

I very fortunately was able to briefly meet The Queen back when I was a Sgt in the Air Cadets, naturally as a 16 year old I was very nervous but once being introduced it honestly felt like I was talking to my own grandmother. We only chatted for about 30-45 seconds, I assumed she wouldn’t say much just a fleeting hello and goodbye but she genuinely seemed engaged and interested. Her Majesty will always be sadly missed

[@craigsmith508]

If you want to know what she was like or why she was loved, I’d watch maybe one of her later Christmas speeches or her Covid speech. She was a source of strength in difficult times and a focal point. She was loved.

[@bradmacoz]

I met the queen and Prince Phillip at Balmoral about 20 years back at a function, I was lucky enough to spend about five minutes with her after Prince Phillip moved to talk to somebody else, we had a fantastic conversation which I won't go into as you do not discuss a conversation with the queen with anybody else, it's just something that's not done, but I will say she has one of the most wicked sense of humour I have ever come across, and extremely funny lady. As an Australian I am very proud to have had her as our head of state, even after our independence and still very happy to have Charles as our king now, it was an experience that I'll never forget and get a big smile on my face every time I think of about it. as I type, I can feel my eyes tear up thinking about her being gone. RIP Elizabeth R.

[@johndecarteret]

I think that has always been the biggest issue with the British public, they had no idea what the Queen actually did. The amount of times I heard someone say "All she does is sit in her Palace doing nothing" is insane. The Queen was my hero. She worked extremely hard and never looked for approval or praise for her incredible sacrifices and life changing hard work during her long reign. I think that's why some people didn't care about her. She was very private and did her work in private out of the public eye. She died on my anniversary and her funeral was on my Birthday. Life won't be the same without her. A true hero and never flaunted it.

[@RevPeterTrabaris]

I loved her too.

[@lisab9734]

Same . This is what I mainly hear from people. They have no idea. She did do much. So do many of the royals

[@goldencherry9033]

I agree. The same with a lot of the active members of the royal family - they not only bring in a lot of tourists and money to the country, but they serve the country through the duties they perform, patronages of charities etc. Yes, they live in wealth and privilege, but I think I’d rather live with the choices and opportunities that I have than being forced into doing things I don’t necessarily want to do, and do them forever, no retirement, laws and protocols deciding how I dress or who I marry or where and when I can go somewhere. Especially for The Queen, who had no expectation that this would be a part of her life, let alone for 70 years!

[@fatsam2564]

100%. just her service to the military alone is commendable let alone every thing else she done

[@roberthancox]

Unfortunately many people are just very poorly informed (ignorant) .

[@gaynorhead2325]

My grandmother, my self, my daughter and both her daughters have Elizabeth as a middle name. She was one of a kind. God Save the King!

[@ChrisReadUK]

She was like a “trusted grandmother”…. Total respect!

[@rosaliegolding5549]

Have you seen the PADDINGTON GIG 🤣HILARIOUS 🤣🤣👌🤷‍♀️

[@RevPeterTrabaris]

Absolutely one of my favorite things to watch. So much fun.

[@skemite]

For 70 years we wondered what she carried in her handbag. We were finally told! 😂

[@ladykaycey]

It's sweet, always makes me cry.

[@IslandGirl-s3x]

It was the best 😂 I loved her involvement in our Olympic opening ceremony with Bond. Epic

[@Wyz369]

For all her tireless hard work & constant presence, apparently she was a very grandmotherly person in her family. Her great grandson George called her "Gary" & other grandchildren called her "GanGan".

[@petergordon4525]

You really should have a look at her involvement in the 2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

[@ladykaycey]

And tea with Paddington!

[@lindakirk698]

O most def watch it!!

[@sallyannwheeler6327]

I have a framed certificate that was my mums with the queens signature to show her appreciation of her loyal devoted service as a member of the Women’s Land Army from 27th August 1942 to 13th October 1945,alongside a black and white photo of my mum in her uniform. I treasure them greatly.😊

[@alisonscurr4395]

The King was a prince the whole time his mother was the Queen. He served in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy. He set up the Princes Trust soon to be renamed the King's Trust. It has helped millions of young people have a start in life to becoming health workers, sports coaches, youth workers, fashion designers, builders and business owners etc. He has toured the commonwealth counties like on behalf of Queen, patron of lots of charities raising their profiles to name just a few things as he served the Queen. He was a King in the making and had a great teacher, his mother.

[@lornaclayton2697]

@@alisonscurr4395 He was a prince from the moment he was born as his grandfather was king.

[@RosieLee777]

Set up the Duchy Original foods, highgrove as well.

[@jasonsmart2265]

I remember she did a speech, I think it was in Cape Town, saying no matter how long or short her life was she would dedicate to her people and country. And she did. RIP Queen Elizabeth you did a great job.

[@lisab9734]

What fascinates me is that most British people won’t have watched this! Most people I talk to think The royals don’t do anything. They are actually super busy, we just don’t all see what they do.

[@janrogers8352]

Simply because the media don't cover a lot of what happens. It doesn't suit their agenda, unless it's something they can knock, but bad mouthing public engagements at charitable functions wouldn't go down well, so they ignore it.

[@glastonbury4304]

Usually it's the uneducated that make negative comments about what the Royal family do...

[@suesmith460]

I suggest you look at documentaries looking at her work during the war and international relations - particularly Nelson Mandela - and see that she was the MOST famous woman of the modern world.

[@Jill-mh2wn]

Just yesterday I saw a KZbin interview with one of her protection officers .He was part of her team for 14 years ,so got to know her pretty well. This really tickled me ,he spoke of how at Balmoral in Scotland the two of them would go for walks along the hiking paths ( the Balmoral estate is open to walkers) and once coming along were an American couple . The Queen always stopped for a bit of a chat and the Americans asked how long they had known the area .The queen let her officer do most of the talking and when the male hiker heard that the man had visited every year for a long time he was asked " Have you ever met the Queen and what is she like?" The officer knew it would sound a bit cheeky, but he said " Well, she can be a bit cantankerous" ( he saw her give him a sharp look), so he finished with " But she also has a marvellous sense of humour" Then to his surprise, the hiker put his arm round the officers shoulders ,gave his camera to the Queen and suggested she take their picture .Then he took the Queen next to the American pair . As they disappeared down the road ,the Queen said " I do hope when he shows those photos to his friends ,one of them will tell him who I am".

[@johnmcaleer7099]

I was born in 1963 she had always been my monarch, so when she died I was heartbroken. She was regarded as the nations mother/grandmother😢❤

[@glastonbury4304]

World leaders went to her for advice on leaders around the world ...she new everybody

[@terryloveuk]

Look into QE II before she became Queen, in WW II she joined the army as a driver and mechanic (despite her father, the King's best wishes). She met and fell in love with Prince Philip, then a serving Navy officer (he had a good war as they say) and married him. He supported her throughout her reign until he dies just before his 100th birthday, he was the rock she relied on and I say the inspired Princess Anne's dedication and firm stance. QE II was on a foreign visit when her father died young and had to fly back (she didn't have any black clothes when she landed and had to wait until some were delivered - hence all royals now have an emergency black outfit on trips).

[@Millennial_Manc]

The Queen Mother on the other hand refused requests to evacuate Buckingham Palace which put a lot of lives at risk unnecessarily as it was such a big target. At least she didn’t try to sell us out to Hitler like King Edward though.

[@jacquieclapperton9758]

I believe that she was the last Head of State to have been a WW2 veteran.

[@sueharrison8193]

Her Majesty joined the ATS not the Regular Army

[@terryloveuk]

@@sueharrison8193 Yeah - ATS, Auxiliary Territorial Service. It was disbanded in 1949, when the remainder of its troops transferred to the newly formed Women’s Royal Army Corps. I said army because it was easier for Americans to understand, it was in effect the women's branch of the army.

[@hellsbells8689]

You need to watch footage of Her Majesty the Queen's funeral. Obviously the streets were full of people but the two things that stand out to me are that Her daughter Anne, Princess Royal stayed with her Mother the whole time between the day before Her death up until the funeral. Flying from Scotland back to London with the royal coffin. She took part in the standing guard over her Mother as Her Majesty was Lying In State. The second thing I will never forget is as HM The Queen's funeral carriage went past Emma, the pony she would ride whenever She got the chance. Emma had the headscarf of The Queen on her saddle. As the carriage went past Emma raised her foot and stamped it back onto the ground. Almost like a salute.

[@25novemb]

292 at the age of 91.. That's why we almost thought she would always be with us.. Her mum lived to 101 so we thought we might have her a bit longer. Although we would never be prepared whenever it happened

[@daveloboda1769]

Yes, she was that loved in our country. Queen Elizabeth II was crowned in the year I was born and an ever present in my life. She will go down in history as our greatest ever monarch. She is sorely missed.

[@lindaclark7]

The pictogram showing 69 years 157 days is out of date if that was saying it was her length of rule. We celebrated her platinum jubilee. 70 years since accession, in June of the year that she died. She died three months later

[@lindaclark7]

I did then watch on and saw that you put a correction on your video as you had checked the reign length. I added this note yesterday but it is not displaying for some reason. As all teachers hammered home throughout the school years, always read the whole question before answering 😆

[@andrewobrien6671]

She had a great sense of humour. Once when walking near Balmoral with her protection officer they stopped to talk to 2 US tourists and they asked her if she had ever met the Queen, She said no but he has , referring to her protection guy. The tourists asked her to take their photo with him, which she did, then insisted they had their photo with her. When they left she said wait until they show that picture when they get back home.

[@jemmajames6719]

Yes she was having a picnic with her protection officer, when the Queen said he her protection officer had he replied something on the lines of she can be rather tricky! The police officer talking about it is on KZbin.

[@terryloveuk]

Charles had a similar encounter when he was hiking (in the rain) at Balmoral with group of cyclists planning to spend the night at a bothy (publicly available) on the grounds. The difference was they did recognise him, he stopped to have a chat with them... There's a KZbin video of the encounter kzbin.info/www/bejne/p5yoqKePnN2EqpI

[@vallee3140]

@@terryloveuk Have watched a few times he was so lovely to them, but he has always been a very warm person. I love him as our King.

[@claregale9011]

Hi Guys , I was lucky enough to be along the mall with many others as her funeral procession went by , it was a very sombre but a feeling of togetherness atmosphere . The changes she's witnessed but managed to move with the times and adapt that's why the monarchy have lasted so long . 😊

[@goldencherry9033]

I was outside Westminster Abbey and it was such a sad but special experience. So emotional but it was a sight to behold, and to be in a crowd of hundreds of thousands of people and barely hear a pin drop in one of the business cities on the planet was surreal!

[@josiebridle1947]

The Queen was very aware of world events, including the politics of other countries. After a one-to-one meeting with the Queen, Putin told his aides to never leave him alone in the same room as her.

[@vodkadave7504]

The queen interacting with David Attenborough is a good watch 👍

[@chrisbodum3621]

I believe they had one thing in common; neither of them had a driving license.

[@LilMonkeyFella87]

I have that video up. It's from a documentary "The Queen's Green Planet with David Attenborough - FULL DOCUMENTARY - 2016 HD"

[@markthomas2577]

The Queen had already been Queen for over a year before her Coronation. She became Queen immediately her father died but Coronations take a bit of time to organise and the last two have been held over until summer of the following year

[@philipc2025]

I am 69 and until her passing Queen Elizabeth was the only monarch I had ever known. I was gutted when she left us, and glued to all the coverage of her funeral. I went to her lying in state, it was something I just had to do. Even now when people refer to The Queen I think Elizabeth and not Camilla.

[@sallyannwheeler6327]

Camilla is an insult to the Queen and all of Britain!

[@philipc2025]

@user-cp9dc7yu8t Who said it was more than friends and family? Certainly not me. Respecting someone is in no way idolising them. The difference is respect is earned. When someone works as hard as The Queen did. Who keeps their word to their dying day like The Queen did. That person deserves the utmost respect, because The Queen did all that for the country. So to my dying day she will have my undying respect.

[@cjscitcat]

​@user-cp9dc7yu8tWhy would you assume that liking/ admiring someone means you place them higher than your family and friends? That was never stated. The Queen was a constant in the whole life of many of us so it was sad to know she had passed. Even my 24 yr old son after a 16 hr shift drove the 3 hrs to London with me and other family members. We queued (an hour behind David Beckham) for 13 hrs to file past her coffin. Time in that queue was one of the most amazing and positive experiences in the lives of us all. I'm afraid you had to be part of that to know what it was like. It was worth being awake for 32 hours ! This doesn't mean that my family and close friends are not my greatest loves ,and I would do the same for them.

[@philipc2025]

@user-cp9dc7yu8t Evidently respect is a new concept for you. Although I disagreed with most of what Tony Benn had to say, I had a great deal of respect for the man. Do you think I am on my knees for him?

[@lukee.h1471]

Lindsay is a ray of sunshine. Love her. ❤

[@reactingtomyroots]

❤

[@catherinepositano8544]

Yes,lovely girl. 🇬🇸

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

You can certainly read her face at Harry's wedding !

[@claregale9011]

😅 she knew the true character of MM the social climber and narcassist

[@TheNordicharps]

Here is the story of my life with the Queen. I was born on 15th January 1952. Elisabeth came to the throne on 6th February. When I was 3 (I think) she came to open a new refinery in Grangemouth. My father was the designer and chief engineer in charge of the power station, and I was dressed in my best royal blue blazer with brass buttons and sat up on the gatepost of our company house, which was on the street which led down to the refinery, to wave a little Union Jack as Her Majesty passed by in the back of a big black car. I saw a pale blur and was surprised that I didn't see a crown. There were several similar drive-bys over the years in Edinburgh where I went to school. Then I moved abroad and my awareness of the royal family was diluted, except for scandals and gossip. The time I was reminded, after many years, of her importance to me was seeing the film clip of a certain 45th president crossing her path and looming over her in total disrespect in order to feed his ego. I was incensed!! How dare he?! I rejoiced at a distance at her jubilees and was absolutely astounded and enchanted by her interraction with Paddington Bear, pulling a marmelade sandwich out of her ubiquitous handbag. She was human! And had a sense of humour! And then she died, and I realised that her presence, character and fortitude HAD meant something to me during the whole of my life, and I grieved sincerely and deeply. Love, Sally in Sweden xx

[@johnadams9314]

Oh wow! I lived in Grangemouth for my first 21 years, my dad had moved to Scotland from England for a job in that refinery! The Queen was always a rock of certainty, she would always behave appropriately, represent the country in an appropriate and dignified manner, while always having a wonderful sense of humour. The only time I ever saw her was when I had moved down to London and I was in town when her car drove passed, but I couldn’t tell anyone about it because I was supposed to be at home studying at the time.

[@eh1702]

“There were several similar drive-bys over the years in Edinburgh where I went to school. Then I moved abroad and my connection with the royal family was diluted”. How so? It was even more imaginary than my sister’s “connection” to David Cassidy via her Dansette record player. He signed an autograph for her once. She spelled it out for him.

[@TheNordicharps]

@@eh1702 I am not suggesting that we exchanged warm embraces, I'm pretty sure you realise I am talking in the abstract lol But it was badly worded, my English has also been diluted over 40 years away.

[@minik746]

My appreciation to you two for reaching out !

[@susanmaxwell6033]

What do they do? They say thank you to those who need the recognition without political over tones. They are a a focus when times are grim. They bring a light to things that need to be seen They remind us of our past, of where we are and where we need to go

[@jamesshave6186]

Thank you sooo much for showing the interest and respect for our amazing queen. We so miss her . She was wasn’t at all stuffy and had an amazing sense of humour.🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇸🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️🌹

[@josefschiltz2192]

I remember hearing what her sister Margaret said to Elizabeth when their uncle, who was Edward VIII, abdicated in favour of their father, who became George VI. She knew, in that moment, that her sister was next in line to the throne. She looked pityingly at Elizabeth and said, "You poor thing!"

[@anandvijayan2033]

You have to remember she actually became Queen in Feb '52 upon the death of her father King George VI. Her coronation was in June '53 .

[@albrussell7184]

The Commonwealth has expanded further to include 4 countries who had no previous connection with the British Empire.

[@paulj5080]

@user-cp9dc7yu8t Membership of the Commonwealth is entirely voluntary, hardly a protection racket.

[@sarahbob8401]

she did a lot of charity work especially for children also, she was beloved.

[@Joseph13163]

You should have a look at the queens visit to the republic of ireland in 2011,she made a powerful and profound impression on us she was a class act.

[@Kari_B61ex]

The monarch supports and promotes British businesses and charities in the UK and overseas. King Charles's approval rating is about 60%... to get a good insight into him I would suggest checking out the Prince's Trust, which he started with his pension from the navy. I'm a monarchist, I love the fact that we have a stable head of state who looks out for us all, regardless of political leanings.

[@johnkemp8904]

Another US reactor on KZbin to British affairs, an otherwise intelligent young fellow, once disappointed me when, upon noting in another video the extreme diligence with which she worked on her red boxes of official state papers, he simply commented ‘Why?’ He obviously had no concept of constitutional monarchy and thought of Her late Majesty as simply Chief Celebrity of the United Kingdom, someone to look important and gracious on public occasions. Supporter of the monarchy though I am, and at 76 I don’t anticipate changing my mind in the future, if that was all she was I would agree that there is no point in keeping the monarchy. You admirable couple, though with a completely different form of government, can appreciate the hard work she put into her unique reign. Thank you.

[@ChrisMartin-b7l]

The current monarch is the Head of State - the symbol of the UK. The King has no executive power - cannot make laws and direct things. However, as Head of the Armed Forces and the Judiciary the King acts as an important symbol of their separation of these from politics. The King's ceremonial role is, to me, vital. Any politician doing these things would be immediately hated by half the population. Think of the reception that the Queen's famous speech got at the time of Covid - she spoke in a way, free from politics, that meant she could speak for everyone.

[@tonys1636]

The Monarchy has immense latent power but chooses not to use it. If it was required to be used to prevent a total collapse of law and order or loss of the country as we know it, I'm sure whomever was reigning would not hesitate to take necessary action to restore normality and an effective Government.

[@janrogers8352]

@@tonys1636 this is what we all hope. There needs to some neutrality in the system for the good of all.

[@BethSc_VV]

It's not as clear cut as that. The monarch and their heir have the right to review any potential law and request it's changed if it will affect them. This right has been used hundreds, of not thousands, of times in living memory but it's not common knowledge. For example minimum wage laws do not apply to royal households and nor do laws regarding employment discrimination. The Guardian newspaper did a decent video showing some of the powers the crown has that aren't well known if you wish to know more.

[@pauline8200]

I had the pleasure of having met Her Majesty during my pass out and then again when I toured RAF Valley. Honourable and Surreal in the same breath. May she Rest In Peace xx

[@Frankie_24]

Had a similar experience as a Sgt in the ATC, explained in my comment above. Was extremely nervous as a young 16 year old but she was absolutely lovely

[@madabbafan]

With The Queen you had to watch the handbag that was how she gave signals to her aides. 1. Moves handbag tomother arm 'this person has had thier time with me, move me on. 2. Places it on the table 'I'm ready to leave, get the car' 3. Throws it at the wall 'Bloody hell, not ANOTHER flipping new PM, that does it, I'm having a revolving door fitted at No. 10.

[@laurabambam5342]

The queen was really funny, with a great sense of humour

[@XRos28]

The late Queen used to work 364 days a year (that is, every day of the year, but from Christmas). She did have a private palace in Scotland, for the summer months, but she worked every day she was there, as well.

[@edenhollow5965]

Another example of her sense of humour was the Opening of the London Olympics with Daniel Craig… not even her family was in on the secret! It’s brilliant! Just exemplifies yet another facet of this incredible person she was.

[@johnloony68]

I don't know where they got the figure of "69 years 157 days" from. She was Queen for 70 years and 7 months (6th Feb 1952 to 8th Sep 2022).

[@judithmorganjudyteen]

They calculate from the Coronation which Is wrong

[@johnloony68]

@@judithmorganjudyteen Even that is wrong, because from 2nd June to 8th September is not 157 days :)

[@slytheringingerwitch]

Our relationship with the monarchy has been very different over the years, decades and centuries, but most of those who wouldn't even consider themselves a monarchist loved Elizabeth II. She was a wonderful woman, dedicated to her duty and the majority of her public, not just British shed a tear when she passed away. Long live the King...

[@DarrenThyer-q3e]

Pizzoff, stop talking out of your arse man! They are a big joke. Just take andy boy, lovely kiddy fiddler isnt he! Nope, they are obselete in more ways than one! Cymru am byth!!!!

[@knowledge-seeker-x7u]

It's not the travel and moving around that's exhausting...there are people to help her. But it's the conversations that are heard and remembered by every single person who has heard her. Amazing strength.

[@PLuMUK54]

If you are interested in finding out about anniversaries, then I would like to suggest one for October. Look up the Aberfan disaster of 1966. You will need a box of tissues.

[@Millennial_Manc]

I admired how she went back repeatedly over the years. If we have to suffer a monarchy, that’s precisely the sort of thing I’d like them to do with their power.

[@TheNordicharps]

@@PLuMUK54 "Grey October" - it broke our hearts.

[@deniseadams1703]

The Queen succeeded her father in 1952; she was crowned in 1953.

[@MattBirch1991]

Some people have only ever known Her Majesty as the monarch. She was every bit of what people say. A very big reason the UK was so successful over the years.

[@divinelife732]

I share her birthday in April, my middle name is Elizabeth. I think my love for queenie was ingrained in me from birth 😂 she was a true inspiration ❤

[@lornaclayton2697]

The Queen had a wonderful sense of humour,as did Prince Philip. When he first saw her wearing the crown, he said, “Where did you get that hat?” 😂 Check some of the more light hearted videos too. There is one of the family doing Scottish dancing at Balmoral Castle. 😀

[@KevinN-df8eo]

Every person who has ever met the Queen will remember that until their dying day. A remarkable woman and monarch. God Bless Her.

[@raystewart3648]

Oh please, she was not important at all, nor was any Royal. Greed greed greed, that's all they are. I am not a Sheep like 79% other people.

[@frankparsons1629]

I had only the one acquaintance who met the Queen on numerous occasions and he was at one point in the 1970s our Prime Minister. Now the Queen has passed away I think of the numerous times he met with her in his capacity as PM and also before and after occupying that position in the Government while he was a Minister and Member of Parliament and afterwards simply because he moved in those circles. He never once mentioned the Queen to me but I'm perfectly sure he must have held very fond memories indeed of her. She was a very remarkable lady and much loved by millions of people; it brings a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye when I hear her voice.

[@jeffthomas2364]

Hi Guys, if you want to know more about what The Queen and The Royal Family do you’ll want your take a look at a video called Monarchy, The Royal family at work. It’s a short tv series that went out on BBC in The year of The Queens Diamond Jubilee.

[@gmdhargreaves]

Her late Majesty met more people than anyone in history, was the the most photographed person in history, and had a personal jewellery collection worth many times more than any living person at the time of her death.

[@TanyaRando]

Love today's top Lindsay! It's so good to see your confidence in front of the camera growing, and your interaction with the subject and the comments getting stronger 😍

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thank you, Tanya ❤

[@stevenmclaren2730]

Respect for the Queen isn't mandatory, but it is universal

[@lloydcollins6337]

18:24 worth remembering wherever she went she had a palace full of servants who could see what she was doing all the time so she was never truly alone. Sone awful newspapers even sent reporters in posing as staff to try and get Royal scoops which meant stuff leaked even if the actual servants were very discreet (which some of them were not).

[@lloydcollins6337]

@user-cp9dc7yu8t My grandfather was an airline pilot in the 1960s and told me that once when he landed at Berlin Airport he stopped on the runway to work out which taxiway to use. The air traffic control tower radioed him angrily asking "Why have you stopped? Have you never been to Berlin before?" My grandfather answered "Yes, plenty of times between 1940 and 1945 but it was dark and I didn't want to land"

[@mariannesyrett7759]

I wish we still had her these days. She had so much experience of problems❤ Lindsay, have you seen her funeral or the days she was being brought back to London? That will give you an idea of how loved she was❤

[@reactingtomyroots]

That's actually the video that goes up tomorrow! ❤

[@idristaylor5093]

2 points: i) Mozambique, although part of the Portuguese empire, asked to joint and was accepted into the Commonwealth. ii) Louis XIV only had a longer reign if you include the years when a regency was in effect, if you only count the actual job years, Elizabeth II's reign was considerably longer.

[@isobelstark2853]

And Rwanda, which had been a Belgian colony before gaining its independence, also asked to join and it now a full member.

[@idristaylor5093]

@@isobelstark2853 I had no idea. Thanks for the info. 😀

[@jemmajames6719]

Queens motto never explain never complain.

[@Steve-ys1ig]

I am a 61 year old man and I will admit to having tears in my eyes when they announced her death. We thought she would be with us forever as she had been with us for most living peoples whole lives. She was a permanent fixture who bought a sense of stability to the nation

[@sarahprice1375]

Imagine working all sorts of long hours and never letting distaste show on your face and not looking bored and being TACTFUL. She was amazing. What a role model x

[@carolineskipper6976]

It was much easier for Queen Elizabeth to have a high approval rating than for any politician. There were a couple of times when she possibly 'miss-stepped' but otherwise she was not publicly involved in any political decision or implememntation, which is bound to be divisive in a democracy. Queen Elizabeeth worked incredibly hard- remember that average of 6 engagements a week doesn't take into account that there were some weeks (over summers spent at Balmoral Castle, for example) where she did almost no engagements, and so on other weeks it would be considerably more than 6. The Empire consisted of countries which Britain 'ruled'. The Commonwealth was formed in 1949, and is a voluntary 'club' which many former colonies choose to join. Some Commonwealth countries still have the British Monarch as Head of State (Like Canada and Australia) and others do not. The Commonwealth exists to promote development, democracy and peace in the member states, and to share their individual cultures around the world. I would imagine the only person who truly knew her full persona would have been her husband, Prince Philip. Even for her children, who would obviously see her in her downtime, there would have been the element of being a role model for them. I guess her private love of horses and horse racing meant that those who worked with her horses- her trainers and so on - would have seen glimpses of the real woman behind the official mask. Some of the few times she was seen showing true uncomplicated emotion were at the races when one of her horses was romping home!

[@ianroper2812]

It does show how insular some people really are in understanding what a monarchy is or what it actually represents etc. Yet in the UK we see and understand what a US president represents.

[@daveac]

That length of time issue I think relates to 'becoming Queen on the death of her father' when her reign actually started - to the later date counting from the actual coronation service itself.

[@chrislofotos]

I had the great pleasure in photographing her majesty on a few occasions, whilst employed as photographer for the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. I did once make the mistake of letting the flash fire on my camera, which the Queen detested. After receiving a rather imperious look, I never made that mistake again 😀😀

[@reactingtomyroots]

😅

[@lenedavis4312]

I took my daughter to meet the Queen in 2003 as she did an official engagement in the town where we live and later on that day I went into labour and our son was born 😊❤.

[@Trebor74]

We've got the monarch,youve got your flag. Both representative of the country and above party politics.

[@knowledge-seeker-x7u]

Amazing to think, with all her travelling, she managed to produce four children too!!!

[@paulinehealey1653]

The Queen was our head of state for 70 years. She was sent a red box every day with papers for her to read, approve and sign. Her opinion counted for a lot, if she disapproved it usually wasn’t used! The Prime Minister has a meeting every Wednesday with her, now King Charles has to approve certain stuff. The Royal family bring millions of pounds of revenue into this country. They also go around the world and smooth things out between countries. We love our Royal family, we are very patriotic x

[@knowledge-seeker-x7u]

The Queen was 25 when her father died and she immediately became Queen. She was crowned at 27 in 1953 at Westminster Abbey

[@roberthancox]

The monarch is the living,breathing and walking and talking embodiment if nationhood.When a person bows or courtseys to the monarch it is not necessarily to the person,it is to the concept of nationhood and what that nation represents.

[@revmurrayarchibald-fisher7729]

Think of it as Authority & Power … The King Is The Personal Embodiment Of Each Of His 15 Independent Nations (Called Commonwealth Realms). All AUTHORITY Flows From The Crown Of Each Realm. Therefore, the King is Head of State Of Australia, Canada, The United Kingdom and 12 other Realms. As one Canadian journalist put it “When the Prime Minister bows to the Queen, he is bowing to us” The Prime Minister In Each Realm EXERCISES the POWER of the CROWN on the King’s behalf. Each PM holds his office by the choice of the people as their political leader. The King honours the choice of the people and invites the winner of the election to form government. Still, in every Realm it is His Majesty’s [Britannic, Australian or Canadian] Government and each respective Prime Minister is Head of Government in that Realm.

[@eh1702]

“When the Prime Minister bows to the Queen, he is bowing to us”. A pernicious fiction. Certainly not true in the UK. When the PM bows to the monarch, they’re bowing to the ruling caste. The “thousand families” have held on for a thousand years, and they own a bigger chunk of everything now than they did since Victorian times.

[@reactingtomyroots]

Thanks for the explanation :)

[@jeanlongsden1696]

the Monarchy are none political. their job is to help build bonds around the world and showcase all that is good about the UK. which will help build export around the globe. at home they are a tourist attraction, that brings millions of pounds into the British economy each year.

[@Millennial_Manc]

Legoland in Windsor has more visitors than Windsor Castle. The Palace of Versailles in France is their most visited tourist attraction and they did away with their unelected heads of state a long time ago. Having an elected head of state doesn’t mean pulling down the royal residences. Charles would probably win such an election anyway.

[@WJS774]

@@Millennial_Manc And how has France done since then? They are on what, their sixth republic? Meanwhile Britain has been stable since the 1680s.

[@artemisfowl66]

That massive amount of public engagements was largely accomplished during the school term time. In the school holidays she mostly carried out local and social responsibilities.

[@knowledge-seeker-x7u]

We have had kings and queens since 1066 and before. I believe QE was around 44th monarch to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. Along with our love and respect for her goes the sense of an amazing continuing (apart from Oliver Cromwell and the Civil War of course!!!) sense of our involvement in history...haven't said that very well .. hard to put into words. May King Charles, King William etc etc flourish and continue this unique and special line.

[@frankparsons1629]

Brief facts about the Coronation coach. It has been used in every Coronation since 1831 so it is not 'old' per se but it has to be maintained in a roadworthy condition. The coach is 29 feet long, almost 12 feet tall, and weighs four tons, that's almost as heavy as 3 average cars! Its quite a work of art in its own right. The coach is made of wood covered in gold leaf and has a velvet and silk interior. It features painted panels of Roman gods and goddesses, gilded sculptures, and triton figures above each wheel. Gold leaf, if subjected to weather year in and year out, has a life of some 70 years but this coach spends most of its life under cover and is kept on view for the public at the Royal Mews of Buckingham Palace.

[@patriciacarter1147]

The reigning monarch talks to the prime minister weekly and it has been said that no matter the situation with the country she could offer advice on how to change it, she had seen everything over the years and was very wise. A lot of the trips abroad were asked for by the government to improve trade or make new treaties.

[@vaudevillian7]

The monarch is like a human ‘flag’, that’s also able to talk and utilise soft power very well

[@MrBrianholding]

Neither of the videos you saw went into the Queen's personality. I never met her but she was meant to have a very sharp sense of humour and was an excellent mimic. There are also many stories of her kindness and understanding of her staff and people she met. There must be some videos about that somewhere

[@maryannedouglas]

Don't forget that Her Majesty served as a driver/mechanic during wwII. She served Her country and the Commonwealth Her entire life. 'Rest deary, rest!" Long live Her son and heirs. Long live the King!

[@1pixelinthespectrum]

Also, when looking at the number of years she wore the crown - it differs by one year to how long she was Queen. She became Queen the minute after her father, King George VI died and was crowned a year later. The country did celebrate and mark her 70th Jubilee. Diamond Jubilee. She always said that for her, she preferred to focus on the coronation because the day she actually became Queen was too sad for her. She was Queen for 70 years and officially crowned for 69 years.

[@JamesMillsScotland]

I used to be a footman at the palace and she was amazing to serve and work for

[@almightywillow]

We will never see another like her again

[@petergordon4525]

Our present Prime Minister, Keir Starmers approval rating is -16. Thats minus 16

[@mikdavies5027]

Really, as high as that?😀😀😀

[@petergordon4525]

@@mikdavies5027 probably falling daily, as the man's a buffoon. IMO

[@Millennial_Manc]

At least we can get rid of him in 5 years.

[@johnnyenglish33]

Keith?

[@Millennial_Manc]

@@johnnyenglish33 that’s how forgettable he is

[@martinsear5470]

The Crown TV series does a fairly good job of chronicling her reign. Just remember if you watch it that it is a dramatisation.