warpedskydiver 0 #1 April 21, 2006 Queen Celebrates 80th Birthday By JENNIFER QUINN, Associated Press Writer 52 minutes ago WINDSOR, England - Cheering crowds, red-jacketed bandsmen in bearskin hats and ceremonial gunfire saluted Queen Elizabeth II on her 80th birthday Friday, but stubborn clouds denied the monarch her wish for sunshine. Wearing a striking cerise coat and matching feathered hat, the queen appeared promptly after noon through the Henry VIII gate at Windsor Castle. Prince Philip, her husband of 58 years, briefly trailed behind but then moved off to greet other sections of the crowd. Friday's events included a 21-gun salute at Windsor, a 41-gun salute at Hyde Park in London and a formal dinner to round off the day at Kew Palace. But for monarchists and celebrity spotters, the day's big event was the chance to greet the queen outside the imposing castle founded by William the Conqueror. Crowds began building on the street hours before, and children in their blue school blazers waved white flags with the red cross of St. George, the patron saint of England. The queen smiled broadly as she accepted one bouquet after another handed across the barricades. "She has never been involved in a scandal, she has carried out her duties superbly, we love her to bits and hope that she reigns for at least another 20 years," said Colin Edwards, 65, from Ruthin, Wales, who claimed to have been a bystander at 113 royal events since 1982. "She's fantastic," said Mary Wintle, 71, who came from Wales to cheer the monarch. "Did you see Margaret Thatcher yesterday? Did you see her neck? Well, look at the queen's," Wintle said. Thatcher, in a birthday tribute on ITV News on Thursday, said the queen had been an inspiration. "Her guidance and advice are always most acute and as prime minister I was privileged to benefit from both enormously," said Thatcher, 80, who led the government from 1979-1990. On a visit to the British Broadcasting Corp. on Thursday, the queen had been asked what she wanted for her birthday. "A nice sunshiny day _ that would be nice," she said. Prime Minister Tony Blair and his cabinet sent a tea set made by Spode, the distinguished British potter. The cost was not disclosed. The queen has received more than 20,000 cards and 17,000 e-mails wishing her a happy birthday, Buckingham Palace said. "I have been very touched by what you have written and would like to express my gratitude to you all for making this day such a special one for me," the queen said in a message released Friday. The birthday has revived speculation about whether the queen would ever contemplate retiring and handing the throne to her heir, Prince Charles. But Countess Mountbatten, a close friend of the queen, said that is unlikely. "She regards the job as a job for life," the countess said in an interview with British Broadcasting Corp. radio. On Friday evening, the celebrations move to Kew Palace in London where Prince Charles was the host for dinner. Fireworks were laid on, and an orchestra to play selections from Handel's "Water Music," written for King George I in 1717. In Australia, where the queen is still head of state, Prime Minister John Howard said he would present the queen with an album of 15 photographs taken during her visits to the country. A giant Royal Standard flag few over Windsor Castle Friday to hearld the day. A Royal Standard is flown when the queen is in residence in one of the official palaces, including Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace, but the one used Friday was a special large banner 38 feet long and 19 feet wide. The Royal Standard is made up of four quarterings _ two for England, represented by three horizontal lions, one for Scotland represented by a standing lion and one for Ireland in the form of a harp. Wales is not represented because it has a special position as a principality recognized by the creation of the title of Prince of Wales. Quote I really could give two shit about the bunch of tossers we call the Royal Family, but the Queen is a decent, polite, and respectful of others and has done a great deal for her subjects. The same cannot be said for many of this worlds Heads of State. I have a friend that said the Queen was very kind to him, and was very interested in what he had to say whether she liked it or not.(awards ceremony) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MrBounce 0 #2 April 21, 2006 The Queen is the one and only member of the Royal Family that still retains my respect. Possibly the Princes will go on to do great things, but I'm not confident. I feel that Elizabeth will be our last, truly decent monarch. I wouldn't be too surprised if, when she steps down, this country goes on to become a republic of some kind. In the meantime, Happy Birthday Ma'am and many more of them. Gavin Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If you don't take it out and use it, its going to rust. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites jumpingjimmy 0 #3 April 21, 2006 agreed, the Queen is a class act i'm very proud of the fact we have a monarchy (but like you, not too botherd about some of the minor royals, they have brought a bit of shame onto themselves) i love the tradition of it all, and the fact there are many countries who envy Great Britain just having a president would really piss me off, to me it's much better the sense of belonging i get from having a royal family we'te not called Great Britain for nothing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites MrBounce 0 #4 April 21, 2006 Quote just having a president would really piss me off, to me it's much better the sense of belonging i get from having a royal family Yeah! We don't have to elect a moron every 4 years, instead they marry our monarch, and we get 'em for free for life! Quote we'te not called Great Britain for nothing Damn Right!!!! Gavin Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If you don't take it out and use it, its going to rust. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. Paste as plain text instead Only 75 emoji are allowed. × Your link has been automatically embedded. Display as a link instead × Your previous content has been restored. Clear editor × You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL. Insert image from URL × Desktop Tablet Phone Submit Reply 0
MrBounce 0 #2 April 21, 2006 The Queen is the one and only member of the Royal Family that still retains my respect. Possibly the Princes will go on to do great things, but I'm not confident. I feel that Elizabeth will be our last, truly decent monarch. I wouldn't be too surprised if, when she steps down, this country goes on to become a republic of some kind. In the meantime, Happy Birthday Ma'am and many more of them. Gavin Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If you don't take it out and use it, its going to rust. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jumpingjimmy 0 #3 April 21, 2006 agreed, the Queen is a class act i'm very proud of the fact we have a monarchy (but like you, not too botherd about some of the minor royals, they have brought a bit of shame onto themselves) i love the tradition of it all, and the fact there are many countries who envy Great Britain just having a president would really piss me off, to me it's much better the sense of belonging i get from having a royal family we'te not called Great Britain for nothing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MrBounce 0 #4 April 21, 2006 Quote just having a president would really piss me off, to me it's much better the sense of belonging i get from having a royal family Yeah! We don't have to elect a moron every 4 years, instead they marry our monarch, and we get 'em for free for life! Quote we'te not called Great Britain for nothing Damn Right!!!! Gavin Ashes to ashes, dust to dust. If you don't take it out and use it, its going to rust. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
