Trooping the Colour

[Sukerkin]

When I was young, I thought that this symbollic event was a waste of time, effort and public money.

Now that I am older, I find that I enjoy it more every year and also have come to see it as a highly visible iconograph of the continuity of government in this country.

That has been especially true this year, with our having had our noses rubbed in just how corrupt and worthless our elected officials can be.

Showing just how long the Queen has been serving her people, here's some archive footage from 1951:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8097458.stm

and here's the news from today:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8098472.stm

I know that much criticism is made of the 'lottery' that is a foundation of power based on heredity but we certainly had a winner with Elizabeth II.

We've touched on before the nature of the British political system, with the Commons, the Lords and the Crown all working to provide a stable matrix of checks and balances. Of late, I fear that the Commons has gathered to itself too many unintended nuances of 'power' and this has to be rectified - for, like a three-legged stool, if one leg is too weak or too tall then it just doesn't work.

 

[Carol]

While that doesn't get much coverage in the states, I'm with you there Suke.

The Monarchy has become more modern with the times. I don't think anyone would have begrudged Prince Harry had he chosen to attend university upon finishing his schooling. But for him to elect to go in to the military - which was the traditional path of the second born son - when he clearly had many other options...seems very touching.