Happy 80th Birthday Ma'am, but who thinks the Queen should continue to reign?
438849
Well she's 80, I say let her reign till she wants, it's not oftern you get to be queen! If you reigned would you want to give it up?
3639
Queen Elizabeth. Canada still likes to hang out w/ Britain.
691373
I don't really consider the Queen or Royal family to be "in power" as it is a purely ceremonial role nowadays.\n\nI really don't have any time for the Royal family as I consider them an irrelevant soap opera although I am happy to just ignore them if they are around.
1052123
I think first it depends if the monarchy will even be around when William assumes the throne.  As it has been mentioned, the Queen could live to be as old as her mother did, and that means we might have to wait a long time before William is King.  I do not see anything wrong with William giving his mother royal status again, that would be a nice way to honor her, especially since she will be the late King's mother and she should be afforded all the perks and pomp that goes along with it, even in death.
318846
Apparently\n\n"The Queen was actually born on 21 April 1926, but it has long been customary to celebrate the Sovereign's birthday on a day during the summer. Since 1805, the Sovereign's 'official' birthday has been marked by the 'Trooping the Colour' ceremony, normally held on the second Saturday in June."
426469
Actually I believe they say "long live the Queen" to honor the incoming Queen.It is a way to announce that it's time to move on.
631796
Queen might deserve that but do you think with Blair in chair others will take pride in such situations?
423762
She is the head of state of more than 70 different countries around the world.  Quite honestly, she is the most powerful person on the planet.  The commonwealth of Great Britain means that the Queen is the top official of countries like England, Scotland, Australia, even India.  If she so wanted, she could dissolve every single government she is the head of and replace the leaders with a person of her choosing.  This happened in Australia in the 1970's when the Governor General, a subordinate to the queen dissolved parliament.  She wouldn't of course, but she could, and that's what's scary about countries still flying under the monarchy.\n\nMore typically, she's the repersenative for gifts from other countries, represents England at formal ceremonies, bestows the status of knight (sir), etc.
1039024
well ----------She will be in the throne as long as there are fools who believe in this system!!!!!!!!--keep in mind that most kings and queens auto nominated themselves for this position ...and they impose themselves upon the people back then you had no choice now you do----but after  all let them believe in their fairy tales 'cause that is what ther are now !!!
1041062
There has been talk in the past of doing away with royalty in the UK.  They no longer have any say in government affairs but they do serve a purpose, as good will ambassadors and someone for the rest of us to talk about ;-)
989343
Yesterday's newspaper reported that it currently costs the British people $70 million dollars a year to maintain the Monarchy.\n\nConsidering the fact that the Monarchy plays no role in running the British Government, and makes no decisions or policy whatsoever, I think it's high time the British people dissolve the Monarchy and spend their money on ANYTHING better.\n\nPerhaps they should spend the money on paving the grass at Wimbledon with asphalt so they can finally have a more meaningful tennis tournament on hard-court that fairly decides the best player.
944290
The "queen mum" is short for the Queen Mother, which really means the Queen's Mother Who Was Herself a Queen.  She's dead.\n\nQueen Elizabeth II seems not to have any authority, but technically she does, as I am sure that she doesn't have to sign anything that she doesn't want to.  But that would cause an uproar you wouldn't believe.  And the Prime Minister has to go see her every week or so and go over the stuff they want her to sign.\n\nSo it's a bit of a puzzle as to just what kind of authority she has.  In actual practice she has no political authority...it's all theoretical.
315496
I hope she reigns for a few more years yet - she's got about another 10 to beat her great grandmother (Queen Victoria)
235187
It would be the prime minister.  If I remember correctly Jamaica is a former British colony and still has the Queen of England as it's head of "state", while the PM is the head of "government."
1140092
This sentence is standard english.  \n\nSo is the Queen.
358508
vote. What a pointless waste of time, get rid of this Head Of State rubbish, you need one democratically elected leader and that's that.  The Yanks do it, and it seems to work for them.  I guess you can tell I'm a Brit who wants a republic, but I wouldn't replace the queen with a president, just keep the role of PM
683534
We are still a part of the Commonwealth. We still have those in Australia who are Royalists.The Governor General is her representative here. We still pay all her costs and expenses when she visits here, well any of them that visit here, even though most times they are highly out of public reach. I have nothing against her personally but to me as an Australian, in my country she has no relevance to me.We became an independent nation at the turn of the century. We are our own people, problems and all. I have an Aboriginal mother and white father.My opinion comes from my experiences on both sides of the fence. She does nothing in Australia or for Australia or Australians. She is a figure head only that is really only a representation of ties with our past and history. I have seen my Indigenous history and ancestory destroyed and my relations including myself still feel the effects and pains of ties to Royalty and British Law. I think she is a lovely person who has sacrificed a great deal because of her heritage and responsibilities even taking all the perks she has aside. However she is not my Queen, never was and never will be. And no... I do not bow to her picture when entering a courtroom or other such place. It's not a sign of disrespect to her. It's a sign of self respect to myself and my cultural beliefs. I do not worship her. This is only my opinion and I respect if you disagree so plse don't jump all over me for voicing my opinion.\n\n\n\nTo genie81au...That statement you made re being held responsible for acts of genocide by the brits and those thereafter is a pretty pathetic excuse for remaining tied to the Queen. It's a statement of ignorance. Those past deeds are fact and while I do not hold you responsible for what happened to my people, no restoration, repatriation or apology has ever been remotely considered or implemented. Sad to see that in 2006 people still retain your attitude. Well they say ignorance is bliss. Unless you have walked in the shoes and fely the effects you wouldnt have a damn clue.