Prince Philip retiring

[Melody]

Well, that was an interesting few hours. Facebook and Twitter were full of stories that Prince Philip had died - or maybe the Queen had died (and we want William! not Charles! to succeed her because we don't understand how the monarchy works...) - because of some rumours about an emergency meeting of senior staff.

 

Then the announcement comes that Prince Philip is retiring from royal duties in the autumn (aged only 96 after all), and I swear half the people on the "he's dead!" threads were disappointed. Social media has a lot to answer for.

 

I do wonder what the Queen will do, though, since they do so many royal engagements together and have done for so long. Hopefully one of the men in the family will be on hand to escort her so she doesn't have to adjust to going out alone after all those decades of working together.

Edited May 4, 2017 by Melody

[Jacqueline]

Yes, I don't know whether it is funny or pathetic or both, the way social media never fails to respond, like a seething mass of bored piranhas having a feeding frenzy on a new rumour dropped into their tank. Never mind facts, let's just overreact! I don't doubt some were genuinely disappointed that nobody had died.

I am not surprised Prince Philip is hanging up his ceremonials, who could blame him? I doubt the Queen will do anything other than continue, gradually, to hand over some of her responsibilities. When you look at the line up  waiting to take her place, it is rather scary to think, given the ages involved, that the inevitable is drawing near. I say long may Elizabeth ll reign over us but one has to be realistic. Then again, I am of the view that the monarchy is an anachronistic institution, with no place in modern times and when Her Majesty goes, that should be an end to it. No doubt others will disagree. I am just expressing my own opinion. 

Edited May 4, 2017 by Jacqueline