Queen Elizabeth II Dies at 96

I do know. They are technically prince/princess, but Edward and Sophie opted not to have them use them. Sophie said a couple of years ago that the kids can decide for themselves when they turn 18. That said, Lady Louise Windsor turned 18 last November and is still known as Lady Louise.

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Got it! But also then may I ask if you know, why do Prince Edwardā€™s childrenā€™s titles stem from his Earldom and not his birthright Prince title, like Andrewā€™s girls?

ETA: looks like we were typing at the same time, and that question was answered! Thanks! What did they have to gain by not being ā€œprinceā€ and ā€œprincessā€ though?

I understand that Charles is King in the line of succession, but that doesnā€™t mean I have to like it! My H (Bermuda born citizen of the British Commonwealth) finds it very entertaining how much us ā€œcolonistsā€ are into the British monarchy.

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Maybe they thought their kidsā€™ childhood would be more ā€œnormalā€ without Prince/princess. IDK.

Personally, Iā€™m enjoying the heck out of Irish twitter today,

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As one version of this tradition goes, Queen Victoria ordered all of Ireland to paint their doors black to mourn Prince Albertā€™s death.

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Yes, it seems like Queen Elizabeth II has attracted a lot more attention than Mikhail Gorbachev, who arguably had much greater influence (whether you think good or bad) on history trying to solve the USSRā€™s problems and defrosting the Cold War compared to being a figurehead monarch.

Maybe trying to step a little outside of the gilded cage that figurehead royalty tend to inhabit (although the titles or not probably do not stop the paparazzi media from being attracted to them).

I think many of us are as amused (or bemused) by the monarchy as interested. I donā€™t think itā€™s unusual, as it seems like one great big family drama. And we sure like our mini-series!

Itā€™s just fairy tale stuff for grown-ups. At least for me. Iā€™m so glad weā€™re not paying for that.

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It is the ultimate reality TV show which started long before reality TV became a thing. :slight_smile:

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Yes! I donā€™t follow the royals closely but have enjoyed watching The Crown.

Today as I was driving, the station I was listening to played a clip of Charlesā€™ speech. I guess I havenā€™t listened to him much, because I couldnā€™t stop myself from laughing and thinking ā€œhe sounds just like the guy from The Crown!ā€

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I donā€™t watch the Crown, I really canā€™t stand watching TV. But this clip made me lol.

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To be fair to the Americans, Tony Blair recounts a time when he attended a conference and met then-Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. While making small talk, clearly not realizing who she was, asked her, ā€œAnd what do you do?ā€

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I felt bad for young George, Charlotte and Louis. They had their first full day of school at their new school then the Queen died later that afternoon. I assume they might be taking some time off. Not a good start to their new school.

But am I the only one when they heard ā€œKing Charlesā€ thought of king charles spaniels? :laughing: (Technically named Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.)

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No.

At least yesterday, googling King Charles brought up this as the first suggestion

The second suggestion was

Today the algorithm has changed

Or legacy preferences in US college admissions, which are popular among forum posters (who are more likely to be able to benefit or have their kids benefit from them), although not so much among the general public.

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A king charles spaniel was the best dog we ever owned.

The first connection I made when I heard King Charles was our late, great, wonderful cavalier king Charles spaniel. May King Charles III be as great.

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I thought King Charles 's address today was lovely.

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No, I didnā€™t think that at all. But it is amusing.