What is in your cup?

[desertblues]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

why??

She is 75 years old and is in good health, but says she has to step back for the next generation. She has had a tough life the last ten years: parents died, husband died, attack on the Royal Family a few years ago which had a huge impact on the family as 6 innocent bystanders were killed
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_at...h_Royal_Family ) and one of her sons is in coma after an avalanche, since one year.

[dreams]

Originally Posted by lorenzoens

in my cup:

Earl Grey tea, with a good twist of lemon, lime, and half a slice of grapefruit. No sugar added.

Love it, this is my favourite winter tea.

Welcome to the thread lorenzoens.

I love Earl Grey, but not with anything in it.


Almost time to make another cup, as my coffee is almost finished.

[ProfCrash]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

why??

From what I read on BBC it is tradition.

[orlok]

Originally Posted by desertblues

She is 75 years old and is in good health, but says she has to step back for the next generation. She has had a tough life the last ten years: parents died, husband died, attack on the Royal Family a few years ago which had a huge impact on the family as 6 innocent bystanders were killed
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_at...h_Royal_Family ) and one of her sons is in coma after an avalanche, since one year.

Quite a tale of woe. If our queen stepped down there'd be a state of shock and mourning (in no small part due to the fact that Prince Charles would take over ).

Sol beer in my bottle. With a slice of lime. You could almost imagine it is summer...

[kindlekitten]

Originally Posted by desertblues

She is 75 years old and is in good health, but says she has to step back for the next generation. She has had a tough life the last ten years: parents died, husband died, attack on the Royal Family a few years ago which had a huge impact on the family as 6 innocent bystanders were killed
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_at...h_Royal_Family ) and one of her sons is in coma after an avalanche, since one year.

I think I knew about the attack, that was the one over those damn cartoons, right? I hadn't heard about the avalanche though.

Originally Posted by orlok

Quite a tale of woe. If our queen stepped down there'd be a state of shock and mourning (in no small part due to the fact that Prince Charles would take over ).

Sol beer in my bottle. With a slice of lime. You could almost imagine it is summer...

I often wonder if that in part is what keeps her going

[orlok]

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I often wonder if that in part is what keeps her going

I genuinely think it factors into her thinking.

[cromag]

Back from the horses. Three of our six riders canceled. The roads are slushy, with a few patches of ice, but not too bad.

Settling down with a mug of hot pu-erh tea to take the edge off.

[desertblues]

Originally Posted by ProfCrash

From what I read on BBC it is tradition.

Yes, they can abdicate when they want

Originally Posted by kindlekitten

I think I knew about the attack, that was the one over those damn cartoons, right? I hadn't heard about the avalanche though.

No, it was a deranged young man, with a grudge against the royal family.

In my cup: water

[troll05]

The cartoon attack was in Denmark, but you'll find those fuzzheads anywhere I think.

In my cup: Fine frech wine (2001 Chateau St.Emilion)

[maianhvk]

Does prince Wilem has good reputation as queen Beatrix, blues?

[ProfCrash]

Matcha Latte

[dreams]

Decaf coffee in my cup and thinking of having some cornbread.

[Iridal]

Originally Posted by dreams

Plain coffee in my cup and getting started on the pile of laundry.

Good luck, I should do the same with our pile. But somehow I always find more interesting things to do

Originally Posted by desertblues

in my cup: h-o-t coffee

(awaiting the news on T.V.:Queen Beatrix will speak to the people...abdicate?)

edit: update
Yes, she will abdicate on the 30th of April.

Originally Posted by desertblues

She is 75 years old and is in good health, but says she has to step back for the next generation. She has had a tough life the last ten years: parents died, husband died, attack on the Royal Family a few years ago which had a huge impact on the family as 6 innocent bystanders were killed
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_at...h_Royal_Family ) and one of her sons is in coma after an avalanche, since one year.

I saw it too last night. I wish our king would do the same, he's even older than Beatrix ... But of course then we'd have Prince Filip as king ... Maybe that's even worse

Another weekend has come and gone, time to get started at work again. Sipping a cappuccino, trying to get a clear head. It's going to be a busy week!

[VydorScope]

So, forgive my stupid American ignorance... but not sure I understand the modern concept of "king" and "queen." I am pretty sure that Brittian's queen is a symbolic postion now, and that parliament rules the country, is that correct? Is that true for Queen Beatrix also?

Black Silk Coffee in the tigger mug this am...

[pdurrant]

Nothing in my cup at the moment. I must get some iced water shortly.

The UK Monarchy is an oddity. Rule is by custom, rather than by written constitution. The armed forces swear personal allegiance to the current monarch, and their heirs and successors.

The UK monarch must assent to any laws passed by the Houses of Parliament, although this is now a formality, and Royal Assent has not been refused since 1707.

Parliament rules, but the Queen does have a weekly meeting with the Prime Minister, and no doubt has influence behind the scenes. In public, the monarch remains strictly neutral with regard to party politics.

I was fascinated to read about the Belgian Monarchy, which is a much more constitutional monarchy than the UK one.