The longest reigning monarch ever (here and elsewhere, with one exception) had a uniquely magical celebration. Despite ill health.

Her family joined the nation, and billions all over the world on TV, to mark a 70 year milestone - which is very unlikely to be repeated ever again.

Samantha wrote:
The longest reigning monarch ever (here and elsewhere, with one exception) had a uniquely magical celebration. Despite ill health.

Her family joined the nation, and billions all over the world on TV, to mark a 70 year milestone - which is very unlikely to be repeated ever again.

Has she eclipsed King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand who reigned for 70 years and 126 days ?. Very close.

He wrote the Thai national anthem which they play every day on radio & is really good.

I once saw a parade in Bangkok for his 70th Birthday..100 beautifully decorated elephants & gorgeous military uniforms resplendent with tall white hats & plumes..giving the Brits a run for their money.

I also once saw a motorcade for his very popular daughter..4 uniformed motorcycle outriders at front and back..6 government Mercedes in their traditional fawn colours...and her driving herself in the middle in an old battered VW as is her wont.

Wasn't he the one who played the Sax? A good monarch is a huge asset to a country.

Louis XIV was the longest reigning monarch in a sovereign country.

The Sun King (Roi-Soleil) ruled for over 72 years, and died in 1715.

Samantha wrote:
Louis XIV was the longest reigning monarch in a sovereign country.

The Sun King (Roi-Soleil) ruled for over 72 years, and died in 1715.

I read somewhere that the other longer reigning kings cheated by ruling via a regent for part of their terms?

Anyone else (honestly deep down while not wanting really to say it...) disappointed in the very long carnival procession?

It seemed pretty unimaginative to me and just rolled out a few hippies/mods for the 60s and break dancers for the 80s etc. As for the "celebrities" on the buses - sorry but John Craven & a bloke who's name I can't remember from Emmerdale....

Where were the A listers? (Or Bs...?!). And the concert was just the usual tired Royal acts they always seem to turn to, and not even too many of them available (or willing to break a tour)...

Also while in the broadest sense "pop culture" can be great - they excluded anything outside of it over the past 70 years!

I am glad so many enjoyed the weekend and hope Her Maj did as well; but the last 2 days, anyway, did little for me.

Most of the 13 million of us who watched in this country will, I think, have enjoyed being taken down our memory lane.

Samantha wrote:
Most of the 13 million of us who watched in this country will, I think, have enjoyed being taken down our memory lane.

And I am very glad that most of you did Barney. I know I am in a minority of people I know, as well. It was a lovely time of celebration amongst the grim pantomime of life at the moment.

Wyot wrote:
Samantha wrote:
Most of the 13 million of us who watched in this country will, I think, have enjoyed being taken down our memory lane.

And I am very glad that most of you did Barney. I know I am in a minority of people I know, as well. It was a lovely time of celebration amongst the grim pantomime of life at the moment.

I didn't watch any of it.

If I wanted to know how rich folk party I could of asked Wyot.

Green Man wrote:
[quote]Wyot wrote:
[quote]Samantha wrote:


I didn't watch any of it.

If I wanted to know how rich folk party I could of asked Wyot.

By watching the carnival with my rapt 8 year old daughter, listening to her thoughts (properly not darting resentfully between my phone and real life) and drinking a few cups of tea. Now that is just one example of how the "rich" live. And so, yes, I am rich...

(Vomit inducing perhaps, but also true)

Wyot wrote:
Also while in the broadest sense "pop culture" can be great - they excluded anything outside of it over the past 70 years!
The only non-pop performers that got a look-in at the concert (judging from clips and the line-up) seemed to be Andrea Bocelli, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the two singers from Phantom of the Opera. No other classical musicians, or ballet dancers, or even folk musicians. Maybe the organisers thought that they would be too "elitist" or "niche" for the plebs.

Jo wrote:
Wyot wrote:
Also while in the broadest sense "pop culture" can be great - they excluded anything outside of it over the past 70 years!
The only non-pop performers that got a look-in at the concert (judging from clips and the line-up) seemed to be Andrea Bocelli, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the two singers from Phantom of the Opera. No other classical musicians, or ballet dancers, or even folk musicians. Maybe the organisers thought that they would be too "elitist" or "niche" for the plebs.

Was Diana Ross using a backing track, I saw Dolly Parton at the 02 who was using a backing track.

Wyot wrote:
[quote]Green Man wrote:
[quote]Wyot wrote:
Samantha wrote:


I didn't watch any of it.

If I wanted to know how rich folk party I could of asked Wyot.

By watching the carnival with my rapt 8 year old daughter, listening to her thoughts (properly not darting resentfully between my phone and real life) and drinking a few cups of tea. Now that is just one example of how the "rich" live. And so, yes, I am rich...

(Vomit inducing perhaps, but also true)

This quote is true.

Jo wrote:
Wyot wrote:
Also while in the broadest sense "pop culture" can be great - they excluded anything outside of it over the past 70 years!
The only non-pop performers that got a look-in at the concert (judging from clips and the line-up) seemed to be Andrea Bocelli, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the two singers from Phantom of the Opera. No other classical musicians, or ballet dancers, or even folk musicians. Maybe the organisers thought that they would be too "elitist" or "niche" for the plebs.
Too elitist or niche for anyone, considering it was meant to be a party. What a wet blanket that would have been!

Honey wrote:
Jo wrote:
Wyot wrote:
Also while in the broadest sense "pop culture" can be great - they excluded anything outside of it over the past 70 years!
The only non-pop performers that got a look-in at the concert (judging from clips and the line-up) seemed to be Andrea Bocelli, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the two singers from Phantom of the Opera. No other classical musicians, or ballet dancers, or even folk musicians. Maybe the organisers thought that they would be too "elitist" or "niche" for the plebs.
Too elitist or niche for anyone, considering it was meant to be a party. What a wet blanket that would have been!
Try telling that to the people who enjoy the Proms, for example.

Jo wrote:
Wyot wrote:
Also while in the broadest sense "pop culture" can be great - they excluded anything outside of it over the past 70 years!
The only non-pop performers that got a look-in at the concert (judging from clips and the line-up) seemed to be Andrea Bocelli, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the two singers from Phantom of the Opera. No other classical musicians, or ballet dancers, or even folk musicians. Maybe the organisers thought that they would be too "elitist" or "niche" for the plebs.

I think they did play it very safe and as I say for me the result was predictable and dull. Where was the sound of Irish music? Scottish reels? No wonder most of them don't want anything to do with us...What has Queen - without Freddie and in 2022 - got to do with anything!!

Honey wrote:
Jo wrote:
Wyot wrote:
Also while in the broadest sense "pop culture" can be great - they excluded anything outside of it over the past 70 years!
The only non-pop performers that got a look-in at the concert (judging from clips and the line-up) seemed to be Andrea Bocelli, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the two singers from Phantom of the Opera. No other classical musicians, or ballet dancers, or even folk musicians. Maybe the organisers thought that they would be too "elitist" or "niche" for the plebs.
Too elitist or niche for anyone, considering it was meant to be a party. What a wet blanket that would have been!

Well us elitists have human rights and feelings too honey *sniff*. Would it really have hurt to just give us 15 mins or so...

Wyot wrote:
Jo wrote:
Wyot wrote:
Also while in the broadest sense "pop culture" can be great - they excluded anything outside of it over the past 70 years!
The only non-pop performers that got a look-in at the concert (judging from clips and the line-up) seemed to be Andrea Bocelli, Andrew Lloyd Webber and the two singers from Phantom of the Opera. No other classical musicians, or ballet dancers, or even folk musicians. Maybe the organisers thought that they would be too "elitist" or "niche" for the plebs.

I think they did play it very safe and as I say for me the result was predictable and dull. Where was the sound of Irish music? Scottish reels? No wonder most of them don't want anything to do with us...What has Queen - without Freddie and in 2022 - got to do with anything!!

I'm sure Runrig could of rejoined for one night. How about a thick slice of Deacon Blue ?

Brian May does seem to be a ego maniac at times.

Wyot wrote:
Anyone else (honestly deep down while not wanting really to say it...) disappointed in the very long carnival procession?

.

I thought it was a great idea but a little bit lackluster.

But at least Cliff Richard got a Guernsey.

Wasn't blown away by the concert but good fun. Those poor Royal kids having to sit through all that..no wonder they played up.

FASHION NOTE: all Royal children should wear Sailor Suits

Yes JK..King Bhumibol was a terrific sax player and composer much loved by the Thais and the glue who held it together even through coups (Britain take note)

seems HM may eclipse his rule God Bless Her

Prince Harry is probably the only royal in generations not to be an inbred. Even William has the (in)famous Habsburg jaw. Just like Fergie and Andrew.

historycollection.com/16-royals-who-suff...aused-by-inbreeding/