I've recently read an editorial in The Age
that stated that Elizabeth II has been one
of the longest serving monarchs in English
history, surpassing the record reign of 63 years
and seven months set by her great-great-grandmother
Victoria.

I agree with the editorial. It is a remarkable
achievement - one that may never be beaten.

I thought it would be interesting to read what
posters on this forum feel about the Queen - and
especially what recollections they may have of
her?

Personally, I should make it clear that I admire her
greatly.

Well Foxy, she may well be a grand old lady, and I am sure that she and some of the other Royals have brought in some much needed distractions, and tourist dollars, for England over the years.

However, she should not be Australia's Queen now because we need to finally cut the apron strings of a country so far away from us, and get on with the business of just dealing with Australian business.
Bring on the Republic.

Dear Suse,

Here's the article that I mentioned earlier.
I think it sums up Her Majesty's attributes
rather well. As for a Republic?
I'm sure that Her Majesty would approve if that's
what the people of Australia really wanted.

http://www.theage.com.au/comment/the-age-editorial/elizabeth-ii-a-queen-for-the-people-20150908-gjhq8p.html

//However, she should not be Australia's Queen now because we need to finally cut the apron strings of a country so far away from us, and get on with the business of just dealing with Australian business.//

I've seen a few commentators suggest that we should wait until Good Queen Bess dies and move to a Republic when Prince Charles when inherits the throne. Given how long her mother lived, we might be waiting a while.

I don't see that it matters. She doesn't have any influence on Australian politics. When the Australian Parliament appoints a new Governor General she rubber stamps the appointment. That's all she really does aside from posing in portrait so we can put her head on our money and showing up on the ABC once a year to deliver her message of Christmas goodwill, which thankfully it is not compulsory to watch.

Canada, despite obvious geographical differences, is culturally very similar to Australia. I wonder if they have this same debate. I imagine the Quebecois are all for a republic, but Canada is still a constitutional monarchy like us. Maybe they looked next door and saw what happened to the Americans, and swore not to embrace such madness.

For conservatives the Queen is the embodiment of continuity, service and duty, standing above mundane politics whilst reminding us of our lower place in society.

For progressives the Queen is the anachronistic emblem of entitlement (both literal and figurative) whilst being the embodiment of continuity, service and duty.

For anarchists the Queen will be the first up against the wall.

But for me, I'll always remember how much I laughed at myself back in January 2004 when I failed to notice the 'h' and misread the news headline: "Queen clubs pheasant to death".

As Cleese and the Ronnies clarified, "I know my place."

Well Foxy, it shouldn't be up to the Queen to approve or not.
I look forward to the day when we don't have someone else's Queen on our coins.

I still think it makes us seem like the far-flung penal colony we once were if we continue on with this ancient monarchy stuff.

We may have to agree to disagree on this one :)
At least it is a welcome distraction from the hatred and vitriolic anti-Muslim threads that fester on this forum at present!