NationStates Jolt Archive

In an announcement that came as a surprise to almost all her subjects, and a shock to many, the palace has issued a statement, on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Realms, announcing the Queen's intention to resign "upon some indeterminate date within the next twelve months".

The palace note, which offers little detail as yet, indicates that Her Majesty "recognises the need for change". Elizabeth II has been queen since 1952.

It is expected that Crown Prince Charles will suceed his mother, on the British throne and on the throne of each of the Commonwealth realms. He will become King Charles III. This title will be used also in the Commonwealth realms, where there has of course been no Charles I or Charles II.

It is likely that the Queen will also renounce her position as Head of the Commonwealth. As this is not a hereditary position, the leaders of Commonwealth member governments will have to determine a new leader for the 53-nation organisation.

In Britain, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has stated simply that he "respect[s] Her Majesty's decision" and expresses his gratitude for her long years of service on the throne.

[...]

In Britain, Australia and elsewhere, it is considered likely that the Queen's resignation will spark fresh talks of republicanism.

(link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7323667.stm))

Comments? Do you think there'll be a push for a British republic? Or will Charles be accepted as King?

Eh, the Brits seem like they would go for another King. It is, after all, a matter of national pride to have a royal at this point.

(link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7323667.stm))

Comments? Do you think there'll be a push for a British republic? Or will Charles be accepted as King?
Could be, could be. (Until someone actually clicks on the link. Nice. ~_^)

Wild.

Your link doesn't point to the correct article. As punishment, I voted for every poll option. :D

It's april 1. Is this story legit?

As for whatever happens, I'm not fussed. You can't argue the royals don't do some good for britain, and you can't argue they don't cost a lot of money either, but then hardly any compared to some things we splash out on. I don't really see what republicanism gets us, since our government -is- already a democracy. There's no chance of a monarch pulling any funny business, so I don't entirely comprehend what we gain by abolishing them.

It's april 1. Is this story legit?

As for whatever happens, I'm not fussed. You can't argue the royals don't do some good for britain, and you can't argue they don't cost a lot of money either, but then hardly any compared to some things we splash out on. I don't really see what republicanism gets us, since our government -is- already a democracy. There's no chance of a monarch pulling any funny business, so I don't entirely comprehend what we gain by abolishing them.

Not on the BBC website. April Fools. :)

It'll cost a shitload of money just to get all the old coinage and notes back and issue new ones with Charles on them... not to mention the stamps.

And all those colourful uniforms with ER II on them... will they a auctioned off? Can I get one for my BF on ebay?

Monarchs don't resign, they abdicate, I knew this was April Fools, I have had several less than funny attempts by friends today.

(link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7323667.stm))

Comments? Do you think there'll be a push for a British republic? Or will Charles be accepted as King?

Winner for best April Fools prank.

I didn't believe this story not because as Andras said "Monarchs don't resign, they abdicate" (Good pick by the way), but because Queen Elizabeth II has a strong sense of commitment and loyalty to her position as Queen, to the British parliament and to the citizens of Commonwealth nations that have her as their Head of State/Sovereign, she will never abdicate

Winner for best April Fools prank.

I didn't believe this story not because as Andras said "Monarchs don't resign, they abdicate" (Good pick by the way), but because Queen Elizabeth II has a strong sense of commitment and loyalty to her position as Queen, to the British parliament and to the citizens of Commonwealth nations that have her as their Head of State/Sovereign, she will never abdicate

Plus, if she would I would assume she'd give a date. ;)

Now comeon... You could have atleast tipped a bucket of water on our head as we came into the thread...

Winner for best April Fools prank.

Thank you.


I didn't believe this story not because as Andras said "Monarchs don't resign, they abdicate" (Good pick by the way), but because Queen Elizabeth II has a strong sense of commitment and loyalty to her position as Queen, to the British parliament and to the citizens of Commonwealth nations that have her as their Head of State/Sovereign, she will never abdicate

You're right, of course. I don't believe Elizabeth would abdicate, or at least not as long as she remains healthy and able to fulfil her function as head of State. I suppose that was indeed a clue that could make any Commonwealth citizen suspicious.

It'll cost a shitload of money just to get all the old coinage and notes back and issue new ones with Charles on them... not to mention the stamps.

The Bank of England would not get all the old coinage and notes back; the existing currency would continue to circulate. Prior to Britain going decimal in 1971, it was common to see pennies from the reign of Queen Victoria and a good proportion of small change still bore the image of King George VI.

In saying that, this is a pretty good April Fools Day prank. I have already been told that Brisbane's Kippa-Ring Line has had track trouble and that Auckland's locomotives are being re-numbered.

Hehe, nice :)

(link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7323667.stm))

Comments? Do you think there'll be a push for a British republic? Or will Charles be accepted as King?

HA HA

The Bank of England would not get all the old coinage and notes back; the existing currency would continue to circulate. Prior to Britain going decimal in 1971, it was common to see pennies from the reign of Queen Victoria and a good proportion of small change still bore the image of King George VI.

Indeed. And Fiji money still depicts Queen Elizabeth, although Fiji became a republic in 1987.


In saying that, this is a pretty good April Fools Day prank.

Thanks. :D

April fools!!!

but I picked Elizabeth should remain on the throne.


God save the queen!!!!

I rank your attempt at April Fools humour an F+.

Comments? Do you think there'll be a push for a British republic? Or will Charles be accepted as King?

Took me five seconds to remember that today's the 1st of April. Nice try.

Obviously an april fool's joke and an evil one at that... I believed you at first. Scared me half to death...

(link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7323667.stm))

Comments? Do you think there'll be a push for a British republic? Or will Charles be accepted as King?

While I did pick it out as fishy the moment I entered the thread (I'd perused the news ten seconds before I came here), I do have to give kudos for writing it fairly well. While not convincing that it would be a BBC article, one might be able to believe that it's from some broadsheet/tabloid or another, one of those prolific beasties of yellow journalism which abound in Britain.

Obviously an april fool's joke and an evil one at that... I believed you at first. Scared me half to death...

Sorry. I wasn't trying to cause any heart attacks. :D

While I did pick it out as fishy the moment I entered the thread (I'd perused the news ten seconds before I came here), I do have to give kudos for writing it fairly well. While not convincing that it would be a BBC article, one might be able to believe that it's from some broadsheet/tabloid or another, one of those prolific beasties of yellow journalism which abound in Britain.

Thanks. And yes, good point; I should have "quoted" it from some tabloid.

You had me going there. A very well-done prank. *applause*

It occured to me right away that today was April 1st, but I was surprised to see how many responded before a suspicious person did.

You fooled a bunch.

How many voted?

Nice.

If this were actually true, I'd put Wills on the throne, the UK certainly doesn't need Mad King Charles III.

I caught on pretty quick, mostly because I'm sure this would have made front page of my newspaper were it true. Still voted to abolish the monarchy, though. :p

It would be a lot funnier if she'd actually done it, though. :P (Only to inform everyone tomorrow morning that "sorry, I was joking.")

Good april fools :P

God save the queen,
And her facist regime!

Heheh! Got the prank right away. Too bad it was a prank...

You know...this would have been a better prank had you chosen a BBC link that didn't contain the word 'africa'...

Just a thought. ;)

You fooled a bunch.

How many voted?

30. Doesn't mean they all fell for it, though.

It would be a lot funnier if she'd actually done it, though. :P (Only to inform everyone tomorrow morning that "sorry, I was joking.")

I don't think that's our dear Lizzy's kind of humour.

You know...this would have been a better prank had you chosen a BBC link that didn't contain the word 'africa'...

Just a thought. ;)

Heh. Fair point.