General Chat

Prince William and his brother may have found the strength behind their

from Charles and their Uncle. I respect Charles for having the character to

shake hands with an apprehensive Gerry Adams.

What I have noticed over the years that we have lived outside the UK is that having a Head of State who is not elected and is therefore apolitical allows for a far better "appearance" at official events around the world than when the Head of State is elected, a la President of the US, President of France, etc.

It was made particularly apparent to me at one of the recent papal coronations (I forget whether it was Pope Francis or Pope Benedict) ................

all the dignitaries where there, seating in the open in the Square, Prince Charles represented the Queen, and then there was the President of the US

Much of the coverage was directed to where the President was sitting, who was sitting next to him/in front of him/behind him, what this meant in terms of honouring him or insulting him, what this would mean to diplomacy between the Papal State and the US, etc etc. His position was really important to a lot of political commentators over here, and probably to some of his advisors :-0

ie, very political, and very distracting from the real event .............. the coronation of the new Pope.

On the other hand, Prince Charles' attendance was treated as perfectly normal, no discussion on why he was seated where he was, who was next him ............ just his attendance was praised.


We have the Governor-General of Canada who can represent Canada at such events (as do Australia and NZ, and several other ex-Commonwealth countries), with the same apolitical reporting of their attendance(s).

I LIKE that apolitical aspect!

Cut back to basics, I'd rather have King William than President Trump. The days of the divine right of kings may be gone and for the best, but there are bigger threats to democracy than having a Royal family.

I like William, and in spite of some ethical objections, I also like Charles. It's rather a shame he will be king though, I like the fact that he can speak out on topics that concern.... and he has a very nice garden so can't be all bad ;-) I bet Trump wouldn't know which end of a daffodil bulb goes upwards.

But I digress......
:-D

I am so grateful for the laughs :-D :-D :-D :-D

I suppose monarchists have always been blind to republicans.

Been there ... a sort of upmarket TGiFridays, v popular for sure.
Prefer Ruth's Chris .
After a day's sailing Poggio Trattoria in Sausalito is great or just the other side of the bridge try Cavallopoint.

San Francisco is an expensive shadow of what it used to be sad to say but it has lots of company. It is now much cheaper ( and less violent than London ) to look at LA South. Rather than education it is gentrification which is making the difference.

I am just not a fan of George I and his descendants. They are the primary reason why our half baked democracy is such a mess.

SPQR

It's a long way to travel for a night out :-0 :-D :-D :-D :-D

:-D :-D :-D :-D

No, neither could I!!!

But I could see him in that restaurant I mentioned, named best new one only a couple of years ago ;-) ;-) ;-)

I'm sure he enjoys a nice emal out, just like the rest of us!

I was completely at a loss to see where the connection was unless William is in the habit of wearing a Toga in private ;-) :-D :-D :-D

I was completely at a loss to see where the connection was unless William is in the habit of wearing a Toga in private ;-) :-D :-D :-D

Precisely, LaGooner!

I didn't intend to elicit a lecture in my what I thought was a fun response ;-)

:-D

But what has either got to do with Prince William :-S :-S :-S

"SPQR" is a very well known motto of the Roman republic and is for that reason widely used by Italian restaurants world over inc the one in Filmore Street, S.F. which is good fun though far from classy. There is nothing classy in Filmore Street.

Of course there are other Italian establishments going by such monikers as Neros and Caesars.

SPQR ...... restaurant in northern California


I'm not trying to show off my Latin knowledge, nor my knowledge of the old Roman Empire, though I have a LOT of history education.

Other than Royal still not sure why it actually applies to this thread....

SPQR (Latin: Senatus Populusque Romanus, "The Roman Senate and People", or more freely as "The Senate and People of Rome"; Classical Latin: [s?'na?.tus p?pu'lus.k?? ro?'ma?.nus]) refers to the government of the ancient Roman Republic.

The last king of Rome was Tarquin.
Lucius Tarquinius Superbus - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Tarquinius_Superbus

Lucius Tarquinius Superbus (died 495 BC) was the legendary seventh and final king of Rome, reigning from 535 BC until the popular uprising in 509 BC that led to the establishment of the Roman Republic. He is commonly known as Tarquin the Proud, from his cognomen Superbus (Latin for "proud, arrogant, lofty").

Reference to a Latin phrase I think Sylvia. I did Latin many years ago :-D :-D :-D

Ah yes, Rollo ........

a delightful restaurant in California. An old friend has recommended that we go there if we visit to California any time soon

An interesting name, don't you think?

But not quite sure how it has any reference to Prince William :-D :-D

SPQR

totally agree.... a lovely young man, good husband and great father.