Why does the Queen never attend funerals of other heads of state?

Vodka_Drinka · 14/12/13 - 19:22

Just heard that on Sky News that the Queen is sending Prince Charles to represent her at Mandela's funeral. Prince Charles is not our heard of state, she is and she should be there. It was the same back in 2005 when the Pope died, and just to prove its down to her age, she didn't even attend JFK's funeral in person and sent Philip in her place. She was still a young woman back then.

Does the Queen think she's more important than other heads of state or something?

I was under the impression that she was genuinely fond of Nelson Mandela as well?

yellowpark · 14/12/13 - 19:27

It's been 8 years since the pope died?

No way, he died just the other day! where has time gone?

:o

James Frederick · 14/12/13 - 19:29

yellowpark wrote: »

It's been 8 years since the pope died?

No way, he died just the other day! where has time gone? :o

Well when you think about it there have been 2 Pope's since him

Vodka_Drinka · 14/12/13 - 19:29

yellowpark wrote: »

It's been 8 years since the pope died?

No way, he died just the other day! where has time gone? :o

Yeah, it was eight years ago. Quite scary when you think about it.

chattamanuk · 14/12/13 - 19:30

Hasn't she been advised to ease up on flying long distances? - she is getting on a bit

neelia · 14/12/13 - 19:31

Vodka_Drinka wrote: »

Just heard that on Sky News that the Queen is sending Prince Charles to represent her at Mandela's funeral. Prince Charles is not our heard of state, she is and she should be there. It was the same back in 2005 when the Pope died, and just to prove its down to her age, she didn't even attend JFK's funeral in person and sent Philip in her place. She was still a young woman back then.

Does the Queen think she's more important than other heads of state or something? I was under the impression that she was genuinely fond of Nelson Mandela as well?

Wasn't she pregnant re JFK?

phylo_roadking · 14/12/13 - 19:34

Wasn't she pregnant re JFK?

Jesus Christ! I know he put it about more than a bit, but....:o

Vodka_Drinka · 14/12/13 - 19:37

phylo_roadking wrote: »

Jesus Christ! I know he put it about more than a bit, but....:o

:D:D:D

Seriously, I didn't realise she was pregnant the . But still it doesn't explain why she doesn't bother now.

davidmcn · 14/12/13 - 19:37

neelia wrote: »

Wasn't she pregnant re JFK?

Yes, she would have been about five months pregnant.

I expect like most 87 year olds she'd prefer not to make long haul trips.

Psychosis · 14/12/13 - 19:37

She's an elderly woman.

neelia · 14/12/13 - 19:37

phylo_roadking wrote: »

Jesus Christ! I know he put it about more than a bit, but....:o

That's how rumours start

neelia · 14/12/13 - 19:38

Vodka_Drinka wrote: »

:D:D:D

Seriously, I didn't realise she was pregnant the . But still it doesn't explain why she doesn't bother now.

I don't think it takes much more explanation than her age.

~Twinkle~ · 14/12/13 - 19:39

Vodka_Drinka wrote: »

:D:D:D

Seriously, I didn't realise she was pregnant the . But still it doesn't explain why she doesn't bother now.

Probably, and most likely, because of her advancing years.

mounty · 14/12/13 - 19:51

because they wont let her ride the coffin

[Deleted User] · 14/12/13 - 19:52

he wasn't Head of State, he's an ex-President

neelia · 14/12/13 - 19:53

bugloss wrote: »

he wasn't Head of State, he's an ex-President

Good point.

Few HsOS die in post.

edEx · 14/12/13 - 19:54

Might be because she's pushing 90 years old and it's a 10 hour flight to South Africa. Just a thought.

[Deleted User] · 14/12/13 - 20:05

and anyway, if she watches the bbc, it'll be just like being there, all week

getzls · 14/12/13 - 20:06

Vodka_Drinka wrote: »

Does the Queen think she's more important than other heads of state or something? I was under the impression that she was genuinely fond of Nelson Mandela as well?

bugloss gives the correct answer.

And it's Her Majesty The Queen to you.

You peasant you.

[Deleted User] · 14/12/13 - 20:09

and i'm genuinely disgusted The Spice Girls haven't bothered to go

tellywatcher73 · 14/12/13 - 20:10

Prince Charles has been taking over a lot of her usual engagements lately, it's just that she's elderly and in semi retirement. It was mentioned a while ago that she wouldn't be travelling as much.

Bahtat · 14/12/13 - 20:11

Because she's an old bag.

MargMck · 14/12/13 - 20:36

I wouldn't send my ancient Dad on a round trip like that. No one should expect such an elderly woman to do it, or her even older husband. They still attend a lot of events in the UK but it's been made clear that younger family members will do the long haul visits.

[Deleted User] · 14/12/13 - 21:11

The prime minister of the day is sent along with Prince Charles to represent the Queen at world leaders' funerals.

Tony Blair and Prince Charles attended the funerals of King Hussein in 1999, President Reagan in 2004 and Pope John Paul II in 2005.

ukp · 14/12/13 - 21:23

MargMck wrote: »

I wouldn't send my ancient Dad on a round trip like that. No one should expect such an elderly woman to do it, or her even older husband. They still attend a lot of events in the UK but it's been made clear that younger family members will do the long haul visits.

If she is too old to do her full duties then she should step aside and let someone younger do them. like King Gary Barlow

Archie Duke · 14/12/13 - 21:24

I was going to opine that The Queen never attends non family funerals, she always sends the Greek or Big Lugs but I believe she did attend Churchill's bash.

So I don't know the protocol why she attends some, but not others.

Hey there!

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Why does the Queen never attend funerals of other heads of state?

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