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Queen Elizabeth left out of D-Day ceremonies.

techs

Lifer
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05...&scp=2&sq=queen&st=cse

Left Out of D-Day Events, Queen Elizabeth Is Fuming

Indeed, she is decidedly displeased, angry even, that she was not invited to join President Obama and France?s president, Nicolas Sarkozy, next week at commemorations of the 65th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, according to reports published in Britain?s mass-circulation tabloid newspapers on Wednesday. Pointedly, Buckingham Palace did not deny the reports.

The queen, who is 83, is the only living head of state who served in uniform during World War II. As Elizabeth Windsor, service number 230873, she volunteered as a subaltern in the Women?s Auxiliary Territorial Service, training as a driver and a mechanic. Eventually, she drove military trucks in support roles in England.

British veterans? groups demanded more backing for this year?s ceremonies on the grounds that only a handful of soldiers who fought in Normandy were likely to be alive at the 70th anniversary in 2014



I have no particular love for the Queen. But I am shocked over this. As the story points out, the next "big" anniversay, the 70th, will pretty much be devoid of vets, as the youngest would be like 88. And, it's highly likely even Elizabeth won't be there.
I suggest the Queen hold her own ceremony at the same time. Let's see who draws more veterans.


 
I'm kind of amused. It's not nice but it's a funny story. 😉

France got to come but not Queen Elizabeth? What the HECK?
 
Leaving Queen Elizabeth out of the ceremonies is unfair to say the least.

Of all the heads-of-state in Europe or the US, SHE is the only one who actually served...and most weren't even born yet.

I'm an American and I'm outraged at this.

(ok, maybe not outraged, but it still seems wrong as hell.)
 
oh dear a relic of an oligarchy that murdered millions who's extent of service was driving trucks on the mainland isn't getting treated like one of the world's heads of state?
 
The British PM is going to be there so it's not like England was told not to come or anything.
 
I know we in the US give the queen a lot of flak sometimes, but here I think she has every right to be angry given her service. Hell, I'm pretty irked about it myself considering her part in the war effort and her position.
 
If she wanted to attend the ceremonies, why didn't her government set it up? I am sure the other countries would not object to the Queen of England participating.
 
Originally posted by: MotF Bane
Originally posted by: BoomerD
Originally posted by: ZeGermans
"IN THE NAME OF THE QUEEN!" *kills hundreds of Argentinians*

Dude...no one gives a shit about the Falklands...or Argentinians.

Dude...no one gives a shit about what ZeGermans says. 😛

Exactly, it's like he's trying to challenge Phokus for the title of biggest douchebag on P&N.
 
I am not a fan of the Queen, or the brits either, but she is the nominal head of state of one of the main countries involved in WWII, She was personally involved, irrespective of what capacity - someone has to drive trucks in wartime - and I feel sorry that she is left out.

Reading the article it seems the main blame goes to the brits themselves - specifically their prime minister.

 
I had seen this link on the internet today, but to per say refer to the Queen as a head of State is iffy at best. But I can't blame the Queen for feeling miffed, but its somewhat unclear whose screw up this is. The invitation for Great Britain to participate went through normal diplomatic channels, and as far as I can see, the screw up in not inviting the Queen rests with the British PM Gordon Brown.

But in terms of Obama, the onus may be on him to find some way to repair the blunder in some way. Maybe he will cede Crawford Texas back to the British. Or maybe Kennebunkport.
 
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