The Queen

[Caran]

Does the Queen have any say in what she does or who she has to meet or dine with? What would happen if she stamped her foot and said I won't do that?
Is there anyone who could force her to do something?

[Jeza]

I think not Caran, it's called protocol.

[craft1948]

I remember Charles ducking out of a state banquet for the president (or whatever he is) of China.............

[anneasquith]

I doubt she has much say in who she meets or dines with, its the governments decision who a state banquet is given for, like the one tonight,

[Caran]

But can she be forced to do something she doesn't want to do?

[anneasquith]

its her job,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i don't know if /why she would refuse.

[seekeerz]

No !

[craft1948]

Yes I think she can Caran. When she visited Eire I shouldn't imagine she was keen on shaking hands with people who may have had something to do with blowing up her husband's uncle.

[seekeerz]

Sorry, two part question, answer yes and no

[ummmm]

Of course she can refuse. What are they going to do, sack her?

[sandyRoe]

The food she had while hosting a State Banquet for Ceausescu of Romania must have stuck in her throat.

[tamborine]

Yes, what d'ya think Camillas there for ;)

[anneasquith]

well sandy, if you note some of the above answers,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,she could have refused.

[craft1948]

And if you note some of the other answers she couldn't...........

[jno]

she did meet McGuinness

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/queen-elizabeth-II/9359082/Queen-forced-to-put-aside-IRA-murder-of-Lord-Mountbatten-to-meet-McGuinness.html

Part of the job, I expect. If there's anyone she does refuse to meet, don't expect to hear about it.

[ummmm]

They'd just pretend she was ill and send someone in her place...

[sandyRoe]

If she really didn't want to meet someone she could say she was ill and have Charles attend in her place. But she's got her head screwed on and knows that unpalatable meetings, with former IRA leader Martin McGuinness for example, can lead to good outcomes.

[jno]

eg Prince George.

But if it's warriors with tattooed butts, Kate has volunteered.

[starone]

Her days are planned for her and she has no choice when it comes to the political side of her life. She is still allowed a private life, however, but even in this aspect she is expected to be a paragon of the virtues and to behave in a way that will provide an example for her country. Pity her children and grandchildren have not done the same. If she has done anything out of the ordinary it has certainly been kept very quiet. This is the reason I never envy her. At least I can lead my own life in my own way.

[Peter Pedant]

George V [ uncharacteristically ] said he didnt want to sign a treaty with his cousins' murderers and so the Prime minister said Oh that is OK I will do it and that is why the PM signs treaties now and not the monarch
whoops !

so they tend not to put their feets down....

[anneasquith]

jno...............I don't think you should rely on kate,,,,,, a secret source says , she has been in discussions with richard branson !!!!!!!!!!!