F2F Class Notes (Sonia)[R/S]

The United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her 70th wedding anniversary on Monday with her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen walked down the aisle as a 21-year-old princess on November 20, 1947. She is the first British monarch ever to celebrate a platinum wedding anniversary. She is also the UK’s longest-ever reigning monarch. The couple celebrated their special day with close family and friends at a small private party at one of their royal homes – Windsor Castle, west of London. They marked the occasion with the release of a set of official portraits. Britain’s post office has also celebrated the historic landmark with a special set of commemorative postage stamps.

The royal couple first met as teenagers during World War II. Prince Philip was the son of a Greek prince. He gave up his title to become a British citizen to marry the then Princess Elizabeth. Reports say that prior to the wedding, he told his future mother-in-law that he had, “fallen in love completely and unreservedly” with her daughter. He once stated that: “My job first, second and last, is never to let the Queen down.” The Queen has always relied on her husband, whom she described as her “rock”. Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal correspondent, explained that humor helped their longevity. She said: “A big part of what has kept them going over so many years is the fact they can share a joke together.”

having a monarch? 

it depends, I don’t think we need a monarch who controls everything and aspects of our lives, but I think a monarch has not much powers and they people are just be a symbol of the country. The people who can strengthen the loyalty to the country and keep the peace of the nation. Maybe in the middle east, like the king of the Qatar still has the decisive power of the country, he can made make the law of the country by himself instead of through the parliament.[puppets] I acknowledge that they haven’t got real power but they are not puppets because they can express their feeling and their thoughts for free.

Do you think it is fair that there are monarchs?

I think its fair based on two reasons the first is, though they sharehave the prosperity and symbol power they also have the obligations in many fields. Such as they must follow the traditional customs of the country and they haven’t the same freedom as ordinary people. Like when the president or Chairman visit the kingdom, the monarch must accept to see the person as a symbol. The second is, the status of the monarch was followed by formed by the historical traditions, so in history when people threw over the monarch in some countries, the outcome became more worst worse. For example, China overthrew the king in 1911 and the country split into different areas. The situation last for almost 40 years.

“the monarch must accept to see the person as a symbol.”– the monarch must be respectful, courteous

“because they can express their feeling and their thoughts for free.”

…. without consequence

“symbol power”-  are SYMBOLIC

Vocabulary

more advanced Conjunctions:

and: in addition to, furthermore

But: however, whilst

So: Therefore

aisle(n): the thin hallway between seats usually in a public space like a cinema, church, theatre

commemorate(v): to remember officially and give respect to a great person or event, especially by a public ceremony or by making a statue or special building

puppet(n): to mean someone has no power just for show

toy/doll that is controlled by a humans hand

e.g many people think that the president of North Korea is a puppet of America.

courteous(Adj): Although she often disagreed with me, she was always courteous.

e.gshe was still courteous to me even though she didn’t agree with my opinion

reputation(n): a persons image, the way people view them

e.g he want to leave a good reputation but he always makes chaos

Pronunciation

parliament: pɑː.lɪ.mənt/

Qatar: kʌt.ɑːr

Duke: dʒuːk

aisle:aɪl

monarch: mɒn.ək

commemorate: kəˈmem.ə.reɪt