Obama and Putin had an “informal conversation” lasting 10 to 15 minutes at a lunch for leaders in Normandy, France, Ben Rhodes, deputy White House national security adviser, said.

It was the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since the crisis in Ukraine erupted and follows months of escalating tension over Russia’s annexation of Crimea and support for separatists who continue to attack Ukrainian forces in the country’s east.

A possible cease-fire in fighting between Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian rebels will be discussed “in the coming days,” according to officials in French President Francois Hollande’s government.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2014-06-06/obama-putin-meet-1st-time-since-ukraine-crisis
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Red light reflected from the carpet illuminates Russian President Vladimir Putin as he passes U.S. President Barack Obama (C) and other leaders at a group photo for the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Benouville June 6, 2014.

Last edited Fri Jun 6, 2014, 10:17 PM - Edit history (1)

Russia lost so many on the eastern front of WW2. And the Queen being there, her head bowed, like Putin, appears to be a sign of respect.

I doubt some grasp how significant D-Day was, and how WW2 shaped the world of today. Most of what we see now is a response to never seeing another war like it and those who lived then have not forgotten. Despite the miserable wars since, they don't match WW2.

EDIT IN PROCESS.

The Queen, then princess, was in her teens during the war and volunteered for a women's auxiliary corp that performed many tasks that men would have ordinarily performed at that time. The Queen, IIRC, was a driver and learned some engine repair. If you search about the net, you will find pictures of her in her uniform.

Some younger children were sent to the countryside and even to Canada, but the Queen was old enough to contribute to the war effort and did.

World War II: The British Royal Family


Here King George's mother, the Queen Mother, stops to chat with the youngsters and nurses at the Queen Mary Home for Children of Soldiers' Families. The Queen Mother was on an inspection tour of various British Army Establishments in the south of England. The photograph was taken September 17, 1941. I am not sure just who the children were because the mothers and other relatives cared for most of the children of service people. Presumably these children had lost their mothers in the Blitz or for other reasons.

The royal family played an important and prominant part, particularly but not entirely on the home front. It did not begin well for the royal family. The affair with Mrs Simpson and the abdication of Edward VIII left the royal family in disarray. The modern, well spoken and personable Edward had been groomed for the throne. He was popular and well though of by the British public. His abdication was a great shock (1936). It was also a shock to his younger brother George who with wife and two daughters. George was quite happy with his quiet life as a naval officer.

Prince George had not been raised to rule. And his speaking voice was marred by a nervous stutter--hardly a voice to lead the nation in the greatest crisis of its history. King George VI did, however, rise to the occasion. His first major act as king was a state visit to the United States, the beginning of the Anglo-American relationship that would be the cornerstone of the Allied war effort. King George VI was only 3 years into his reign when war broke out (1939).

King George and Queen Elizabeth remained at Buckingham Palace throughout the War, even during the London Blitz. They sent Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret to the relative safety of Windsor Castle Buckingham Palace did suffer nine direct hits during the Blitz. King George and the Queen, often together, toured the areas hit by German bombs as well as the Londoners sheltering in bomb shelters. (This was something Hitler refused to do.) Their show of courage and concern was an inspiration for the British people.

The Queen Mother was also active. When German invasion threatened, Queen Elizabeth took pistol lessons. The King went abroad to visit his troops, in both France and North Africa. Perhaps his most moving visit was to Malta which had suffered an even heavier and protracted bombardment than London. One of the King's brothers, the Duke of Kent, was killed in the War.

Princess Elizabeth when she became of age insisted on entering the services and learned to drive ambulances and how to repair them. The VJ Day celebration centered on Buckingham Palace where the royal family appeared with Prime minister Churchill (1945).

http://www.histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/cou/eng/roy/w2e-rf.html

The Queen Elizabeth we commonly think of is married to Prince Phillip. I thought there were only two monarchs with the name Queen Elizabeth: the one of Shakespeare's day and the one now.

I'd always had a soft spot for her because she stayed with the people during the Blitz when she could have been off to safety. That is why I thought that going to D-Day had particular significance for her, remembering all of those deaths.

So how many Elizabeth's were there? If she stayed in London, it would be at Buckingham palace, no? And that piece says she was sent off to Windsor Castle, which I spent some time looking into the history of the place. It's mind boggling to Americans thinking of such permanence. We seem to be wanderers, really.

I don't have an official history of her life. So I'm still confused and would appreciate your input.

The CTers really hate her and all royals, the stories are really something, the Reptilian thing, etc. Latest thing is that she ordered snipers to shoot both sides in Kiev and the testing of a new weapon to take down Flight 370. Which would make her a bad old lady and I don't buy that stuff.

But I am always willing to examine my ideas and admit they are wrong, yet some things don't work.

TIA...

Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth was perhaps most admired for remaining in London at her husband's side with their children during the World War II German Blitz. The King was advised to evacuate his family, especially the two princesses. The Queen reportedly scoffed at the idea and is best known for her explanation as to why they did not. She explained that her girls would not leave without her and she would not leave without the king, adding with emphasis and "the king will never leave". When German invasion threatened, Queen Elizabeth took pistol lessons. King George and Queen Elizabeth remained at Buckingham Palace throughout the War, even during the London Blitz. Buckingham Palace did suffer nine direct hits during the Blitz.

King George and the Queen, often together, toured the areas hit by German bombs as well as the Londoners sheltering in bomb shelters. (This was something Hitler refused to do.) Their show of courage and concern was an inspiration for the British people. She and her husband would visit bombed out areas of London talking with compassion to those who had lost family members and their homes. As she picked her way through the rubble, she was always immaculately dresses. The King and Queen were particularly concerned with the heavily bombed East End--an industrial area with much working-class housing. She is reported to have said after Buckingham Palace had been hit in the bombing, "Now I feel I can look look the East End in the face." She also was a request visitor to hospitals. Her heart also went out to the French people after the German occupation in 1940. She delivered radio broadcasts in fluent French to the women of Britain's defeated ally. Prime Minister Churchill came to consider both the King and Queen as key allies, and eventually friends, in the fight against the NAZIs. Through the War, the Queen and King made extensive public appearances throughout Britain to help maintain morale on the Home Front.

Queen Mother Mary

It says nothing.

Princess Elizabeth

The King and Queen sent Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret to the relative safety of Windsor Castle. Princess Elizabeth when she became of age insisted on entering the services and learned to drive ambulances and how to repair them. The British people admired the plucky teenage princess who drove an ambulance and maintained the engine.

Princess Margaret

Well, it says nothing.

Prince Phillip

Prince Phillip was not yet a member of the royal family. He was, however, eminently familiar with the NAZIs in the way royal family members could not be. Phillip was a school boy in Germany when Hitler seized power (1933). And at a very young age rejected the NAZIs and came to Britain to grow up with the British side of the family. His sisters remained in Germany.

Prince Philip immediately after leaving Gordonstoun, joined the Royal Navy (1939). It was precisely at this time that Princess Elizabeth who was only 13 yeats old, met her third cousin Prince Philip. I'm not entirely sure what Philip made of this first meeting. Princess Elizabeth made a good deal of it. It was apparently love at first sight for her. Philip seems to have "showed off a good deal" while playing tennis. One account says she "never took her eyes off him." [Crawford] Throughout the War, Elizabeth was devoted to the young man who she began calling "my Viking prince". They began exchanging letters while he was at sea.

The year 1939 was of course not only a fateful year for romance, but also for the Royal Navy. Philip graduated from the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth (1940). He was ranked the best best cadet in his course. He was commissioned as a Midshipman. His first assignment was on the battleship HMS Ramillies where he spent 6 months. He then spent some time in the Indian Ocean. He was next posed on the battleship HMS Valiant in the Mediterranean. The fall of France (June 1940) had turned the Mediterranean into the hottest front for the Royal Navy. A series of sharp engagements followed with the modern, fast Italian Navy. Philip was involved in several of the major engagements of the Mediterranean. He participated in the Battle of Crete in which the British suffered another defeat when German paratroopers managed to take the island. Philip was named in dispatches for his service during the critical Battle of Cape Matapan. He was awarded the Greek War Cross of Valour.

Philip was promoted Sub-Lieutenant and took courses to prepare for his next assignment, the V&W class destroyer, flotilla leader . He thus was primarily involved in escorting Atlantic convoys. Rapid promotions followed: Lieutenant (July 1942) and First Lieutenant (October 1942). While still with HMS Wallace,he was back in the Mediterranean, supporting the Allied invasion of Sicily (July 1943). Prince Philip's last World war II assignment was the new destroyer HMS Whelp where he saw service in the Pacific. He was present in Tokyo Bay when the Japanese surrendered. He returned to Britain with the ship (January 1946).

http://www.histclo.com/essay/war/ww2/cou/eng/roy/w2e-rf.html

CTers say this German schooling meant the royal families were Nazis and that the war was a game between people who agreed on just about everything and a sham.

I don't buy all of that, but still think in an American fashion that royalty is not a good thing. The history of Europe all at once both fascinates and repels me.

if you see what I mean.

Queen Elizabeth I (Shakespearean era Monarch, head of state)
Queen Elizabeth (wife of King George, WWII era monarch)
Queen Elizabeth II (current British Monarch, head of state, crowned in 1952)

Small person - sort on both height and brains. Only known friend is Snow White.

And it's gone downhill from there. But he's gotten this far so he might still pull it out come 2017 ....

http://www.englishblog.com/2014/01/cartoon-ridiculous-non.html

i always say it like Fransoyz Hallandy.

well into his second decade of (re)creating a totalitarian society