Bookies suspend betting on Queen announcing abdication in Christmas broadcast

[Blackleaf]

The bookmaker Coral has suspended betting on the Queen announcing her abdication in this year's Christmas Day broadcast.

The betting firm said it had decided to close the market after an "unusual" rash of wagers which "instantly set alarm bells ringing".

It had offered odds of 10-1 on the Queen abdicating during the Christmas message.

Sources close to the Queen, however, laughed off suggestions that she might abdicate, saying it was "just not true".

A Royal source told the Telegraph: "If the Queen was going to make a major announcement, she wouldn't do it in a pre-recorded speech that is shown in the South Pacific Commonwealth realms several hours before it is shown here.

"It would mean the end of her reign would officially be announced in Tuvalu, rather than in London. So no, it's not true."

The Queen's Christmas broadcast is shown every Christmas Day in all of the 16 countries of which she is Head of State. In Britain it is traditionally shown at 3pm.

William Hill slashed the odds on the Queen's speech being the most watched TV programme on Christmas Day from 100/1 to 7/1 and cut the odds on an abdication announcement this year from 16/1 to 5/1.

Bookies suspend betting on Queen announcing abdication in Christmas broadcast

Coral said it had decided to close its book on the Queen abdicating after a rash of bets in the past 24 hours, but Buckingham Palace laughs off rumour

Bookies have suspended betting on the Queen, pictured making last year's Christmas broadcast, abdicating in this year's speech to the nation. This year's Queen's speech could be the most-watched programme on TV in Britain on Christmas Day Photo: PA


By Gordon Rayner, Chief Reporter
17 Dec 2014
The Telegraph

The bookmaker Coral has suspended betting on the Queen announcing her abdication in this year's Christmas Day broadcast.

The betting firm said it had decided to close the market after an "unusual" rash of wagers which "instantly set alarm bells ringing".

Sources close to the Queen, however, laughed off suggestions that she might abdicate, saying it was "just not true".

At about midday today, Coral had several online inquiries for the odds it would offer on the Queen abdicating in her Christmas message. It began with a £200 bet, followed by several smaller bets in quick succession.

The bookmaker said the queries were "so specific" and so close together that it smelled a rat.

It had offered odds of 10-1 on the Queen abdicating during the Christmas message.

The speech to the nation has already been pre-recorded by the BBC, leading to suspicions that people with inside knowledge, either from Buckingham Palace or the TV camera crew, might have acted on leaked information.

Nicola McGeady, a spokesman for Coral, said: "Throughout the year there has been major speculation about the Queen’s future but today’s gamble has really caught us by surprise.

“As far as we are concerned there’s no smoke without fire when bets like this come through all in succession, so we have decided to be safe rather than sorry and pull the plug on the market."

A Royal source told the Telegraph: "If the Queen was going to make a major announcement, she wouldn't do it in a pre-recorded speech that is shown in the South Pacific Commonwealth realms several hours before it is shown here.

"It would mean the end of her reign would officially be announced in Tuvalu, rather than in London. So no, it's not true."

It is not the first time Coral has suspended betting on the Queen abdicating. In January it temporarily closed the market after a £200 wager was placed in Windsor on a 2014 abdication, which followed reports that the Prince of Wales was taking on more of her duties.

Meanwhile William Hill slashed the odds on the Queen's speech being the most watched TV programme on Christmas Day from 100/1 to 7/1 and cut the odds on an abdication announcement this year from 16/1 to 5/1.

Bookies suspend betting on Queen announcing abdication in Christmas broadcast - Telegraph

 

[Corduroy]

Seems unlikely that the Queen would ever abdicate. Any duties she can't perform as she gets older can be delegated to Charles or William. No one really cares if they do. And if the Queen's a figurehead for conservative tradition and continuity what better symbol than an elderly person hanging on until the bitter end. That's England, really.

Also those people betting are utter fools. She's one year shy of beating Victoria's record. You think she'd abdicate THIS year?

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

In other news: Kim Kardashian Still Dumber'n A Stump.

 

[Corduroy]

Kim Kardashian seems to be a pretty saavy businesswoman. She created a media empire based around people gawking at her vapid family. Whereas the British monarchy created a world empire based around murder, theft and oppression, and people gawking at their vapid family. I'd vote Queen Kim.

 

[Tecumsehsbones]

Kim Kardashian seems to be a pretty saavy businesswoman. She created a media empire based around people gawking at her vapid family. Whereas the British monarchy created a world empire based around murder, theft and oppression, and people gawking at their vapid family. I'd vote Queen Kim.

Be less annoying and way funnier, I'll give you that.

You're right, of course. I've often observed that Julius Caesar, Tutankhamen, Alexander, and Queen Vic would lose bowel control if they could see the size and reach of the empire that is FIFA. And like KK, it's all voluntary.

 

[Blackleaf]

Seems unlikely that the Queen would ever abdicate. Any duties she can't perform as she gets older can be delegated to Charles or William.

This is what Princess Elizabeth said in her 21st birthday speech on 21st April 1947:

If we all go forward together with an unwavering faith, a high courage, and a quiet heart, we shall be able to make of this ancient commonwealth, which we all love so dearly, an even grander thing - more free, more prosperous, more happy and a more powerful influence for good in the world - than it has been in the greatest days of our forefathers.

To accomplish that we must give nothing less than the whole of ourselves. There is a motto which has been borne by many of my ancestors - a noble motto, "I serve". Those words were an inspiration to many bygone heirs to the Throne when they made their knightly dedication as they came to manhood. I cannot do quite as they did.

But through the inventions of science I can do what was not possible for any of them. I can make my solemn act of dedication with a whole Empire listening. I should like to make that dedication now. It is very simple.

I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.

But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.

So if the Queen goes through with that promise then she will not abdicate and will country to serve her countries and her peoples for the rest of her life.

However, I'm not so sure. This morning, on The Wright Stuff on Channel 5, the host Matthew Wright thinks there may be some truth in the abdication rumours.

That's England, really.

Her Majesty isn't the Head of State of England. She's the Head of State of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and twelve other countries.

Also those people betting are utter fools. She's one year shy of beating Victoria's record. You think she'd abdicate THIS year?

ARE they utter fools? There's a reason that this unusual betting took place which caused bookies to suspend betting.

The Queen has already recorded her Christmas speech and, if it is the case that she has announced her abdication in it, then the camera crew who filmed the speech will know about it. This means that at some point afterwards they have gone into the bookies and placed bets on the Queen abdicating (you'd be daft not to). They've probably also told their families about it and maybe a few mates and neighbours and, in turn, they've all nipped off to the local Coral and placed bets on the Queen's abdication, knowing that she is about to announce it in her Christmas speech. There's a reason this unusual betting activity took place in the bookies and that is probably the reason.

Also, parts or all of the Queen's Christmas speech does get leaked from time to time. The Sun newspaper once got under fire for leaking details about the Queen's Christmas speech. It could well be the case that the Queen has announced her abdication in her Christmas speech and that parts, or all, of the speech have been leaked to certain people and it is they who are responsible for the unusual betting which took place in the bookies.

It seems there could well be something in the rumours.

Also those people betting are utter fools. She's one year shy of beating Victoria's record. You think she'd abdicate THIS year?

Matthew Wright on The Wright Stuff said this morning that he believes that if the Queen is to announce her abdication in her Christmas speech then she probably won't go straight away but she'll leave it until 9th September 2015 at the earliest, the date she overtakes her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria to become Britain's longest-serving monarch.

 

[Blackleaf]

BREAKING NEWS: The Queen has NOT announced her abdication in her Christmas speech.

The Queen revealed how she was stunned into silence as she walked among the sea of poppies commemorating those who died in the First World War.

In her annual Christmas message, the monarch said healing differences in Scotland after a divisive referendum would take time and remembered the Christmas truce with German troops in 1914.

Wearing a purple dress with a diamond and pearl brooch, she said she felt the 'only possible reaction' to walking among the 888,246 red ceramic poppies at the Tower of London was 'silence'.

'The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction to walking among them was silence,' she said in her message, recorded at Buckingham Palace.

'For every poppy, a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.'

'No one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.'

As the theme of this year's speech was reconciliation, the Queen remembered the 'remarkable' unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front exactly a hundred years ago today.

'Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met in No Man's Land. Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged. It was a Christmas truce.

'Truces are not a new idea. In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold.

'Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord. But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power in the hearts of men and women.

'On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914 many of the German forces sang Silent Night, its haunting melody inching across the line.

'That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.'

Queen reveals she was stunned into silence as she walked among the poppies at the Tower of London that marked the First World War centenary

Queen revealed how she walked among the sea of poppies in silence
She said it was the 'only possible reaction' to the WW1 memorial
Monarch remembered the Christmas truce with German troops in 1914
She also praised medics fighting Ebola in her annual Christmas speech
The theme for this year's address to the nation was 'reconciliation'
She said healing differences in Scotland after referendum would take time
Queen wore purple dress by Angela Kelly and a diamond and pearl brooch
Channel 4's alternative message given by Ebola survivor William Pooley

By Lucy Crossley for MailOnline and Jenny Awford for MailOnline
25 December 2014

The Queen revealed how she was stunned into silence as she walked among the sea of poppies commemorating those who died in the First World War.

In her annual Christmas message, the monarch said healing differences in Scotland after a divisive referendum would take time and remembered the Christmas truce with German troops in 1914.

Wearing a purple dress with a diamond and pearl brooch, she said she felt the 'only possible reaction' to walking among the 888,246 red ceramic poppies at the Tower of London was 'silence'.

The Queen looked sombre as she inspected the display in October, which included one flower for every British or Commonwealth soldier killed to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the conflict.

The Queen revealed how she was stunned into silence as she walked among the sea of poppies at the memorial commemorating those who died in the First World War

'The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction to walking among them was silence,' she said in her message, recorded at Buckingham Palace.

'For every poppy, a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.'

'No one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.'

As the theme of this year's speech was reconciliation, the Queen remembered the 'remarkable' unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front exactly a hundred years ago today.

'Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met in No Man's Land. Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged. It was a Christmas truce.

She will also say how she has been 'deeply touched' by the 'selflessness' of medical staff fighting Ebola in her traditional Christmas message

'Truces are not a new idea. In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold.

'Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord. But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power in the hearts of men and women.

'On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914 many of the German forces sang Silent Night, its haunting melody inching across the line.

'That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.'

In her review of the year, the Queen also said how she has been 'deeply touched' by the 'selflessness' of medical staff fighting Ebola.

The UK is one of a number of nations that has seen its doctors and nurses volunteer to help countries such as Sierra Leone in West Africa combat the epidemic.

QUEEN SAYS 'BRIDGING THE DIFFERENCES' IN SCOTLAND AFTER REFERENDUM THAT ALMOST SPLIT UNITED KINGDOM WILL TAKE TIME

Healing differences in Scotland after a divisive referendum that came close to splitting the United Kingdom will take time, Queen Elizabeth II said in her annual Christmas broadcast.

In a speech dedicated to the theme of reconciliation, the queen also celebrated progress towards peace in Northern Ireland, after a broad deal was signed by rival parties this week.

She acknowledged differences of opinion in Scotland after a September vote in which 45 per cent voted to become independent while 55 per cent voted to remain within it.

'In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment while others felt great relief, and bridging these differences will take time,' the 88-year-old queen said.

She said that sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as seen in Glasgow when more than 70 countries took part in the Commonwealth Games.

'It is no accident that they are known as the Friendly Games. As well as promoting dialogue between nations, the Commonwealth Games pioneered the inclusion of para-sports within each day's event,' she said.

The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visited Blood Swept Lands And Seas Of Red in October, and walked through the art installation created by ceramic artist Paul Cummins

The theme of this year's speech, which comes after a busy year for the Royal Family, is reconciliation

Today, the Queen praised medics fighting the epidemic, as well as those working to provide humanitarian relief in warzones.

She said: 'Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk.'

Dressed in a purple dress by Angela Kelly with a brooch inherited from her grandmother, Queen Mary, the Queen recorded her Christmas message seated next to a table featuring separate photographs of her grandparents George V and Queen Mary and an embossed brass box.

The box was a Christmas Day gift for those serving overseas in the First World War during 1914.

It was organised by the Sailors & Soldiers Christmas Fund created by Princess Mary, George's daughter. It was filled with a variety of gifts, from tobacco for smokers to chocolate for nurses.

In her speech, the Queen said Christ's example taught her to 'respect and value all people of whatever faith or none'.

The Christmas address is written by the Queen herself and usually has a strong religious framework, as she reflects current issues and draws on her own experiences over the past year.

The Queen was joined by other members of the royal family today for the traditional service on the Sandringham estate, in Norfolk

Her speech is one of the rare occasions when she does not turn to the Government for advice but is able to voice her own views.

The Queen's traditional message was produced this year by the BBC and recorded in Buckingham Palace's state dining room, using 4K ultra-high-definition digital TV cameras.

As well as being transmitted on both television and radio, the speech will also be shown on the Royal Channel on YouTube, and in Commonwealth countries.

She began by talking about a sculpture by Josefina de Vasconcellos - in the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral - of a man and woman embracing called ‘Reconciliation’, the theme of her Christmas broadcast.

Channel Four's Alternative Christmas Message focused on Ebola, with British survivor William Pooley calling for a global solution to the epidemic.

The 29-year-old nurse from Suffolk became the first Briton to be evacuated from west Africa with the deadly disease and famously returned to work in Sierra Leone after making a full recovery.

In his message, he said Ebola is unlike any other disease he has ever witnessed and said thousands have died 'lonely, miserable deaths' without access to proper medical attention.

Mr Pooley followed in the footsteps of more controversial choices Edward Snowden, Ali G, and Sharon Osbourne in delivering Channel Four's answer to the Queen's message to the nation.

The Queen paid tribute to the moment German and British soldiers put down their weapons and met on Christmas Day 1914

She remembered her trip to Belfast in June when her tour of the set of Game Of Thrones attracted attention

A FULL TRANSCRIPT OF THE QUEEN'S CHRISTMAS SPEECH

In the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral is a sculpture of a man and a woman reaching out to embrace each other. The sculptor was inspired by the story of a woman who crossed Europe on foot after the war to find her husband.

Casts of the same sculpture can be found in Belfast and Berlin, and it is simply called Reconciliation.

Reconciliation is the peaceful end to conflict, and we were reminded of this in August when countries on both sides of the First World War came together to remember in peace.

The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction to seeing them and walking among them was silence. For every poppy a life; and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.

No one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.

In 1914, many people thought the war would be over by Christmas, but sadly by then the trenches were dug and the future shape of the war in Europe was set.

But, as we know, something remarkable did happen that Christmas, exactly a hundred years ago today.

Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met in No Man's Land. Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged. It was a Christmas truce.

Truces are not a new idea. In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold.

Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as we saw this year in Glasgow when over 70 countries took part in the Commonwealth Games.

It is no accident that they are known as the Friendly Games. As well as promoting dialogue between nations, the Commonwealth Games pioneered the inclusion of para-sports within each day's events.

As with the Invictus Games that followed, the courage, determination and talent of the athletes captured our imagination as well as breaking down divisions.

The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June. While my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind.

What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose; a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the couple in the sculpture.

Of course, reconciliation takes different forms. In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief; and bridging these differences will take time.

Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk.

For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.

A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing.

Christ's example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.

Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord. But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power in the hearts of men and women.

On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914 many of the German forces sang Silent Night, its haunting melody inching across the line.

That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.

A very happy Christmas to you all.

Read more: Queen's Christmas message will reveal she was stunned into silence at Tower of London poppy memorial | Daily Mail Online
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[taxslave]

Is Queen still making music?

 

[Colpy]

The tradition is that the Monarch serves until death.

The Queen has been a stalwart supporter of tradition, and has insisted on doing her duty.

She will not step down.

 

[Sal]

The tradition is that the Monarch serves until death.

The Queen has been a stalwart supporter of tradition, and has insisted on doing her duty.

She will not step down.

so did the pope until he did

 

[DaSleeper]

There was not only one but three resigned....

 

[WLDB]

I wish I had known people bet over this. I could have made a fortune.

Is Queen still making music?

Yep.

Press Release: Queen Forever

 

[Blackleaf]

so did the pope until he did

If my calculations are correct only three British monarchs have abdicated since 1066, the most recent being Edward VIII in 1936.

Sorry we didn't bring 'noisy' George! Pregnant Kate's apology to well-wishers as she, William and the Queen lead the Royal Family to the traditional Christmas Day church service at Sandringham



The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived hand-in-hand for the traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on the Sandringham estate, Norfolk (right). After the service, Prince Harry stopped to speak to well-wishers who had queued for hours, while Kate, dressed in a demure brown coat, beamed as she was handed a number of bouquets. After wrapping up warmly in a brown fur coat this morning, the Queen stepped out in a festive fuchsia coat and raspberry dress for the service. They were joined by other members of the Royal Family and Kate's siblings, Pippa and James, and parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

Christmas cheer: The Duchess of Cambridge smiled with Prince William outside church and had her hands full with bouquets of flowers

Prince William, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry leave the church after attending the traditional Christmas Day service. In the background is William and Harry's cousin, Princess Beatrice

Prince Harry took a shining to a little terrier named Pixie, who was dressed in a patriotic-coloured knitted coat

Little touches: The Queen completed her bright ensemble with two raspberry-coloured feathers on her hat, and delicate silver broach

The Queen and Prince Philip's youngest child Prince Edward attended with his 11-year-old daughter, Lady Louise Windsor, tenth in line to the throne

Candid: The Duchess of Cambridge (right) told one well-wisher that Prince George was too loud to be brought to the church service

Read more: Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William arrive without Prince George for Sandringham service | Daily Mail Online
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