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AIBU?

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AIBU in thinking that King Charles' passing will devastate Britain?

781 replies

monrymeadows73 · 07/12/2025 10:28

If you remember back when Queen Elizabeth II died, how upset most British people were and how it caused some social insecurity as many British people saw her as a sense of strength and a rock due to her continuity and longevity, but with her gone, they weren't sure how Britain would fare. Hence, the large crowds of mourners and a lot of upset.

King Charles III - though not as admired as Queen Elizabeth was - also has longevity and a sense of continuity in a different way: not as monarch since he's only been in the role for three years, but as a royal figure, i.e. he has been in the spotlight since the 1940s and conducting royal duties since the 1960s. When he dies, will Britain finally feel as though the older generation of royals - who for so long have provided reassurance and comfort to the British people - have gone?

Will this lead to a lot of soul-searching about where next Britain must go and perhaps cause social tensions due to the insecurity of identity? Who will the British look to to guide the nation from then on? Who will be their new rock?

OP posts:
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VanessaSanessa · 08/12/2025 12:07

Ah this thread is a breath of fresh air to my Republican heart. Good to see the majority of people are capable of critically thinking about this lazy bunch of twats.

WhatAreYouDoingSundayBaby · 08/12/2025 12:01

I think it would be very sad, but also think that - likely due to his cancer - King Charles hasn't been very visible for most of his reign so far and so he doesn't feel like the same ubiquitous presence as the Queen did.

Also obviously her reign was unique in length and she was ever-present for a lot of us. Clearly that can't possibly be the case with King Charles due to his age when he ascended the throne, though I very much hope he has many years to come.

StrikeForever · 08/12/2025 11:44

CurlewKate · 08/12/2025 04:50

People are always saying the King and Princess Ann work so hard/are workaholics. Can anyone provide actual evidence of this? Three engagements a day isn’t evidence, unless you can show they aren’t brief phone calls or an audience that lasts 15 minutes.

It’s not a 5 day week either. The Queen worked 3 days a week, for 3 months of the year 🤷‍♀️ I doubt the rest work much more.

lifeonmars100 · 08/12/2025 11:29

Onbdy · 08/12/2025 00:26

@monrymeadows73
If you remember back when Queen Elizabeth II died, how upset most British people were and how it caused some social insecurity as many British people saw her as a sense of strength and a rock due to her continuity and longevity, but with her gone, they weren't sure how Britain would fare.

‘Most’ people were upset?
I must have missed this! 🤷‍♀️😂 Most people didn’t give a fuck. If I remember correctly there were a record number of complaints to the BBC about the relentless coverage of her death and funeral. The royals are an absolute laughing stock and are becoming increasingly irrelevant in today’s society. I‘m sure there will be the usual nut jobs queueing to see a body of a man they didn’t know, hysterically crying over the death of a person they’ve never met. They will definitely be in the minority though and to think it will be ‘most people’ is batshit!

One thing that really got me was the way people kept referring to it as a hugely important historical event, why? we all die and this includes the so called royals and when the boss one goes there is another one lined up ready to keep the gravy train rolling. Historical events are wars (sadly) the overthrow of governments, the introduction of laws that enhance social progress or inflict social opression not the funeral of someone who happened to be be born into vast wealth and privilege

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 08/12/2025 11:28

This is absolutely true. We can't know that somebody whose whole job is in top-level PR is actually like that in private. How would we?

Do people think that Anthony Hopkins is a cannibal in real life - just because they saw 'him' publicly exposed as one on the screen?!

By contrast, there's a certain very popular comedy writer/performer who plays loveable rogue characters on screen but is widely known as very unpleasant indeed in real life.

Why ever would being rich and famous automatically make somebody kind, wise, beautiful or of impeccable moral character? Yet, for some reason, these characteristics are very regularly ascribed to them without any justification apart from happening to be wealthy and immensely well-known. I rather think that a former prince relied very heavily on these assumptions and took enormous advantage of them.

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 08/12/2025 11:22

ChloeMorningstar · 08/12/2025 10:19

William and Kate are good people. William is a chip off the old block in terms of his mother. And their kids are adorable too.

And you know this how? We don't know these people, we only know what they and the media choose to share. We also didnt know his mother.

This is absolutely true. We can't know that somebody whose whole job is in top-level PR is actually like that in private. How would we?

Do people think that Anthony Hopkins is a cannibal in real life - just because they saw him publicly exposed as one on the screen?!

By contrast, there's a certain very popular comedy writer/performer who plays loveable rogue characters on screen but is widely known as very unpleasant indeed in real life.

Why ever would being rich and famous automatically make somebody kind, wise, beautiful or of impeccable moral character? Yet, for some reason, these characteristics are very regularly ascribed to them without any justification apart from happening to be wealthy and immensely well-known. I rather think that a former prince relied very heavily on these assumptions and took enormous advantage of them.

jumpingthehighjump · 08/12/2025 11:18

ChloeMorningstar · 08/12/2025 10:19

William and Kate are good people. William is a chip off the old block in terms of his mother. And their kids are adorable too.

And you know this how? We don't know these people, we only know what they and the media choose to share. We also didnt know his mother.

But his mother used a tupperware for her cornflakes, c'mon 😂

We have no idea what William is like, we only have the titbits their PR machine puts out! He could be nice, he could be horrible, who knows

LidlAmaretto · 08/12/2025 11:13

IsawwhatIsaw · 08/12/2025 10:07

And how he and the late Queen kept millions in offshore trusts investing in dodgy companies.
And how they both allegedly lobbied government ministers for tax advantages for their huge estates.

They lobby and get the tax advantages and legislative exemptions from all governments. Parliament is meant to act as a check on the power of the Monarch. The first Charles learnt that the hard way. Yet our Parliament just collectively tugs their forelock and does their bidding. Even if we still had a Monarchy, we don't have to have this ridiculous obsequiousness / especially by our elected representatives.

BitOutOfPractice · 08/12/2025 11:02

justpassmethemouse · 07/12/2025 21:30

As far as rocks go, I’d rather have The Rock in charge. Or just any rock from the beach, it’d be cheaper.

I’d Vote for The Rock. He seems like a nice enough fella.

your post really made me smile on a very dreary Monday. Thank you.

ChloeMorningstar · 08/12/2025 10:19

PeriMumEndofHerTether · 07/12/2025 20:25

I think the country will sigh a breath of relief. I was born late 70s and the Queen was already elderly then. Then Charlie has been through scandal after scandal and is going to die soon.

I think everyone will say "the king is dead, long live the King!" Because whatever you think about the monarchy, William and Kate are good people. William is a chip off the old block in terms of his mother. And their kids are adorable too.

I think if it was anyone else who was next in line to the throne, the monarchy would be finished. But seeing as Wills and Kare are next up, I think we will be living in a Golden Age of the Monarchy. They are young, intelligent and wise people.

I wish the well.

William and Kate are good people. William is a chip off the old block in terms of his mother. And their kids are adorable too.

And you know this how? We don't know these people, we only know what they and the media choose to share. We also didnt know his mother.

SerendipityJane · 08/12/2025 10:10

IsawwhatIsaw · 08/12/2025 10:07

And how he and the late Queen kept millions in offshore trusts investing in dodgy companies.
And how they both allegedly lobbied government ministers for tax advantages for their huge estates.

The Queen was most concerned that Brexit wouldn't hurt her little nest egg. Quite a few tweaks around horse racing. Quietly reported in Private Eye.

But, hey, "we're all in it together" eh ?

IsawwhatIsaw · 08/12/2025 10:07

Gribouille · 08/12/2025 09:56

I'll never forget how rich he was... 🥺

And how he and the late Queen kept millions in offshore trusts investing in dodgy companies.
And how they both allegedly lobbied government ministers for tax advantages for their huge estates.

PangaBanga · 08/12/2025 10:00

Paul Burrell will be the rock, obviously.

SerendipityJane · 08/12/2025 09:58

CurlewKate · 08/12/2025 08:50

In what way was she different?

Edited

Not necessarily guaranteed.

Remember how niggardly they were over an extra day for the Jubilee ? Another bank holiday etc ?

Why should employers subsidise the monarchy ? That's the taxpayers job.

Punkerplus · 08/12/2025 09:57

SheilaFentiman · 08/12/2025 07:38

You again, OP?

Yes YABU. “Elderly man dies” is not going devastate the country.

This. I wasn't devastated when the Queen died, I can imagine I'll be even less bothered when the King died too.

Gribouille · 08/12/2025 09:56

I'll never forget how rich he was... 🥺

brunettemic · 08/12/2025 09:52

The only thought that will cross my mind is…extra day off work?

Barnbrack · 08/12/2025 09:48

Hahahahahha

I..

Hahahaha

You're kidding right? That bumbling, sausage fingered buffoon who wouldn't know a moral compass or a days work if they hit him the head?

Hahahaahahahhahaha

That's funny.

SerendipityJane · 08/12/2025 09:46

94%: YABU

Bodes well for moving peacefully into some form of republic.

SeaAndStars · 08/12/2025 09:30

Pedallleur · 07/12/2025 19:25

It isn't. The DoE award scheme, how many of the Duke of Edinburghs children/grand and possibly great grandchildren have done or will ever do it. The name is just something to go on the letterhead. The current DoE has never done it either

Edited

The current Duke of Edinburgh achieved his gold Duke of Edinburgh award.

CurlewKate · 08/12/2025 08:50

PersephoneParlormaid · 08/12/2025 07:10

He is of no consequence to me. His mother was different.

In what way was she different?

Witheringlights · 08/12/2025 08:00

SheilaFentiman · 08/12/2025 07:38

You again, OP?

Yes YABU. “Elderly man dies” is not going devastate the country.

At least we are getting a wider variety of more balanced replies on AIBU than is usual on this subject! 😀

* Edited : the subject of the RF that is!

SheilaFentiman · 08/12/2025 07:38

You again, OP?

Yes YABU. “Elderly man dies” is not going devastate the country.

Upsetbetty · 08/12/2025 07:32

monrymeadows73 · 07/12/2025 11:17

Isn't that just because you're an Irish nationalist?

Why do you reply to this post and none of the others @monrymeadows73? No one gives a shit. Irish nationalist or not!

BennyHenny · 08/12/2025 07:28

sprigatito · 07/12/2025 10:31

Eh? I couldn’t give two tugs of a dead dog’s cock about any of them. Inbred parasitical dimwits.

You sound unsure about your feelings on this topic 😂 but I agree with the sentiment!