How to diplomatically decline coronation events

[BansheeofInisherin]

I am in a social group which is organising an event at the Coronation. I am rather fervently anti-royalist. Some of them are very pro-royalist, which is their business. Is there a polite way to decline without fibbing or offending others? Can I just say briefly," Sorry, that's not my thing." They already know I am not travelling as I committed to the group before I realised they were doing a coronation event.

I agree with this so much. I'm white too and it's patently not the same for me in so many aspects. I know that and even if I'm not totally aware, I can fully understand that somebody who isn't white, feels very differently.

I don't understand the dismissive and pointed posts to the OP but I think they were shitty.

I think you should be able to simply say that's not my thing as you might want to do for anything else eg being invited to a musical if you can't stand them. Some people will be funny about the reason and that's on them. It is probably just easier to say you have other plans though.

People have varied opinions on this, I guess, judging by responses.

I should have said that it's not a party; it's a choir and we will be singing several songs in praise of the King.! So yes, I am just going to say that I will be busy with other stuff.

"Thanks but no thanks - its not my thing. But enjoy your day."

No need to over think this.

If the Royal Family started paying tax like other people have to or starting retuning land etc to the people of the UK then I might celebrate. Charles only pays (some) income tax by 'choice'. Even the Queen was happy to go along with legislation that would preserve the wealth of the monarchy.

They are truly awful greedy people. I don't know how they have the nerve to show their faces in public much less to pretend to be sympathetic to those who are struggling.

They didn't even pay for the Queens funeral despite Charles inheriting millions and millions from her.

They have NO sense of public duty at all.

yeah, big difference between being part of a choir singing pro monarchy songs and shuffling about with your neighbours nibbling on some sausage rolls.

Totally agree @RestingRulers . We will never have a classless society as long as we're expected to doff our caps and cow tow to this shower. (I doubt we ever would to be honest, but getting rid of the gentry would be a bloody good start.)

Just be vague and say you are visiting family. I don't think it's worth getting into anti-royalist discussions. You will just look like a killjoy.

I agree but it's like being vegan - it's something that people love to announce.

Yeah, fuck that. Tell them you have a prior engagement.

What?

That puts a different spin on it most of us were picturing a party, with party poppers and cakes.

Other than the national anthem I can't even think of any songs praising the King or Queen.

Me neither 🙃Are there any, answers on a postcard?

Somewhat lightheartedly, are you sure this isn’t an Easter-related event, and the songs are referencing Jesus?

I can't think of any either but that's what the mail says. Normally we sing popular songs or folk.

Anyway now I am really leaving this thread before it goes off on a tangent.

RestingRulers

I completely agree. The brazen hypocrisy makes me sick, when they also go on about what we all need to do to combat climate change and William is there soliciting 'Earthshot' ideas from the public as to what 'we' could do. I'm guessing that his people must filter millions of responses saying 'stop living in multiple palaces with staffs and travelling the world in highly polluting vehicles' before he ever hears of them.

I still remember, when I was at uni in Wales and Charles came for a brief visit. They made a huge play of the fact that he was going by train, as part of his compassion for the environment. What they didn't bother saying was that, unlike the rest of us being packed on to trains, he was taking a whole train for himself and his staff - and meanwhile, his chauffeur was driving all the way there from London (and back, of course), to meet him at the station!

Prince Philip was also obsessed with what he viewed as the stark dangers of population growth - even saying that, after his death, he wished he could come back as a virus to kill off multitudes of people - but that still didn't stop him from having four children.

It's the breathtaking arrogance, whereby they automatically assume they are so much better and more important than everybody else. It is not an unavoidable part of monarchy: there are several European monarchs who quite willingly live as rulers among the people rather than many echelons above them.

*Staff, not 'staffs' !

I like to think the Bohemian Rhapsody bit in Wayne's World is there to praise Queen.

Hahaha 😆 😂

The fact that we are living off the international privileges stolen at the cost of so many lives from other countries is not something I want to celebrate.

I am not personally responsible for the horrendous acts of violence endured by my mother-in-law as a chiid in India, but I'm bloody well not going to a party to gloat it.

"thank you for the invitation, i won't be attending"

Didn't you read the OP? She's actually going out her way to avoid letting people know.

She's making up excuses so she doesn't have to let her friends know what she feels.

I'm amazed she needs to ask how to decline an invitation unless she wants to make it about her being a republican

tbh i wonder why anyone would bother trying to keep their "republican" or "anti-monarchy" sentiments quiet. As long as they're not doing the Romanov line pp mentioned (I did laugh, i know i shouldn't)

I (in Germany) was at work yesterday and we had a bit of a post work event in our canteen. There is a silent TV in there with the news and it was covering King Charles being here. And everyone was all "do you want us to put the sound on" and me saying "no, I'm a republican, i don't care really" didn't cause the sky to fall.

I realise that in the UK that would be a bit more of an issue, but - meh.

OP interesting subject. I would just tell your group you can't do it. And ignore any fall out. I've been to recent concerts where the choir sang Rule Britannia but most of the congregation chose not to join in. It'll change in time but not before the coronation. If they ask you why not, you'll have to come clear.

I don't know if would be an issue here to be honest, I've heard plenty of times in conversation people say they aren't a fan or aren't arsed about the monarchy and no one is bothered. The only time I can remember it being an issue was when someone was taking it too far, they'd said their opinion then were berating others for theirs when in reality no one is right or wrong.

You would think that in 2023 Britain you could freely and completely say that you are a republican, or that just don’t believe in the monarchy, and that should be fine. But it’s not. It’s still such an emotive subject, for so many people , and so many still get very upset if you show any kind of disdain for the royal family. It’s really mad. But I also think it’s very much linked to class system in this country, and to the traditional mentality around that.