to wonder why the whole country has gone completely bloody Royalist?

[Hullygully]

Erect the scaffold.

Up the Republicans.

We are ADULTS we don't need a feudalistic Divine Right of Kings addled parasitical bunch of halfwits to live off our taxes.

Presidential terms
US - 4 years
France - 5 yrs
Germany - 5 yrs

OK maybe we'd plump for 5 years but unlikely to go for more I would have thought
General election cost about £80 million, royal weddings cost govt £24m though monarchy paid the actual cost of the wedding from private funds.

Mind you presidential election would probably cost less (though apparently the french spent E200m!) offset by the fact that there has been 2 royal weddings and one state funeral in 30 years so I suspect the costs aren't dis-similar.

Lots of people name change in RL for lots of reasons.

Lots of German Jews Anglicised their surnames as did people with German and Italian surnames living in this country.

It wasn't sinister but survivalist.

As it was with the royal family at the time.

Kudos on your fact finding, Kew. I am not sure I approve of such short terms. Better for the stability of a country to have at least 10 years, I'd say.

If only I were the one to decide

This weekend is a nice way to enjoy life and be happy regardless of your views of the monarchy, which does so much for this country (which is miserable most of the time IMO).

Rejoice and enjoy I say.

In Ireland the President serves 7 years per term.. Our last Pres Mary MacAleese served two terms.

"Kudos on your fact finding, Kew." you might get the impression I actually care mightn't you! BUt I don't! Just like to be clear that people are arguing with good information.

I agree serving more than one term is very common but the cost of the election (vs cost of royal weddings/ funerals) remains the same regardless of whom (who?) is elected.

I'm with you on your facts thing. I'm just juggling too much today to back myself up properly.

My jam sandwich was delish. Liz has excellent taste.

Actually I'll tell you what is really ridiculous and that is the Commonwealth. All those countries that have perfectly sensible governments of their own (like Canada! and Australia!) but still have to kowtow to the Queen as head of state because we invaded and killed loads of their native peoples in the olden days. They don't even get the tourism benefits and the thrill of having a royal visit to open their new library.

Think the Queen should say, 'Thanks guy, it's been great, but you're all grown up now so I'm going to bid a dignified retreat.'

Cromwell was no more a dictator than Charles had been. Less, if anything. The Restoration wasn't really intended to Restore the whole Stuart monarchy, and those who did it expected Charles II to stick to his word and pronounce religious toleration. He didn't, of course. I love the fact that the republic had broken up the crown Jewels and sold them to pay Charles I's massive debts to his servants. They were 'reconstructed' later. Only the spoon dates from before 1660. Charles I was actually crowned with a leather replica. So all tradition is a bit of a fiction.

Er, countries choose to be in the Commonwealth or not - they don't have to!

I thought some countries actively sought Commonwealth status?

I love history.

And Anglesey.

Hully - Well knock me down with a feather. I would never have had you down as someone who bought into the Diana conspiracy theories.

"but still have to kowtow to the Queen as head of state" no they don't. They choose to. They are perfectly entitled to decide not to - the Queen isn't going to behead them

The Queen is nominally the head of the Commonwealth but it is a voluntary association and no country has any power over any of the others. The Queen's role is purely symbolic.

FWIW - Ireland withdrew from the Commonwealth

Of course they choose!

Cromwell was no more a dictator than Charles had been. Less, if anything. The Restoration wasn't really intended to Restore the whole Stuart monarchy, and those who did it expected Charles II to stick to his word and pronounce religious toleration. He didn't, of course. I love the fact that the republic had broken up the crown Jewels and sold them to pay Charles I's massive debts to his servants. They were 'reconstructed' later. Only the spoon dates from before 1660. Charles I was actually crowned with a leather replica. So all tradition is a bit of a fiction.

grimbletart My favourite bits were the test papers (I think, or perhaps it was all just my favourite). This question in particular:

Name two of the following:
a)
b)
c) Simon de Montfort

Sitting at my desk trying not to snort with laughter...

Hully,you're still doing it

Cromwell was a mass murderer.

He was

i'm with you whizzkid

"All those countries that have perfectly sensible governments of their own (like Canada! and Australia!) but still have to kowtow to the Queen".

They have to kowtow to her? Really? I live in Britain, and I really don't have much to do with her.

Not read while thread yet but am Concerned about you, Hully.

You said that Feast lollies are fab.

They're not, my love.

Feast = choc on a stick with choc sprinkles

Fab = ice lolly, rocket shaped, different flavours, hundreds and thousands.

Hope this clears up your confusion. If not, a quiet hour in a dark room might help.

exactly,Merrymouse. this thread has totally bewildered me..how can there be this much hatred?

lol@sassy

Hully - Well knock me down with a feather. I would never have had you down as someone who bought into the Diana conspiracy theories.

Let's all have a G&T and sing the national anthem. Followed by a jam sandwich and some special K. God love her, she doesn't need to lose weight!