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.

I didn;t say the telegraph was independent I said why believe one story whole hearted in one very biased newspaper rather than another in a paper generally thought to be slightly less so.

If you believe the telegraph is just as biased as the DM, the point still stands. Its exactly the same story - you chose to totally buy in to the one which fits your point of view. Personally I read neither paper and don't much care how the monarchy is funded provided there is proper oversight.

As to the Monarch being the most important person in legal terms - that really is only true on paper. From very rusty memory of my constitution lectures at university, there have been a variety of private run-ins between the monarch and the prime minister over the years and it has been very politely (?) pointed out on every occasion that if the monarch goes against Parliament then parliament will change the rules.

'Have you not seen the crowds? The people camping out? The numbers who watched TV?'

Oh yes, I've seen them........still not getting it

What exactly are we supposed to be excited or happy about?

I haven't a clue, perceptionreality, the Queen has been Queen for 60 years, so what? is my response. Not looking forward to the Olympics, either, but I suppose at least the athletes taking part have earned a place to be there.

And Euro 2012 as well as the Olympics.

Oh yes, I've seen them........still not getting it

What exactly are we supposed to be excited or happy about?

Does it matter if you didn't get it? The majority did.

So you can't actually explain it then?

I rest my case...

Agreed, wamster.

If that is aimed at me I don't need to explain it-the organisers of all events couldn't have hoped for a better result.

You don't have to explain it, but something tells me you would if you could and that therefore I'll draw my own conclusions - that this whole thing is a case of the emporer's new clothes. Look, I don't hate the royals. But the more I hear about this the less I understand the point of any of it.

I am quite open to hearing points of view that I may not have considered. But if they are not forthcoming (shrugs)

My mum's best explanation was that the Queen doesn't get to have a normal life. Hmmm.

What is so great about having a royal family? I do not think the UK is superior in any way because of it. And that is what is seems to be connected to - some silly outdated notion of British empire.

If I'm wrong I'm happy to hear another explanation though and consider that instead.

I have a theory that might explain it, perception. It is a celebration of laziness. The acceptance that one's lot in life is based on your birth and no point trying to better yourself.

If it was an elected President, then we have to acknowledge that we need to work hard to achieve anything. The current system that celebrates hereditary privilege allows us to look up to somebody, while being comfortable about being lazy and complacent as we cannot ever hope to be like them

How depressing :(

Agree with you Hully...and REsPECT for all your message deletions

Have just spent an afternoon in the rain in Hyde Park with thousands of other people watching the procession on the big screen. We were only there because we couldn't get nearer to the palace because of overcrowding. Every day of this long weekend has been just as busy despite the poor weather. Everyone went mad when she appeared, singing the national anthem and waving flags. Same outside St Paul's this morning.

The only representation I've seen from the republicans is 20 people standing by the Thames on Sunday trying to sing an anti-monarchy song (only to be drowned out pretty easily by a nearby crowd), and a handful of people on Mumsnet.

I have been to various street parties and events over the last four days and haven't met a single person with republican views.

I know this will mean nothing to those of you on here who are anti-monarchist, but if I were an alien visiting earth and had to make any judgements based on what I'd witnessed, I wouldn't have any doubts as to what the majority of this country thinks of the monarchy.

Most people would go to the opening of an envelope Shame they don't get so animated and motivated the rest of the time and get out in their numbers and do something constructive. People were out in force when Diana died but most just wanted the vibe and didn't give a s**t

Love, and majority of the people in Nazi Germany supported Hitler and I am sure they stood in the rain and sang patriotic songs and cheered at a glimpse of their leader.

So what?

Sheep for any cause are still sheep...

loveis - it doesn't matter at all what the majority 'thinks' if there is no sense in it. I'd imagine most people are just swept along by it. That certainly appears to be the case.

I agree noddyholder.

I love it when you disagree with someone and they say it is 'emperor's new clothes' or 'you are swept along'!
If I didn't laugh I would be very annoyed at the patronising attitude.

We can be free thinkers and come to an opposite view you know!

What do you expect if you can't even explain your own point of view? I've already said I'm open to hearing it...

"it doesn't matter what the majority thinks if there is no sense in it"

Erm, isn't majority rules the whole point of democracy?? Your subjective view is that there is no sense in it. Dictatorship, or what?

I am free to choose to be a subject. Lol, talk about an oxymoron.

I haven't attended any events-I haven't even said that I am a royalist! I don't think it matters if there is sense. FACT the jubilee was a success.

A success what does that mean? What did it achieve for the majority of this country? Genuine Q

Nope, majority rules is not the point of democracy. Minority governments can come into power, there can be proportional representation.

Democracy is based on equality if all citizens and inalienable right to elect our representatives of state. Not the divine right of kings and hereditary power. That is what dictatorships and monarchies are made of.

A success in what sense?

Ok, loveis - you explain to me what this is all about. What point have I missed? Never mind what XXXX people think. Maybe I wouldn't think it was senseless if people could explain what, exactly, they are celebrating.

Of, not if