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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that the royals aren't priveleged

135 replies

pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:05

People keep saying this, but I wouldn't want their lives for anything. The only people I would less like to be would be people suffering abuse, or dreadful illnesses.

I don't think there should be a royal family, it's an outdated concept to have hereditary holders of power. But clearly it's not easy to get rid of, and even if we did, generations would still be scrutinised by the media as if they still were.

It looks awful, permanently being in the limelight.

You might have a great house, but no real privacy.
You'd have loads of money, OK no worries, but beyond a certain amount, what's the point?
You can't go anywhere freely, without feeling you're being watched, I'd hate that.
And you have no real choices. I know some have had military careers, but that's about it (for the main royals anyway), you can't suddenly decide to be a doctor, or teacher or whatever. Hell I'd be annoyed if someone told me I COULDN'T work on a checkout.
You can't make choices for your kids either. You can't just decide to send them to a local school and brownies, even if you think it's best for them, because of all the baggage that goes with it, and safety concerns. I would not feel like an autonomous parent in those circumstances.

I wouldn't do it for anything!

OP posts:
kim147 · 03/03/2013 20:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

fairylightsinthesnow · 03/03/2013 20:10

I agree with you OP but many won't. The usual view on here seems to be that because they are so rich they can't possibly have any problems, or at least deserve no sympathy for the ones they do have. The amount each of us contribute per year to the royals is in the tiny numbers of pence, most of their wealth is hereditary and dates back centuries so unless you want a genuine revolution (cos that worked so well in France and Russia) we're stuck with them Smile

TraineeBabyCatcher · 03/03/2013 20:11

I full agree with what you're staying about their lives, and I think the same applys to the children of celebs. They all have these lives thrust on them with little choice and its very difficult, if even possible, to just walk away.

PanpiperAtTheGatesOfYawn · 03/03/2013 20:13

They're incredibly privileged. Doesn't mean their lives are good/fun, and like you I wouldn't swap with Kate in a million years. But they are privileged.

Lucyellensmum95 · 03/03/2013 20:15

I would much rather be a member of the royal family than be a single mother on benefits! Nup, im not about to lose any sleep over the lack of privacy the royals get - they do ok out of it. I think they generally can keep out of the limelight - prince edward anyone? doens't have have a production company (albeit not very succesfull?) Prince Harry doesn't seem too shy about things - quite happy to engage in general student twattishness.

So sorry OP, YABU

kim147 · 03/03/2013 20:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:16

What do they gain from the privilege?
Compared to the average bod, not the starving of the world.

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MmeLindor · 03/03/2013 20:16

I think you have to separate the issues of privacy and privilege.

They are incredibly privileged but they have no privacy.

Those who were born into it, have to put up with the latter, while still (presumably) enjoying the former.

Those who marry into the family have no reason to complain, least of all Kate, as she knew exactly what she was getting into.

Original poster
pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:17

Been a single (widowed) mother on benefits. Don't want dh2 to die, but apart from that I'd rather be in that position again, than be a royal.

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Original poster
pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:18

I agree about, I'm talking about people born into it who had no choice from the cradle.

OP posts:
Original poster
pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:18

Sorry, I agree about Kate.

OP posts:
wannabedomesticgoddess · 03/03/2013 20:18

Well they are priviledged.

But I wouldnt enjoy the constant spotlight or the endless Royal Duties.

I love them. YANBU. But they are priviledged.

eavesdropping · 03/03/2013 20:21

YABU. Of course they're privileged. Doesn't mean I would want their life though.

DontmindifIdo · 03/03/2013 20:22

It's not just that they have money, they aren't allowed to spend it without it being discussed in the press, and woe betide any who are see as spending their money on frivilous things. I quite like the younger generation are seeming to be allowed to go on holiday to sunny places, but still being slagged off for it, whereas we're quite happy for them to holiday in the scottish rain, spending about the same once you factor in the cost of running Balmoral, it's not the money, it's that we don't want them to ever look like they are having fun...

I truely believe that even if you got rid of monachy tomorrow - all current living and the next generation (so Will & Kate's baby, any Harry produces etc) will be filling the Daily Mail and Hello, they still will be watch and commented on and generally seen to be 'lacking'.

Original poster
pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:24

What is it that's privileged about their lives?

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ChairmanWow · 03/03/2013 20:24

Nobody's holding a gun to their heads. If their lives are so shit they can try their luck in the outside world. They're not exactly climbing over each other to escape Balmoral are they?

Pandemoniaa · 03/03/2013 20:24

They are incredibly privileged. There are undoubtedly drawbacks to being Royal although it is important to understand that anyone born into the Royal Family knows no differently. However, you cannot say that they aren't privileged.

Pandemoniaa · 03/03/2013 20:26

What is it that's privileged about their lives?

How long a list do you want? For starters:

  1. No money worries. Ever.
  2. Secure accommodation for your lifetime.
  3. Staff who exist entirely to do your bidding.
WafflyVersatile · 03/03/2013 20:27

They could give it all up of course. If it's so awful.

I think it depends on whether your'e born into it or not. Kate will feel the restrictions more than the others. She'll probably feel the privilege more too. Pri

I wouldn't want to be a CEO either. My life so far hasn't really prepared me for it.

I would not want the whole country to be informed every time I get the shits.

aquashiv · 03/03/2013 20:27

They are more privileged that you or I could ever possibly imagine.
I am not sure on missing out on some NCT classes is something anyone even Katie should really give a rats arse over.

Original poster
pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:29

I think I'm incredibly privileged.

Family income circa 30k, I want for nothing.
Secure roof over head, secure tenancy.
Plenty of free time.
I dress like a scruff and no-one cares.
Know loads of people from all walks of life, that truly is a massive privilege.

I can't see anything in their lives to covet at all.

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LRDtheFeministDragon · 03/03/2013 20:30

YABU.

They may not be privileged in the same way as some other people, but they are hugely privileged.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be one of them for worlds, but I would do the decent thing and give it up.

Original poster
pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:31

Never been to an NCT class, but would give a massive rats arse if my choices for activities were restricted in any way at all.

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MmeLindor · 03/03/2013 20:31

The definition of privilege is 'a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group'

So yes, they are privileged, in that they have advantages and opportunities that normal people do not have.

Do these privileges come with disadvantages, with a flip-side? Undoubtedly - and I think that this is what you are talking about.

Original poster
pouffepants · 03/03/2013 20:32

Is it possible to give it up though? Would they not still be hounded?

But I agree, if it were possible, they should.

OP posts: