To think Prince George will never be King?

[SerfTerf]

Or if he is, the next generation won't be?

We were talking about it at lunch. I just have the strong feeling now that the monarchy will fizzle out at some point in the next 50-100 years.

It's not an active "want" just a notion.

Two of us talking earlier felt similarly but the other three were aghast.

So, AIBU?

I don't think it will persist indefinitely, I just don't expect it to go in my lifetime. It makes me viscerally angry, the thought of people being born into such immense privilege, and the way people adore them as they do, I don't get it.

I think they will still be called the Royal family, but their power and influence may have waned.
They'll just be a very famous rich family, and less involved in Parliament etc.

I am younger than William so there's a reasonable chance that I might see some of George's reign.

You do realize that your forgetting the fact that each generation gets it;s own set of Royalty, which people follow and grow up with.
Ours was the Queens children, their lives, marriages and children, the grandchildren, then you follow up with our Children and their Children, will grown up and watch the ups and downs, do you think they will want to be denied the things that follow. Look how people love Harry, and want to follow his story.

I don't know anyone under 30 who cares about them much @mummmy2017 . I don't think what you describe is still happening. Probably, at least partly, because of the diversity of mass media.

I thought William and Kate were really popular though?? People saying they've bought the monarchy out of the past etc

Would be happy to see the monarchy go, but I don't think they will.

The Queen will never die though - when she gets seriously infirm they will just graft her head onto a donor animal - probably one of her corgis

There are quite a few republicans on MN aren't there? I wonder if that's representative.

@Doris I have mental images!

William clearly doesn't have much love for the people

Based on what, exactly? He got an education, married a commoner, did a useful job, shows up at god knows how many engagements, puts up with his grandmother telling him off in public (loved that one!)...... what is it you expect of him?

Think of the crowds that always turn out to see them, all of them.
The Regatta in London, and other such happy times, sorry but I think you will find it;s a case of people saying one thing and doing different.

I sincerely hope so, OP.

Yabu that it's just a notion and not a want, though

Oh I do hope you're right, OP.

No there isn't a lot of love for Charles, and it always amazes me, when these polls are done that say X% of people want William to be the next king. My aunt is one such person who feels like this.

I always say to her, you don't get to choose who comes next, that's the whole point of a hereditary monarchy. Then I'll remind her, the way for the public to actually choose who the head of state is, to to become a republic. She doesn't appreciate that truth!

I think the monarchy is very stable because it has divested itself of any real power. Unless there is a revolution that either annihilates them (Russian style), or key top members all decide to abdicate leaving the Duke of Gloucester of someone on the throne, it will persist.

I think plenty care. They are middle class icons. All they have to do is chat to some people with depression and trot round a hospital posing for some photographs and people love them. Job's done!

Well I can't really see the point of them @reuset ,but I wouldn't want the job of designing the replacement system either.

Look how people love Harry, and want to follow his story.

Did you read the guff he was coming out with on a recent thread? I'll have to dig it out.

Idk but consider this no monarchy in a few years BBC news 'today we welcome the visit of President Trump meeting President Corbyn. If that doesn't make King George, William or even King Charles more palatable I don't know what will.

Can't see the Monarchy fizzling out as such. Its official and legal roles might, but there is likely to always be a Royal family who will consider themselves to have titles such as King, Queen, prince, princess etc, even if it we become a pure republic in terms of law and government.

I don't think that we will get rid of the monarchy in so short a period, but I can see us moving more and more towards the European model with a slimmed down Royal Family (it's already smaller than previously) and less formal genuflecting towards them

I can see them staying royal in name but relinquishing the duties. I'm not anti-monarchy in theory but I'm really disliking William. He seems to really resent his status (but not the money, funnily enough).

To me, it does. Because we can get rid of Trump (well, the Yanks can) and Corbyn with our vote. We can never get rid of the monarchy.

However I know others disagree.

For a while I've had a really weird, strong feeling that the queen will die suddenly and in the next few years, before Phillip even. I just cannot see it being allowed to be public knowledge that she was ill/ailing in any way due to impact on the nation. She is just so stoic that if she was to become ill I think she'd just ask for a large dose of painkillers to see her off.

After that I think they'll be a huge period of unrest and uncertainty and the monarchy will remain in situ but in a much more reduced role.

Or I could be talking bollocks. Yep, probably bollocks.

I don't think the monarchy will go. I so think they will no longer be heads of state and not so subsidised though.

Another generation of two of marrying into the middle classes and spilling their souls would have an effect too. It must dilute the mystique and make them seem more ordinary. I can't really picture it TBH.