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?

[cdtaylornats]

In the 70s whenever they spoke about getting rid of royalty we reminded them of the four most terrifying words in the English language "President Foot, President Thatcher".

[Batteriesallgone]

I know an incredibly successful, billionaire businessman.

He will tell anyone who will listen that it's too stressful, he just wants to retire to an island somewhere, he plans to work for another X years then give half to charity and give it all up.

It's total bollocks. The man is avarice on legs. He'll never stop willingly because, basically, he wants ALL THE GOLD IN THE WORLD. He's also in total denial, and believes chucking the odd wad to charity makes him a good person.

I don't know any of the royals, but I do wonder if they are similar tbh.

[derxa]

I don't know any of the royals, but I do wonder if they are similar tbh.
Where do people like you come from? Why are you so bitter?

[PrinceGeorgeTheCutest]

Aunty Pippa thinks she's going to be Queen one day

[InvisableLobstee]

the four most terrifying words in the English language "President Foot, President Thatcher

President Trump

[Florriesma]

I can see them quietly dying out eventually.
Some Older people still have plates and pictures of the queen up . Congratulation cards from her take pride of place. I doubt so many younger people do that now. The royalist tendencies aren't there in the same way.
I think if the crown doesn't skip a generation it will be the undoing.it needs glamour to survive. A run of septagenarian kings isn't going to satisfy that public craving.

[reuset]

There was never any chance of Prime Minister Foot, never mind President Foot

[derxa]

President Trump I'd love him to be our president.
It'll likely be President Helena Kennedy (twat)

[lessworriedaboutthecat]

President Thatcher or President Blair though

[annandale]

I agree that there is zero appetite for changing the monarchy, except for minor deckchair rearrangement such as this or that relative being paid for out of a different pot of money.

Out of the EU as a small country on the NW fringes of a major trading block, the monarchy is like granny's antique dinner service. Something that makes us slightly more interesting, makes us feel better about ourselves and genuinely does connect us with our past.

[ellestyle]

Presidents are democratically elected and can be voted out, they also have to at least put some effort into getting the job, unlike the useless royals. If Charles were up for election would anyone seriously vote him in? ......No thought not, and he doesn't even have to try.

[Bluntness100]

You think enough people feeling as you do will save it?

It's about how many are against it that demolish it,, not how many wish to save it, and I don't think we want a presidency as a nation.

Charles has to take it, as William doesn't want it yet. And the queen has been very sure of her path in staying out of politics. Bottom line is they feed tourism,and I really don't think we want a president. So yes, I think George will be king, whatever being king means by then, as it will be another fifty odd years away,

[rosietosey]

The Monarchies that are left in Europe are quiet and really don't court the media much really.

Think Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands and Norway for starters. Could anyone name them? I doubt it but anyway.

They will always have loadsa dough and connections and so on. Such is the accident of birth.

As to whether the current RF will continue. I doubt that George and Charlotte will give a fig. Thinking about Zara and so on. Wasn't she brave to just go it alone. But I doubt she will ever have to worry about her Electric bill or Council tax either!

By the time George is in line for the throne he may say forget it.

As it is, Charles is just waiting for his mother to die. That is dreadful.

Times move on.

[MommaGee]

As it is, Charles is just waiting for his mother to die. That is dreadful

And the evidence for this is what? Why do people assume every time the phone rings he's hoping has mother is dead?

[Sara107]

Haven't read full thread but by and large the UK seem to prefer the royal family to any alternative. But the Queen commands huge amounts of affection and respect even from people who otherwise don't care much for the royals. So I think when she goes they will be less popular. The other thing I think the royal family will struggle with is oldness. People like the glamour of royalty ( hence Diana's popularity as whereas young and pretty and wore nice clothes). The queen is now in her 90's but may reign another decade if she has her mum's longevity. Charles will then become king aged almost 80, an elderly king, but possibly reigning 10 - 20 years. Which would make William elderly himself before becoming king and possibly reigning on for decades. I think people might just become bored / lose interest in the whole institution by the time the country is facing into yet another elderly monarch.

[PrinceGeorgeTheCutest]

By the time George is in line for the throne he may say forget it noooooo I want my THRONE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tapandgo]

I hope the monarchy goes sooner rather than later. A complete anachronism in a so called democratic country. I cannot comprehend why any family can be born into a position to live off our taxes and behave as they choose with no accountability.
Nothing can justify their continuing existence - work shy spendthrifts that they are.
William and Harry don't want the responsibility that goes with the privilege - but will they give it up? Of course not, because that will mean they have to get a job on merit and live off their own earnings. (Well... I know .......live off the vast inheritance)

[rosietosey]

@MommaGee

What is his role otherwise really?

I love the Queen for this, she will not abdicate. In spite of him.

Queen Camilla? Lovely.

[ginnybag]

Because what we need in the next decade is to have to rewrite all of our laws, not just the ones affected by Brexit.

There is a place for a slimmed down Monarchy, and I absolutely agree that only the direct line should be supported publicly, but there is far more to the presence of the Monarchy than is obvious.

Not least the advantages of having a moderating body scrutinizing potential laws not worrying about re-election in their decision making, a Courts system free of political influence and a potential hand on the brakes of a Trump-like President.

Replacing the existing set up, and it's safeguards, without sacrificing them to the whims of an electorate that frequently votes ill-educated and ill informed, is not a good idea.

It was an American who said it, 200 years ago: For democracy to survive, there must be in its leadership a body capable of saying no to popular pressure - this body is a monarchy. That could be changed, but I've seen no good suggestions and the sheer amount of legal effort would be nightmarish. It's not enough to say they should step away... They can't, without a rewrite of British law, legal practice and revenue from a bank sheet of paper.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

I also think we know far too much about Charles - the press will be full of black spider, tampons and whatever else they might have on him for the entire period preceding his coronation

They could make a promising start on the issue of whether or not he's legally married, and what that might imply for his ambitions to make Camilla queen

Let's not forget that, given his unique circumstances, careful legal advice was taken around the legitimacy of the "marriage" ... advice which has been sealed for his lifetime. Some might reasonably believe that, had the advice backed what he wanted to do, he'd have been only too glad for it to be made public

With apologies for the DM link: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1265095/Charles--Camilla-marriage-Legal-advice-sealed-Princes-death.html

[lessworriedaboutthecat]

Sara that's why I think Charles step aside in favour of William. The Queens been old my whole life (or at least it seems that way). Prince Charles is the same age as my dad. I'm thinking when the Queen dies it will be King William and Queen Kate, Prince Harry and Princess Meghan the first non white Royal.

[Notagainmun]

I think they will become less of an interest to the general public and instead of being the most famous of the European royal families they will be much the same as the others. I don't think they will be abolished for several more generations.

[shaggedthruahedgebackwards]

I suspect the status quo will remain as long as the reigning monarch keeps out of politics and does nothing controversial

There is not currently a huge appetite to change things so unless the RF start to really piss people off then they are probably safe

It will be interesting to see what sort of a King Charles will be and the tide of public opinion could easily change if he is given enough rope to hang himself

I agree that William does not seem hugely enthusiastic about being King so there is definitely a possibility that he may seek to reduce the power and responsibility that the Monarch has

[rosietosey]

Money talks and bullshit walks.

I doubt any of the current RF give a shit what the great unwashed think anymore.

Even if they were knocked off their perches, the great pageants of State would still carry on, without the need for any of the RF to be present.

When was the last time you saw any of the RF apart from Catherine and the kids?

I doubt any member of the RF wants to be in the public eye at all. But keep the money of course and the standard of living.

All the work done is to justify their existence. Ooooh look at that dress, look at Zara, look over there.

Pain in the absolute hole. And they would probably love to be anywhere else but there.

Nah. Monarchy gone in twenty years methinks. Well as it is now anyway.

[londonrach]

As a teenager, young adult i was vvv antihaving one family like the royals. However as an adult i think differently especially seeing america and a president. The queen has been good but charles? Charles even my fil who vvv royalist agrees is a good case against having a royal family. Not sure what happen after the queen dies. Agree william isnt too interested. Only time will tell here! Thinking a more streamlined royal family