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AIBU?

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Original poster

King Charles and Queen Camilla

381 replies

LoveInTokyo · 16/05/2018 07:36

AIBU to wonder why so many people seem to think this will not happen?

I can understand why a lot of people abroad seem to think it’s likely that Prince Charles will just hand over the crown straight to William because he’s younger and more popular. Most countries don’t have royal families, and in some European monarchies routine abdication is something that actually happens.

But I was reading some of the completely mental royal wedding threads on here and was surprised by the number of similar comments. I particularly enjoyed one Daily Express reader’s person’s comment about how the public would never accept Camilla as queen.

I don’t think most people give a shiny shit whether Camilla is Queen or not, but those that do have an issue with it will have to get used to the idea. Prince Charles didn’t have to give up his place in the line of succession when he married her, therefore unless the Queen outlives Charles, he will be king and Camilla will be queen!

OP posts:
CurlyWurlyTwirly · 16/05/2018 15:10

By the way what are 600 people going to do with their bowls? Is there a flunky running collecting Empty bowls?

There is a reason people have canapés. So no seating, a tiny bowl of food. No wonder Prince Phillip isn’t staying

Original poster
LoveInTokyo · 16/05/2018 15:14

“Is there a flunky running collecting Empty bowls?”

Yes, I imagine the catering company will have a few staff on hand to serve food and clear it away afterwards.

Grin
OP posts:
Queenoftheblitz · 16/05/2018 15:17

If it's lots of canapes and fizz i think that's not so bad. That way the couple get to walk around and talk to everyone.
The evening party will be fun I'm sure.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/05/2018 15:25

As I've mentioned in the past, before making any decisions on exactly what status Camilla will have it might be useful to know whether she's actually legally married to Charles or not

Very many questions were raised around this at the time, finally resulting in a report from the Lord Chancellor which was said to give some kind of definitive answer ... a report which Charles has had sealed for his lifetime

Some of us wonder why that was so, if it actually gave the go ahead for what he wanted to do in the first place

BertrandRussell · 16/05/2018 15:25

“Is there a flunky running collecting Empty bowls? ”

Oh, I expect so. If not, I’m sure the family will rally round. Everybody says how down to earth Camilla is- she’s probably got a pair of Marigolds in her handbag.........

TomRavenscroft · 16/05/2018 15:27

What's bowl food?

HasAnyoneGotAProblemWithThat · 16/05/2018 15:27

Reportedly Margaret Thatcher bought the Queen a pair of marigolds one Christmas.

SenecaFalls · 16/05/2018 15:33

I think that Harry and Meghan should walk down the aisle together. Some of the Continental European Royals have done it that way.

The80sweregreat · 16/05/2018 15:40

Can you imagine them doing the washing up ? Camilla with a tea towel and a scowl ‘ where’s me marigolds. The diamond encrusted ones..’ ‘Charles ‘ .. Charles . Stop chatting up the waitress and get me those bowls.

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 16/05/2018 15:51

However duchess eg Kate takes precedence over blood princess if her husband, Prince of the blood is present.
Basically who curtseys to who.

Strict pecking order as we're talking Royal Dukes and Duchesses here not any old Duke and Duchess Grin

I think the big thing to remember about Charles, Diana and Camilla is that this was all happening before the 'modernisation' of upper society, the monarchy and etiquette. There were people at the Palace entrenched in the old ways. Subsequently three out of four of the Queen's children have divorced, two remarried, things have changed and moved on.

Being a 'virgin bride' not living together before marriage, all those things, well, seems the royals are catching up now. Back then it was just the way it was but the charade blew apart.

LakieLady · 16/05/2018 15:53

Adultery is fundamental dishonesty and not compatible with "a strong sense of royal duty".

I think that's a pretty recent notion. Historically, royal marriages were more about political alliances than marital fidelity and it was pretty much a given that kings would have mistresses. Henry VII and George III were pretty much exceptions,and James I, who is widely believed to have been gay.

theunsure · 16/05/2018 15:58

I always thought Diana was fecking irritating tbh - yes she did some good charity work, but she was also as much of an idiot as anyone else. Nothing saintly about her as far as I am concerned.

I'm all for Charles as King - I think he'll be a George though and Camilla can be whatever he thinks is best. I've no issue with her being Queen either.

The purpose of a monarch isn't to be liked - so who cares what the public thinks!

I do think it is going to be really weird to be singing God save the King and having a King on the stamps and money regardless of who it is!

LakieLady · 16/05/2018 15:58

She was a 19 year old girl when she was pressured into the marriage, and was used as a 'respectable' bride for Charles and breeder of the next generation.

She was reputedly the last eligible virgin within a 3-mile radius of Sloane Square!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 16/05/2018 16:01

Historically, royal marriages were more about political alliances than marital fidelity and it was pretty much a given that kings would have mistresses

Which is why some of us feel that the whole model just doesn't "fit" any more. They can either consider themselves a breed set apart, invoking the divine right of kings when it suits, or accept that in today's world some of their ways just aren't appropriate any more

It's when they try to enjoy the best of both that things have a tendency to fall apart

BertrandRussell · 16/05/2018 16:02

"The purpose of a monarch isn't to be liked - so who cares what the public thinks!"

What is it's purpose then?

LakieLady · 16/05/2018 16:14

Jogsaw is prob a sportswear company!

It's actually spelt Jogsore and was an ointment for chafed nipples, back in the days before sports bras. Wink

Lizzie48 · 16/05/2018 16:25

Personally I think Liz is hanging on as long as possible hoping to outlive Charles. Fingers crossed.

That might well be the case. Her mother lived to be 100, so it's very possible. Will she send a telegram to herself or will Charles do it? Grin

Either way, Charles won't be on the throne all that long.

theunsure · 16/05/2018 16:33

@BertrandRussell

The monarch is Head of State. In the same way as you don't have to "like" the government, you don't have to "like" the monarch. And not liking someone doesn't mean they aren't good at their role. I don't like our Chief Exec - but he is bloody good at his job.

I don't think that the next King should be chosen on the basis of popularity. Yes William appears to "nicer" but that should not be the basis of succession, nor should public opinion!

Queenoftheblitz · 16/05/2018 17:28

The Queen's father and grandfather were both faithful to their wives.

Queenoftheblitz · 16/05/2018 17:35

It's not a case of dislike but rather respect. I don't respect Charles. He doesn't know how to be a good husband which is why Di went off the rails and Camilla prefers tospend weekends on her own at her own house. Just that fact alone tells me there's is not some great love affair.
Charles surrounds himself with yes-men and couldn't take it when Di stood up to him. Camilla is happy to be a yes-man but it takes its toll on her and she needs a break at the weekend.

Lizzie48 · 16/05/2018 17:37

True, Queenoftheblitz and obviously Victoria and Albert were faithful to each other. Edward VII wasn't, of course, and, curiously, his mistress was Camilla's great grandmother. Hmm

ILikeMyChickenFried · 16/05/2018 17:39

Do you respect William?I struggle imagining him as King. I wouldn't want to bow for anyone but the Queen has been around so long that's she's an institution in her own right.
The idea of William being King just feels daft. He's an ordinary bloke of seemingly average talents. He's basically my age and I just don't have the respect for him.

Lizzie48 · 16/05/2018 17:53

I think that's because the mystique around the royal family is no longer there, thanks to the media, they're just like any other celebrities. In the past that just wasn't the case, we weren't privy to their private failings like we are now.

biscuitraider · 16/05/2018 18:04

Personally I think Liz is hanging on as long as possible hoping to outlive Charles. Fingers crossed.

I've always found this rather strange, but i suppose it tells us a lot about her possible lack of much love for her first born. She knows how much he wants to do what he was born to do, his whole life has been in preparation for the the role of king, yet mother denies him this, hanging on in there for grim death. I think most mothers would be more emphatic towards their son, the queen comes across as a cold uncaring mother imo.

Queenoftheblitz · 16/05/2018 18:12

I think the queen loves her children very much. I'm sure she worries about the future of the monarchy and she understands her 60 odd years on the throne is its biggest strength.
Those years have seen her strengthen bonds with the commonwealth who totally respect her wealth of knowledge. She has seen out countless presidents and world leaders and will keep going till she dies because that's the vow she will take.
She described Charles as "hopeless" with regard to his lovelife - she's got it spot on.