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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel extremely bloody proud to be British today?

510 replies

hehitmeanditfeltlikeakiss · 19/05/2018 14:29

I take our country for granted because I live in a town that is the polar opposite of what Windsor looks like. But wow - watching the Royal family today I got shivers down my spine and felt so overwhelmed with emotion.

In the past I've looked at ways of emigrating because I've been fed up of living here, but I've just realised that it's a free country and to feel better about life I can actually make the move and go and live somewhere nicer (ok, maybe not Windsor but still).

We're so lucky aren't we?

OP posts:
HariboIsMyCrack · 22/05/2018 13:17

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

dirtyprettything · 22/05/2018 13:17

I would rather have a president than a monarch, even one I disagreed with as I would regularly have the chance to vote him or her out. Democracy you see.

Inkspellme · 22/05/2018 13:25

@dirtyprettything - exactly, perhaps its as well the monarchy are mostly decorative.

derxa · 22/05/2018 13:30

I have a picture in the kitchen of my late DF with Prince Charles.
It was taken at Royal Smithfield where my DF had won a trophy for his sheep. Another farmer was showing the sheep and received the trophy.
My father jumped into the ring and slapped Prince Charles on the back and shouted, 'I bred the buggers!' I'm not therefore deferential to the royal family but the event wouldn't have noteworthy at all if it hadn't involved PC. I know that he and Princess Anne do a lot to promote farming. And despite what you might think, farmers are struggling at the moment.
The royal family trudge up and down this country attending endless events and bring a lot of support to many. Think of their response to Grenfell.
I await a lot of derogatory comments. Go on flame away!

biscuitraider · 22/05/2018 13:32

I love posters being accused of enjoying watching the Queen Mother

She’s been dead for at least 15 years

Well yes i think we all know that. It was obviously in response to the poster who said she got a boost out of seeing Shock We can still talk about dead people you know.

Clandestino · 22/05/2018 14:03

Panem et circenses. Yes you are so enlightened and the rest of us are sheep blah blah blah.

I never said that. But the great spectacles of pompous aristocratic weddings have been organised for centuries if not millennia as a way of boosting the loyalty and adoration by the masses. It has always worked wonders. And it worked in this case too, judging by the posts on Mumsnet.
All I am saying is that there is another side of the coin. And that there is a large group of people who didn't feel touched by the Royal wedding other than wishing them well just like I would anyone else getting married. And that you will find plenty of people who don't envy the British for their Royal family, even though the gossip about them can be pretty enjoyable from time to time.

biscuitraider · 22/05/2018 14:32

The royal family trudge up and down this country attending endless events and bring a lot of support to many. Think of their response to Grenfell.

They hardly have to queue for buses to go "trudging up and down the country". The travel costs of the royal family are huge, they certainly travel in style. But really, they have to do something's to justify their enormous cost to us.

As far as Grenfell was concerned, they showed support the same way they do for most tragedies, they have to be seen to care, they know how quickly things can turn against them if they don't. It's all about self preservation, rather than them being too concerned.

I should imagine that any comfort they bring to people is because a lot of people consider them their betters. I'd rather have comfort from someone who I knew really cared.

derxa · 22/05/2018 14:35

I'd rather have comfort from someone who I knew really cared. What if no one cared. What if you were shunned by the rest of society like AIDS patients were.

biscuitraider · 22/05/2018 14:38

What and you think the royal family would?

derxa · 22/05/2018 14:38

It's all about self preservation, rather than them being too concerned. You really think that Prince William wasn't upset by the Grenfell tragedy? Honestly?

biscuitraider · 22/05/2018 14:40

And aids patients weren't shunned by nursing staff as far as I'm aware.

derxa · 22/05/2018 14:41

What and you think the royal family would? Don't you remember Diana, Princess of Wales?

biscuitraider · 22/05/2018 14:42

You really think that Prince William wasn't upset by the Grenfell tragedy
Obviously he'll care, that wasn't my point.

biscuitraider · 22/05/2018 14:45

Diana was a one off, I'm talking about the present day RF, the queen for instance cried in public when Brittania got decommissioned, it seemed to touch her, the loss of it far more than any awful tragedy.

AntiqueSinger · 22/05/2018 14:56

I think the Queen is wrongly maligned regarding the decommissioning of the Britannia. I remember years ago, walking down my street and seeing a woman clutching a small dog in her arms and just standing on the pavement crying, turned out her budgie had died. She said: 'I've been to 2 funereals in two weeks, and I haven't cried once, but I just got in and found the budgie dead and its all too much"

Had to get a neighbour to help her go back in her flat.

I think the Brittania thing was a similar moment for the Queen. The last straw.

biscuitraider · 22/05/2018 15:20

I could agree with that maybe if it was another death, but the decommissioning of her yacht shouldn't be a thing to cry over, even if it was an accumulation of upsets, the yacht shouldn't fall into that category, its people not things that count. I just think she's a naturally cold person, nothing I've seen of her in all those years on the throne will convince me otherwise.

BertrandRussell · 22/05/2018 15:32

I am a Republican to my fingertips. But Diana made a huge difference in AIDS awareness. Huge. Anyone who was there will agree.

biscuitraider · 22/05/2018 15:39

I agree, she definitely did. I don't think anyone disputes that.

traciebanbanjo · 22/05/2018 15:39

My father jumped into the ring and slapped Prince Charles on the back and shouted

Anybody doing that thesedays would be shot dead.

The royal family don't care about the peasants, just themselves and maintaining their fabulous privilege.

I see the queens "work" for the day is hosting the summer birthday of her son. I'm sure she's been rushing to waitrose and busy sorting things all day Envy

kalapattar · 22/05/2018 15:40

Republicans should be careful what they wish for. Would you really want to end up with President Johnson or President Farrage

Some countries have a model of Head of State which is 'ceremonial' and also ensuring the Government follows the Constitution. They have no power to make laws but they do have the power to ensure that the elected Government follows the Constitution.

A President Farage would have no power to enact laws and could be removed if they crossed any line. Unfortunately we can't remove any Monarch if they cross a line.

kalapattar · 22/05/2018 15:42

The royal family trudge up and down this country attending endless events and bring a lot of support to many. Think of their response to Grenfell.I await a lot of derogatory comments. Go on flame away

They are expected to. It comes with being a member of the Royal Family.

A Head of State would be expected to do the same thing.

BertrandRussell · 22/05/2018 15:46

Why do we need a Head of State when we have a Prime Minister?

derxa · 22/05/2018 15:48

Anybody doing that thesedays would be shot dead Grin It wasn't that long ago. Maybe 15 years. There was a slight bit of consternation and PC's are as wide as saucers.

derxa · 22/05/2018 15:49

*PC's eyes

traciebanbanjo · 22/05/2018 15:54

I think 15 years ago things were very different. I wonder how many snipers were on duty during the wedding?

Visiting a major tragedy is expected, what about the daily smaller tragedy's that happen every single day due to inequality? Just lost in numbers.