AIBU to think Harry and Meghan are taking the piss?

[ohymygodbethenny]

How are people not more outraged? And no, tourists do not visit the UK specifically because of the royal family.

"This year, 320,000 people were recorded as homeless in Britain"

Yes the Irish system would cause the least amount of disruption. I think they will Peter out after a few generations. I suspect it will start with Canada and Australia becoming republics.

If we got rid of the monarchy what would stop the government of the day turning the crown estate into museums / halls of residence / whatever open to the public?

I agree with Snokeonthewater - get Brexit done and settled one way or other then let us see who really wants to keep this over privileged lot, actually we should wait until the old queenie passes on, wait a year and then have a referendum on it. It is the “hangers on” who keep them there, they are just people and should be phased out as they die off. Just become ordinary citizens and gave to live on a budget like most people.

Are people really stupid enough to want another referendum? Isn’t the ongoing shitstorm from the last one bad enough? No politician will suggest another one in my lifetime.

She's made mistakes as we all do, but rather than being her "fault", a great deal is perhaps just the inevitable result of two people coming together so quickly, into such a situation and with such backgrounds

Yes they did move things along very quickly. I guess they felt they had no time to lose and were both ready for a full commitment. It's been said that Meghan was already intentionally seeking an eligible match and met a DM (! just why?) journo where she asked for advice. Also meeting the very sour Piers Morgan in the pub was likely an attempt to build networks for herself (urgh PM?!). So she was a place in her life where she was ready to settle and Harry had had two serious relationships which didn't pan out, ostensibly because neither women wanted the responsibility and the scrutiny.

Also being Royal is very romanticised in the US (Princess diaries anyone) so I doubt the true essence of what it entails would not really have registered deeply.

Diana, Fergie, Kate all made mistakes the snobbiests in the media made great copy out of it at the time. It is just Meghans turn and she is a mature woman who I think will plough her own furrow rather than a young girl who will bow to the grey men in the palace.

There’s something in the press about Meghan and Harry being on their third nanny in six weeks.

Maybe the universe is telling her to look after Archie herself.

I am a republican. However, if I was in Harry and Meghan's position I would have spent loads too. They can, apparently they are entitled to, so why not? Who wouldn't? Nobody is going to stop them.

Loads of the royals and their hangers on make use of private jets, holidays, housing, renovations, schooling, security etc. William and Kate have been a bit more discrete than Harry and Meghan, but not much more. The media just happens to be focused on Harry and Meghan at the moment because they are being a little bit more blatant. They all do it.

There’s something in the press about Meghan and Harry being on their third nanny in six weeks

So what? You need to find the right one. Nothing is wrong with it. It's just the media is trying to make a big issue out of it.

Can I ask, what happens if you don't courtesy? It looks so ridiculous and outdated as everything else but courtesy looks so humiliating these days.

It’s only humiliating if you want it to be. A curtsy to the Queen is a mark of respect, nothing more. If you met her and didn’t bother, you’d just look a bit of a dick. Same as if you refuse to stand for the national anthem.

You don't have to curtsy to royalty, a mere head bob is sufficient. It certainly isn't mandatory when your meeting the Queen any members of the Royal family.

It’s no less silly than when lawyers & a judge walk into a courtroom & bow to each other. Your bowing to what they represent (in this case HM as head of state) not the person IMO.

It’s no less silly than when lawyers & a judge walk into a courtroom & bow to each other

I don't agree:

a. The lawyers and judge have worked their way up to those statuses within their careers. Law might be a well-paid career but it's also a demanding one.
b. There's no expectation that the everyday person on the street will bow to a judge when they meet one - it's a ritual that happens within the courtroom between members of the same profession.

Nobody is forced to curtsey, head bob or bow to the Queen (HM)
People do it because they want to & it's a historical custom.
HM is not going to have you charged with treason & thrown into the Tower of London if you don't curtsey.
I wonder if HM ever has silly moments where she sees herself in the mirror & curtsies to herself

The lawyers and judge have worked their way up to those statuses within their careers. Law might be a well-paid career but it's also a demanding one. OMG

PineappleFwitters
The "set up in Ireland" is an awful waste of money - we don't need a President.
Michael D and the wife are on the pig's back

I will say though that the last time I ever thought Royalty truly served a purpose was in the immediate aftermath of the appalling Grenfell tragedy. The politicians were pretty much inept, Teresa May couldn't rouse herself to visit the victims (although after criticism she arranged a visit to the hospital and was photographed entering) but then William and the Queen unexpectedly turned up and I temperoraily forgot about their privilege - its was just nice and strangely seemed very appreciated by those on the ground. Having a sovereign entity separate from government did seem to mean something in that instance.

Agree ScreamingValenta

Really Zonkin? I assumed a republican would be aware of the image of things. How to be weathly without being ostentatious. No idea why.

A curtsy to the Queen is a mark of respect, nothing more. If you met her and didn’t bother, you’d just look a bit of a dick. Same as if you refuse to stand for the national anthem
No you’d look a dick if you did. Why would you look a dick if you didn’t curtesy or join in that awful dire national anthem. The royal family isn’t worthy of any respect, They’re a drain on the nation. The money we throw at this one dysfunctional elitist family whilst we can’t even feed our poor, sick and disabled is disgusting. The whole country is suffering cutbacks, yet this huge extended family remains unaffected. Sickening.

but then William and the Queen unexpectedly turned up and I temperoraily forgot about their privilege

PR, nothing more, nothing less. The royals always turn up at these times, they’re a perfect opportunity to show to let us all think they really care. It keeps the monachy relevant and the money rolling in. It’s so easy for them, with little effort required.

A curtsy to the Queen is a mark of respect, nothing more. If you met her and didn’t bother, you’d just look a bit of a dick. Same as if you refuse to stand for the national anthem

No, you'd look like a dick curtsying to another human being who is no different to you and may actually be considerably less educated or accomplished than you. If a tribe in Africa behaved like this, plenty of people would laugh and call the behaviour "primitive".

Point taken screaming

Ridiculous to compare this to lawyers and judges. In theory, the legal profession is open to anyone to join.

Having respect for the law is hardly the same as respecting an individual who has achieved nothing except been fortunate enough to be born into a family that enjoys unearned wealth.