To wonder if Britain will always have a monarchy...

[DrinkSangriaInThePark]

... Or if not, how/when will British people get the opportunity to disband it?

I'm not from England, I'm Irish living in Ireland by the way, and I don't have very strong feelings for or against the British Royal family. But I seem to be hearing a lot of criticism of, and annoyance at, the Royal family recently, and I'm just wondering if there could ever be a referendum to decide whether the idea of a monarchy is outdated and unnecessary?

Again, I'm totally unbiased one way or another, but just wondering if the monarchy has to stay forever, just because it has always been there. With a democratic government, will be there ever be a time when it's deemed an unnecessary cost?

Harry was relatively important until William had children. Now he’ll never realistically be King and is far enough removed to not matter any more. He’s no different to Peter Phillips etc and needs to vanish into obscurity with the Queen’s other grandchildren.

I agree. Harry was ‘the spare’ for the first 29 years of his life, but that situation ended when George came along. He is now outside the direct line of succession, therefore he is a minor royal. His children should have no title and should be expected to support themselves like everyone else.

They bring in an absolute fortune through tourism. Look at the recent weddings ........all those people lining the streets a lot will have travelled on public transport, will use hotels, restaurants and shops.

They might not have any real say these days but they do have a place and through setting up schemes such as the princes trust, the Duke of Edinburgh awards etc do a lot of good that I don't think a lot of people are aware of.

More money was wasted on the concept of a fucking garden bridge.
I mean. Come on.

Given the other options of a Monarchy or President I'd take the Monarchy every time and twice on a Sunday. One level of elected politicians is enough.
As for a referendum? What's the point, no one takes any notice if the 'wrong' answer wins.

Ireland had a monarchy under a High King centuries ago and obviously monarchs or chieftains of each province. Every monarchy has its day! Not even a British monarchy can last for ever ;)

She has eight grandchildren. Five of them are married. Four of them have children of their own.

Yes, but only two of them belong to the next Monarch, and one of them is Harry. If we're talking hangers on, the other six grandchildren are less relevant.

Primark is more popular with the tourists ive met than the royals.

Pretty much everyone has an admiration for the queen but few have got any affection for Charles. I think the appetite for the monarchy will go down once he is crowned king and we need to have a rethink.

William seems spoiled and lacking in enthusiasm. He even looked bored during his wedding service. He's popular right now because of Kate and his cute kids, I doubt that will last forever.

Eustasiavye. What a nasty post.

Dps friend is having to come to England to marry, seeing as she has a child so cannot get married there.

WTAF? Are you mad?

If you think this is true then you need to visit Ireland pronto. What a load of made-up shit! Half of Ireland have kids before they get married!!!!

That's such ignorant bullshit.

The tourism thing is nonsense. How many tourists come here to see the queen? I live in London and have seen the queen about 3 times. Versailles gets far more tourists than anywhere in the U.K. and they chopped their royals heads off. How often is there a royal wedding? I bet most people lining the streets to have a gawp weren't tourists. There lots of military style parades like trooping the colour in other countries which have nothing to do with royals.

I think things will change when we’re in a place where no one experienced our current Queen on the throne. A lot of Royalists are really Queenists and it’s her they love, not the RF themselves so we will see changes.

Harry won’t be superfluous until George is 18. With the chance of the Queen and Charles going in relatively quick succession (possibly even Charles first given how unhealthy he looks) they’ll want Harry around as a potential regent for George should anything happen to William. [i actually think that issue is more likely to be behind any rift between them than anything else]

In PR terms I’m amazed that the royals never make a bigger deal of how much of the sovereign grant is spent on state visits. Yes, they still get a huge chunk of money for themselves, but in their shoes I’d definitely be highlighting the costs of hosting Trump and the likes when they don’t do the inviting, but do foot the cost of hosting. They have spectacularly poor PR, which if you’re trying to hang on to a position of privilege is surprising

We tried it before. In 1649 we executed our king and abolished the monarchy. After 11 years of the alternative - which included two blokes called Cromwell acting as Lord Protector - we brought back the monarchy.

As we've not had a republic since 1660, maybe it's time for another go at it.

Yes, because it went so well last time. We’re supposed to learn from history.

I think after all this time we can move on from that.

Really? What do you suggest?

Boris Johnson for Lord Protector.

Last one to leave the island put a note out for the milkman.

Maybe look at ireland as a role model. The presidential system seems to be working well there.

I'm trying to think how many of our previous PMs I would want to have as a President with more power than they had as a PM.

Blimey, yes, loads of them.

Not.

Why would the president have to be a politician ?

The Irish presidency costs a fuck ton of money. I’m with you @ShatnersWig.