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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Monarchy Abolished?

540 replies

malibuloving · 19/08/2019 17:52

Other threads have inspired me Grin

Do you think we’ll ever live to see the Royals gone or perhaps our children will?

I can see public support for it to be abolished once the Queens gone. I feel like they’ve had too many chances at this point. The cover up of Andrews vile friendship with the sexual predator Epstein and the awful things Andrew probably did plus the pictures with teenagers has been an outrage. I also really like Harry and Meghan but their hypocrisy is quite embarrassing how they’re banging on about climate change and then jetting off across the globe on private jets. And more and more for all royals.

AIBU to think their time is up soon

OP posts:
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5
NoTheresa · 22/08/2019 11:42

LaMarschallin

BertrandRussell

I have no problem with people saying negative things about MM.

I think you do. In my opinion (which may be wrong) you pounce on any threads about MM or Harry.

I think most regular users of the board will accept this is the case.

NoTheresa · 22/08/2019 11:43

LaMarschallin

BertrandRussell

I have no problem with people saying negative things about MM.

I think you do. In my opinion (which may be wrong) you pounce on any threads about MM or Harry.

I think most regular users of the board will accept this is the case.

Littletabbyocelot · 22/08/2019 11:55

I think for me the discussion on prorouging parliament and ignoring a vote of no confidence has moved me from not bothered to republican. Not because of brexit as an issue but the principle that the prime minister - someone the general public didn't elect and who represents a huge shift right from the government who did win the most votes - can effectively envoke a dictatorship for an unspecified period of time and there is nothing to stop him. Trump may be repugnant but there are checks and balances.

BertrandRussell · 22/08/2019 12:05

David Attenborough? That hypocrite- preaching about climate change while flying all over the world making films about animals for our entertainment and his self image.

BertrandRussell · 22/08/2019 12:09

“I think you do. In my opinion (which may be wrong) you pounce on any threads about MM or Harry.

I think most regular users of the board will accept this is the case.”

Find me something that Meghan has done which is worse than anyone else in the ridiculously over privileged, ludicrously rich waste of space royal family has done and I’ll cheerfully criticise her more than I criticise the others. And I don’t include posting half a dozen “inspiring” quotes on Insta. I’ll wait.

ScreamingValenta · 22/08/2019 12:18

It's the institution that's at fault, not the individuals in it. As individuals, the Royals' behaviour is, on the whole, no worse or better than that of any average person on the street - and that's the point. Flawed human beings shouldn't be set up as superior to the rest of us and lavished with privilege.

Gobbolinocat · 22/08/2019 12:32

I think there is very basic lack of understanding human nature being shoe horned into something more sinister. I was v young when Sarah Ferguson did that awful royal knock out, but even I was cringing. I remember the awful toe suckling fiasco. That's because she then was the new into the royals young swishy girl, like Diana before her.
It was Kate, waity Katy and her gum chewing mum.... Awful press about her and now, because they have just had a large glam wedding, she's beautiful... Exciting has this incredibly awful family... It's Megan!

It's back to gladiator stuff... Raise them high, crush them low. Its basic human nature.

And I still can't get Iver the obsession with them when we have new scandal involving Andy!

It's almost like andys involvement with convicted pedophile isn't on the list of things to be angry about in certain quarters?

Livingtothefull · 22/08/2019 12:39

'I think for me the discussion on prorouging parliament and ignoring a vote of no confidence has moved me from not bothered to republican'.

Agree with Littletabbyocelot on this. The lack of checks and balances has been thrown into relief by the Brexit debacle - we have effectively had a right wing coup and no means to oppose it.

We need a written constitution and an elected head of state who has a clearly defined powers to actively intervene when circumstances called for it.

I don't think Harry and Meghan are worse than any of the others, they are all a waste of space. Although I have to say that while there is still a question over the Duke of York's conduct - where lawyers for his victims are urging him to provide sworn testimony on 'everything he knows' about Epstein and has been unable to provide an explanation for the photograph of him with an arm around an accuser's waist, hand clutching her bare midriff - it is a little premature for our Head of State to put on a public show of support for him. I personally think that was deeply inappropriate.

TheFaerieQueene · 22/08/2019 12:44

As much as I find the whole premise of a monarchy objectionable, I can’t see it going any time soon. What I do think should happen is the end of the free ride for anyone who isn’t the monarch and is a competent adult. They don’t have a title, they don’t live in state owned property and they are not bowed to. They can work in the real world and earn a living.
We don’t need royal pomp and ceremony. The majority of the country don’t do religion but these interminable religious ceremonies to mark events has no place in a modern society.
There should be no diplomatic privilege for the hanger-ons. These people need to know that they are no more special than anyone else.

LaMarschallin · 22/08/2019 12:46

BertrandRussell

“I think you do. In my opinion (which may be wrong) you pounce on any threads about MM or Harry.

I think most regular users of the board will accept this is the case.”

Find me something that Meghan has done which is worse than anyone else in the ridiculously over privileged, ludicrously rich waste of space royal family has done and I’ll cheerfully criticise her more than I criticise the others. And I don’t include posting half a dozen “inspiring” quotes on Insta. I’ll wait.

I don't know if you're replying to me or to NoTheresa who quoted my post.

I certainly can't find anything that Meghan (look at me on first name terms with her! Fancy or what?) has done that's worse than any other member of the royal family.

I think I've said that over and over again.

I've also said that I think criticism of her is - a lot of the time - based on racism: "uppity": wrong. I've called the Daily Mail (because of some articles) "vile racists"*. On this very board.

But I do think there's a sort of anti-racism that leads people to accept no criticism of MM because her mother is black.

That goes on to include no criticism of prince Harry being allowed because his mother in law is black. (Obviously, MiLs are always wrong... joke!).
So Harry could wave a cigarette around and tell us to stop smoking. We know the evidence. Smoking is bad.
Hand on heart, Bertrand, would you have defended any other member of the royal family for doing that? If you weren't trying to make a point about racism.

So, in your way of questioning:

Can you find me somewhere when you've protected a royal family member who is not Meghan Markle? Or married to her?

BertrandRussell · 22/08/2019 12:55

“Can you find me somewhere when you've protected a royal family member who is not Meghan Markle? Or married to her?“

Nope. I think they should all be abolished. (I hope you note that I’ve stopped saying Ds of C and S because I can’t trust myself to get then the right way round, and I’m using first names- even though my old fashioned soul rebels......

I think I talked about smoking because it was annoying me that somehow Harry was damaging the message. I remember people in the early days of the conversation about the dangers of smoking objecting to being “lectured” and saying they would smoke even more because of it. There is certainly a hint of that about some of the Harry detractors. He’s putting across a good message if a bit crack handedky. At least he accepts that climate change is real. Attack him for his very dodgy position on animal cruelty if you want to attack him for something.

Diagonalli · 22/08/2019 12:57

in the minority here but i'm pro royal & definitely want to keep them. Andrew is clearly in trouble but why should one bad apple spoil the entire cart?

ScreamingValenta · 22/08/2019 13:03

What I do think should happen is the end of the free ride for anyone who isn’t the monarch and is a competent adult.

Yes, that would be a step in the right direction. Monarch, spouse and dependants only might be an acceptable compromise for the pro-Royalists.

I think (and hope) the whole monarchy will be abolished eventually, but I doubt it will be in my lifetime.

LaMarschallin · 22/08/2019 13:18

Oh, Bertrand, I do like you! You make me smile and, apart from one thing, I think we share ideals

I was really disappointed when you said the thing about smoking (I've a phobia about smoking; a genuine phobia, not some random MN diagnosis about narcissism etc). It stuck with me due to that. And I didn't think you were worried about Harry damaging that particular message. Another poster said that his stance on climate change while using private jets was like telling people not to smoke while smoking.

So I don't think you were annoyed about Harry damaging that message.

It's my opinion - which may be completely wrong - that you'd have defended Harry regardless of what anyone said he did.

He is a bit cack (crack? Not sure of the right terminology now) handed.
Loads of royals and other celebrities are.

I don't particularly want to to "attack" him any more than than anybody else in the public eye. But, yes, I'm sure his polo ponies don't love him.

BertrandRussell · 22/08/2019 13:19

“I think (and hope) the whole monarchy will be abolished eventually, but I doubt it will be in my lifetime”
You may wish to join my virtual “book” on this. The pot currently stands at 115 quid....

LaMarschallin · 22/08/2019 13:24

And PS:

Yes, it would be very stupid indeed to carry on smoking/flying in private jets/paying thousands of pounds on a dress just because those people (who tell us not to) do it.

Zenithbear · 22/08/2019 13:25

I'd be happy to see them all gone. They have enormous privilege from birth.
Some people shouldn't be born supposedly better than others.

BertrandRussell · 22/08/2019 13:26

“It's my opinion - which may be completely wrong - that you'd have defended Harry regardless of what anyone said he did”
Nope.
No time for supporters of blood sports. Plenty of genuine stuff to challenge him on. No need to make anything up.

I do object to the lazy “ignore the message if the messenger is not perfect” tendency. It allows us to take ourselves off the hook.

And I don’t think many of the people crying “hypocrite” actually give a flying fuck about the environment.

LaMarschallin · 22/08/2019 13:26

The pot currently stands at 115 quid....

Does that include my £5?

Gobbolinocat · 22/08/2019 13:29

Mm is certainly the only royal I've seen vocal republicans defend. But I also didn't know vocal republicans go to the queen's Gardens parties?

BertrandRussell · 22/08/2019 13:34

“But I also didn't know vocal republicans go to the queen's Gardens parties?”
Why on earth not? There was cake! I also watch royal weddings and like chatting about frocks and jewels and scandals. I believe in getting my money’s worth as much as I can.

LaMarschallin · 22/08/2019 13:35

BertrandRussell

"It's my opinion - which may be completely wrong - that you'd have defended Harry regardless of what anyone said he did”
Nope
No time for supporters of blood sports. Plenty of genuine stuff to challenge him on. No need to make anything up.

I really do believe you. And please accept my apologies in that case.

I do object to the lazy “ignore the message if the messenger is not perfect” tendency. It allows us to take ourselves off the hook.

And I don’t think many of the people crying “hypocrite” actually give a flying fuck about the environment.

Both fair points. (And, honestly, if you read my posts back - don't! You'll die of boredom! - you'll see I agree).
But I defend my right to think MM is a bit of a hypocrite (along with others) without people thinking I'm racist.

NoTheresa · 22/08/2019 13:39

But I do think there's a sort of anti-racism that leads people to accept no criticism of MM because her mother is black.

MM self-identified as Caucasian at least once. Where does that leave the accusers?
And it does seem to suggest something quite significant about her perception of herself, given that the infamous “one drop” concept is at odds with her decision.

BertrandRussell · 22/08/2019 13:41

“But I defend my right to think MM is a bit of a hypocrite (along with others) without people thinking I'm racist“
Yep- so do I. I only think that people who have shown themselves to be racist are racist.

Your fiver’s safe, by the way. Or at least as safe as it can be in the hands of a tout.

NoTheresa · 22/08/2019 13:41

But I defend my right to think MM is a bit of a hypocrite (along with others) without people thinking I'm racist.

That is a right not afforded to anyone posting here.