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Original poster

To think Prince Charles will be our last Monarch

341 replies

Jemima232 · 29/08/2019 09:49

Given that it could be another thirty years before Prince Charles dies, I was wondering if he will be our last Monarch.

I think that a lot will have changed by the time Prince William is due to accede the throne and that the Monarchy will have been abolished by then.

OP posts:
leckford · 31/08/2019 08:05

Many other countries have monarchs and they are very popular, Denmark, Sweden, Holland etc. The U.K. monarchy is also very popular apart from leftists who are always moaning about everything.

BertrandRussell · 31/08/2019 08:08

“Can anyone remember the charities that Diana used to support?“

Actually, I can remember a couple. But considering it’s 30 years which she was an active royal I don’t see the relevance....

CurlyWurlyTwirly · 31/08/2019 08:36

Diana ditched about 100 charities when she lost her hrh.
She had a pretty diverse remit:
AIDS, Centrepoint, Landmines (Halo trust), National Ballet, Great Ormond Street.

BertrandRussell · 31/08/2019 08:38

And for those of us old enough to remember, her work with HIV/AIDS was pretty remarkable.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 09:01

Funnily enough, I was at the Middlesex hospital the day she came in and famously shook the hand of a patient with AIDS.

I think there'd been a bit of hope that she might stay a little bit longer than she did, but she and - by coincidence the press - left the ward almost simultaneously.

It did help raise the profile of an awful illness and destigmatise somewhat.

Prof. Michael Adler at the Middlesex also did some pretty remarkable work with HIV/AIDS too.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 09:03

(As a by the by, sadly the Middlesex no longer exists. It was twinned with University College Hospital for a while - and called by some the Unisex as a joke - but the building is now defunct)

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 09:11

And, on reflection, royal schedules must be very tight and of course the press would leave with Diana.

I was just jealous that nobody photographed me talking to someone and looking concerned.

BertrandRussell · 31/08/2019 09:16

Of course loads of people have done amazing things in the field.
I was just pointing out that in terms of public awareness and destigmatizing her involvement was very effective. Just goes to show how easily swayed the great British public are.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 09:18

Just goes to show how easily swayed the great British public are.

I certainly agree on that!

joyfullittlehippo · 31/08/2019 11:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 11:44

I was a small child when Diana died but without even thinking about it I know she was famous for land mines and work with AIDS patients.

Sigh. You youthful thing, you Envy (definitely envy).

I'm not sure what "work" she did with AIDS patients apart from touching the odd one or being photographed with them.

Which is pretty much standard royal work, it seems to me. You know, handshaking, asking the odd question and smiling and nodding. I think she most certainly wouldn't have been seen near an AIDS patient if it had been felt there was any danger to her whatsoever.

But the photos did help break down barriers with those who couldn't take the scientific evidence on board, assuredly. Shame that's necessary but "a picture is worth a thousand words".

Doubtless, Kate will go and gaze at someone with mental health problems soon, looking intent and wearing "worried eyebrows".

In years to come, it could be much the same thing.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 11:46

"Doubtless" was a bit strong, perhaps.
But she may well do.

BertrandRussell · 31/08/2019 11:57

It’s actually the best/only thing the rf can do. Publicity. Pictures in the press. Consciousness raising. That’s why being low key like Kate means you don’t even begin to earn your keep.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 12:15

It’s actually the best/only thing the rf can do. Publicity. Pictures in the press. Consciousness raising. That’s why being low key like Kate means you don’t even begin to earn your keep.

I quite agree.

We probably don't need any of them.
Any trusted figure (David Attenborough? Dame Judi?) could interact with poorly patients.
Or even just one one poorly patient.
To show that you couldn't catch HIV/AIDS by breathing the same air.
And not need all the security that might put out all the other patients and their visitors.

(I felt quite strongly about that)

C8H10N4O2 · 31/08/2019 12:48

I'm not sure what "work" she did with AIDS patients apart from touching the odd one or being photographed with them

A major Royal, physically touching, holding hands with and hugging AIDS patients was massively important at a time when the tabloids were talking about "gay plague", people were sacked and shunned if they had even a connection with someone who was HIV+ and when ill people were portrayed as evil. It did a lot to help change public views and some of the appalling treatment of AIDS patients at the time.

Kate does nothing even close to that in terms of "risky" charities. Mental Health for children is a good cause but its a pretty conventional royal woman's choice and eminently socially acceptable these days.

Now if she was visiting patients committed to Broadmoor and campaigning for research and adult treatment of some of the less socially acceptiable MH conditions/classes of people that would be a closer comparison point in terms of tabloid/public perception.

BertrandRussell · 31/08/2019 12:53

And at a risk of sounding like a broken record, at least some of Meghan’s charities address issues experienced by marginalised groups. And her endorsement has produced a significant increase in revenue for them.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 13:00

I'm not sure what "work" she did with AIDS patients apart from touching the odd one or being photographed with them

A major Royal, physically touching, holding hands with and hugging AIDS patients was massively important

Yes, absolutely.
I don't see that any of the activities described differ from "touching".

The phrase "physically touching" doesn't make shaking hands etc different.

I didn't mean to suggest that she just "touched their hearts emotionally" or something.
Skin to skin contact was definitely made.

BertrandRussell · 31/08/2019 13:24

She also took William and Harry to meet people with HIV/AIDS.

lyralalala · 31/08/2019 13:30

I think with HIV/Aids and landmines Diana wasn't afraid of the political backlash that came with it.

I don't think we'll ever see Kate (or any of them) do anything bigger with mental health because one of the biggest issues with mental health at the moment is the systemic underfunding, and stripping of funding from mental health care. To actively mark that would be a direct political statement having a go at the government of the day.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 13:35

She also took William and Harry to meet people with HIV/AIDS.

Yes she did.

Pretty sure she would have known she wasn't risking her children's lives and, again, it was good publicity.
For people with that disease (Look! Talking to me and holding my hand won't kill you. Royals do it. Please be nice and try to understand the science; perhaps the news pictures will help) and also possibly for Diana, I suppose.

LaMarschallin · 31/08/2019 13:36

To actively mark that would be a direct political statement having a go at the government of the day.

Now, to my mind, that is a good point.

lyralalala · 31/08/2019 14:17

Now, to my mind, that is a good point.

I wouldn't disagree, but the turkeys are not going to vote for Christmas.

HIVpos · 31/08/2019 15:36

I knew Diana for a while years back before she was married. I never would have thought then how grateful I’d one day be to her for her work in reducing HIV stigma, and also now to her son for continuing her work and raising awareness.

There’s still a ways to go though!

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 31/08/2019 18:42

I really don't think so, although I bet William would be quite happy with that!