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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the monarchy will end with the death of Queen Elizabeth 2

492 replies

Gingertea2020 · 27/07/2020 17:43

As an Aussie am curious to know if British monarchy can really prevail beyond life of Queen.

Recently there has been the biography of Megxit and details, intricate, of the fall out between the two Princes and their wives.

Added to this there is the Prince Andrew saga.

With all that is happening in world, will it really continue ?

I can’t imagine a Prince Charles.

I genuinely wonder why the British bother with it all.

OP posts:
derxa · 28/07/2020 12:13

We don't need her, she doesn't do anything that can't be done just as well by someone or something else, she's entirely expendable. Have you heard the accounts of people who actually meet the Queen or get an honour from her? They're completely overwhelmed. People don't want to meet Jenny Bloggs ex-mayor of Hertford, they want to meet HMQ. Strange as it might seem to you.

Alsohuman · 28/07/2020 12:15

@PatriciaPerch

I imagine it is very detached from the reality of people who were furloughed and were forced to watch daytime tv Wink
I expect it is. That’s not “everyone” though.

Whether you think the Queen’s “necessary” or not - who is? The world would go on turning without any of us - she’s greatly loved and respected in this country. The support for the monarchy across all age groups is highly inconvenient for republicans but it doesn’t look as if it’s going anywhere.

CathyorClaire · 28/07/2020 12:23

Charles has all the makings of an excellent King. He has a strong work ethic, engages with people and organisations, has done amazing things with the Duchy, has a sound financial mind

He's as much of a leech as the rest of them and his financial wizardry is and always has been most apparent when it comes to inventive ways to dip into other people's pockets or manipulate legislation to his own benefit.

formerbabe · 28/07/2020 12:26

I actually quite like Charles...he went up in my estimation after Harry's wedding

CathyorClaire · 28/07/2020 12:26

It’s the reality of a whole tranche of society. Wealthy people everywhere live like this

And pay for it out of their own pockets.

Didyousaynutella · 28/07/2020 12:33

Nah they bring money in via tourism and give the gossip columns something to write about.
Take Kate’s clothes. She wears a lot of British designers which translates to success abroad.

Lardlizard · 28/07/2020 12:36

No way, I’d like William to become kind before Charles
As Charles sure he’s a nice enough bloke in rl
He’s not really set the standard having affairs and being rude to the press
William will be a far better king he’s perfect for it

Original poster
Gingertea2020 · 28/07/2020 12:53

@Gremlinsateit I meant that in general most Australian public don’t know much about the GG. The GG and their family haven’t been in the public eye for generations. Their appointment, character and history aren’t very well publicised and neither are they.

OP posts:
Alsohuman · 28/07/2020 13:02

@CathyorClaire

It’s the reality of a whole tranche of society. Wealthy people everywhere live like this

And pay for it out of their own pockets.

Do they? All those people on furlough? I also give you Chequers and Chevening. And I thought William and Kate owned Amner Hall.
Lifeisgenerallyfun · 28/07/2020 13:05

I don’t think it will end, but it will change. I think by the time William is on the throne our monarchy will look very similar to those in other European countries. I suspect both Louis and Charlotte will Grow up to have normal jobs.

SantaClaritaDiet · 28/07/2020 13:06

If we skip Charles, then the crown should go to Anne, then her children.
That would be such a better choice! But the whole point is we don't chose...

redcarbluecar · 28/07/2020 13:07

I think there may be some gradual reform after Charles succeeds, but can’t see any major change coming. The Queen is in her 90s; I think we’d be seeing some sort of push for a republic now if it was likely to happen when she dies - it’s not just something that could appear overnight. I’d be quite happy for the RF to have a lower public profile, but there’s a clear line of succession which I think will be followed. Harry and Meghan aren’t really relevant to it.

lyralalala · 28/07/2020 13:10

And I thought William and Kate owned Amner Hall.

They don't. It's been gifted to them for use by the Queen. It's part of Sandringham Estate.

They don't own it. The Queen loans the main family homes and jewels so they stay in the family, and also so that there is no inheritance tax to pay when she dies (sovereign to sovereign transfers are exempt from IHT)

Alsohuman · 28/07/2020 13:17

If it was a gift they own it. If they don’t, it was a loan. Either way, it’s privately owned.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/07/2020 13:26

I would like Australia to become a republic soon. We gain nothing by being tied to Britain in the way we are

Some of us are amazed you're not; the result of the last referendum was stunning, especially considering what happened to Gough Whitlam

PicsInRed · 28/07/2020 13:27

@Lardlizard

No way, I’d like William to become kind before Charles As Charles sure he’s a nice enough bloke in rl He’s not really set the standard having affairs and being rude to the press William will be a far better king he’s perfect for it
William will be a far better king he’s perfect for it

To be fair, if this is the standard...

"He’s not really set the standard having affairs and being rude to the press"

...then, (reportedly) yes, William's perfect for it.

WinnieLowCo · 28/07/2020 13:28

It will stagger on if william can keep it zipped up.

chinchin77 · 28/07/2020 13:30

Andrew will be the downfall after Gillane (or 'whatever' her name is) is trialled. They are fucked.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 28/07/2020 13:37

Think of all the queens jewellery she has on loan from the British public. She was asked by government to return the jewellery but refused

Well that's one I've not heard before ... any chance of a link?

lyralalala · 28/07/2020 13:40

@Alsohuman

If it was a gift they own it. If they don’t, it was a loan. Either way, it’s privately owned.
It's been gifted for their sole lifetime use. It is part of the Sandringham Estate so is privately owned by the Queen
SantaClaritaDiet · 28/07/2020 13:40

Charles is usually described as not having the smallest clue about the real world

and William as a not really pleasant young man who thinks A LOT about himself

but when you look at their lives, is that surprising? Upper class Diana was still trying to keep some "normality" in her boys life, but William has still been told from birth that he is the future King of England, one of the most important person in this country (and others...) and that he can't do any wrong. He has forever been treated as the royal heir, people bowing in front of him, being adored by pretty young ladies...
It would take a phenomenal person to step away and question yourself, work to get what you want, and learn a little bit of humility,..he's not it. He has never even being given the chance to not be treated as "future King" ever.

And yet people love the concept of Monarchy and having people like him as head of state.

PicsInRed · 28/07/2020 13:45

@WinnieLowCo

It will stagger on if william can keep it zipped up.
Ha! Quite. 🤣
derxa · 28/07/2020 13:46

but William has still been told from birth that he is the future King of England Well they're wrong because there's no such role.

LaurieMarlow · 28/07/2020 13:51

We’ll see approval ratings dip considerably when Charles takes over. Loads of people seem to confuse their admiration for the queen with their support of monarchy as an institution.

Neither Charles nor William have anything like the skills or ability to command respect that Liz has, with William in particularly needing to do some serious growing up. Rocky times ahead.

TheNewLook · 28/07/2020 13:51

I actually think that given everything you’ve said derxa William has turned out remarkably well. We don’t know how he is behind closed doors but his dealings with the public are always well received. He visits people from very different backgrounds to his own and is able to converse and laugh and connect in some small way. He can’t help the family he was born into. I think he’d probably rather not be who he is but what can he do? He has led an extraordinary life of privilege and I think it’s admirable that he is able to come across as “relatively” normal despite that.