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AIBU?

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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:
dotoallasyouwouldbedoneby · 27/07/2020 19:45

@TracyBeakerSoYeah

I'd rather have a King or Queen as head of state rather than an elected muppet like Donald Trump.
This although I didn't think this when I was younger!
StillCoughingandLaughing · 27/07/2020 19:45

Was she supposed to toe the line and behave or was she meant to be this empowered feminist not scared to share her opinions on things?

The problem was she wanted the platform for those opinions - the kind of platform she would never have had as an actress - but none of the difficulties; specifically the lack of privacy. You can’t say ‘I just want to be left alone by the press’ but then court them when you want coverage for your latest speech about the environment, women’s rights or race relations.

FrippEnos · 27/07/2020 19:47

"they" got lucky with Meghan too, shame some haters took her as an easy target and pushed her young family away.

She has as many sycophants as haters.

And given the book that she wanted to be written was started before she was married and now she seems to want to distance herself from it, just like she has done to so many of her friends.

AgeLikeWine · 27/07/2020 19:49

I certainly hope so, but I’m not optimistic. I have a great deal of personal respect for the Queen but the monarchy is an anachronism in the 21st century. In democratic societies, people should choose their own leaders.

I would support replacing the monarchy with an elected figurehead presidency with a mainly ceremonial role along the lines of the German or Irish models. The salary could be the same as the Prime Minister’s and Clarence House might be a suitable residence. Any member of the Windsor family who wished to stand for election to such a role would be welcome to do so.

All the monarchy’s palaces, castles, estates, artworks etc etc would be sold off and the proceeds used to create a sovereign wealth fund for the benefit of the whole country.

safariboot · 27/07/2020 19:52

YABU.

At least in Britain, I think the death of the Queen really won't feel like the appropriate time to end the monarchy. For those who support the monarchy it will be a time of mourning and reflection. For those opposed, frankly it will be a distasteful time to be vocal in that opposition. The next monarch could be the last, but I expect there will be a next monarch. Though it's plausible it will be William, either by Charles immediately or promptly abdicating or by him passing away before the Queen does.

Of course the other Commonwealth realms are free to go their own ways.

Personally, notwithstanding some of the recent issues with some of the royals, I look at the elected Presidents in some other countries and I think I don't want that here.

GetOffYourHighHorse · 27/07/2020 19:52

'Funny that he’s been happy for the last 30-something years and just suddenly decided to quit now'

Maybe he wasn't, perhaps Harry was a seething mass of resentment and anger. He always believed it was 100% the media's fault for his mother's death. Its such a shame they didn't just get married quietly then naff off to live privately, he seems to want to drag everyone down with him.

FrippEnos · 27/07/2020 19:55

AgeLikeWine
All the monarchy’s palaces, castles, estates, artworks etc etc would be sold off and the proceeds used to create a sovereign wealth fund for the benefit of the whole country.

For about five minutes before the self serving government (which ever side of the political twattery they are) would take it all and fuck it up the walls for their own and their mates gain.

MaddieElla · 27/07/2020 20:13

Nah, people want King William and Queen Katherine

Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/07/2020 20:26

There is no power as such these days, it’s all just tradition

I find it genuinely frightening that some really believe this, and can only think it's because the Queen's never abused her powers

Unfortunately that's no guarantee that a less rational monarch wouldn't

Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/07/2020 20:28

perhaps Harry was a seething mass of resentment and anger

If so, he made a hell of a good job hiding it for all those years - and TBH I'm not convinced he has the intelligence to have kept that up

SantaClaritaDiet · 27/07/2020 20:30

Alsohuman

Anyone who asks questions like this is revealing breathtaking ignorance of our political system and what constitutes a republic.

some of us have experienced a bit more than our tiny country and probably know a bit more about a republic than you do. Wink

It's not all about a president wearing the Queen Crown Jewels instead of her GrinGrinGrin

Brahumbug · 27/07/2020 20:35

The monarchy does have real powers, the frightening thing is that they are exercised by the prime minister. Anything which is 'royal prerogative' can not be questioned by parliament. We should have a ceremonial president. There should be a ban on any politician from having the role.

purplecorkheart · 27/07/2020 20:48

I don't think it will be it will be the end but it will be a huge start. Prince Charles is already stream lining the Royal Family as far as I can see. I think it will be the beginning of the end.

PotholeParadise · 27/07/2020 20:51

To be honest, I can well believe Harry has been a seething ball of anger and resentment in private.

Alsohuman · 27/07/2020 20:51

@SantaClaritaDiet

Alsohuman

Anyone who asks questions like this is revealing breathtaking ignorance of our political system and what constitutes a republic.

some of us have experienced a bit more than our tiny country and probably know a bit more about a republic than you do. Wink

It's not all about a president wearing the Queen Crown Jewels instead of her GrinGrinGrin

No of course it isn’t, in answer to your last comment, although that’s what you initially implied.

You have no idea where I’ve lived or what I know. You know what they say about assumption.

CathyorClaire · 27/07/2020 20:59

@albatrossdreams

I don't feel massively sorry for them because they have a life of priviledge

I don't feel they have a life of privilege. Lack of privacy and normal life and agency over one's own life. Must be crap.
The only argument for ending the monarchy I agree with is that it is just not fair on the poor sods born into it.

They are and always have been free to renounce it all.

Fairly telling that only one in modern times ever has.

CathyorClaire · 27/07/2020 21:05

@PotholeParadise

To be honest, I can well believe Harry has been a seething ball of anger and resentment in private.
That particular loose cannon has been cleverly and expensively spun for years.
Oakmaiden · 27/07/2020 21:15

I don'k the monarchy in Britain will ever come to an abrupt end, but I think their status will continue to change so that they become less and less relevant and are funded less and less via taxes.

Our monarchy is significantly more expensive than that of other European countries. The process of slimming down has started over the past decades, and I am sure will continue.

Pixxie7 · 27/07/2020 21:15

The main benefit of a monarchy in my view is we are unlikely to get a dictator as president as seen in so many countries.

carltongirl · 27/07/2020 21:20

Wish you were right OP but the Brits are a nation of forelock-tuggers and the show will go on, at vast expense...

SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/07/2020 21:23

It won't end with the Queen, because the Queen is never going to die

Good point Bridge.

It took about 600 years and 87 new hips to get rid of the Queen Mother, and medical science has moved on since then. Yep - Liz'll be here for a couple more millennia yet.

PotholeParadise · 27/07/2020 21:24

CathyorClaire And glimpses of rebellion still came through, even if it just got called being a 'party prince'.

He was affable and easy-going in carefully curated photo ops, but that just means he's got an ounce of self control.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/07/2020 21:27

The thought of Boris' face on the currency is rather amusing, though of course no one thinks that's what would really happen

No - it would be Dominic Scummings.

saltycat · 27/07/2020 21:28

We haven't seen any of them (apart from Sir Tom's day out and the private wedding), since March.

Did anyone miss them? I didn't, are we still paying for them, probably.

The King of Spain is now embroiled in money matters to do with his father, it comes down the line eventually no matter, as he will inherit the millions.

Anyway, they do not serve many purposes now apart from fending off scandals really, and costing us a fortune. But I am sure someone will be along soon to tell me it costs me 40p a year to fund them or something.

MyNameIsArthur · 27/07/2020 21:29

I think that once the Queen dies, the Royal family should be wound down in some way. It's an anachronism. Nobody should have that kind of privilege

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