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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Abolishing the Monarcy.

880 replies

Helendee · 17/02/2021 12:45

Good or bad idea and reasons for your opinion?
I don’t feel strongly either way but I am curious about what aspects of becoming a Republic are more beneficial than the UK’s stable current system.

OP posts:
AnitaB888 · 18/02/2021 12:16

@Anyoneelsewilldo

"So how on earth do you make the link between removal of a ceremonial monarchy and the potential for a communist dictator to take over the U.K.!"

I didn't make that link.
My point was that sometimes the status quo is better than 'throwing the bay out with the bathwater'. I'm sorry you didn't get that.

The Russian Czar & Family were not 'deposed' - he abdicated on the advice of his general after losing power over the army. This stemmed from heavy losses in WW1. Without the army he could not wield supreme power.

Czar Nicholas' reign had suffered numerous challenges to his authority over the years and this was basically the 'last straw'.

I'm not sure what other geo-political issues you want to put forward to support your argument that my post is 'bonkers'?

AnitaB888 · 18/02/2021 12:17
  • baby
GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom · 18/02/2021 12:17

@DdraigGoch

How is Kate any different? *@GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom* she's not a preachy American.
Would it be ok if she were preachy but still British?
AnitaB888 · 18/02/2021 12:20

@KeflavikAirport

"Are you really so obtuse that you can't see you're making my point for me here?"

No, your point is so obtuse that I don't get it.

DdraigGoch · 18/02/2021 12:21

@KeflavikAirport

Anita I see your Chile in 2019 and raise you... Brexit. Britain is the least stable it's been in a century if not more.
Has tear gas been used on the streets in Britain?
DdraigGoch · 18/02/2021 12:22

@GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom it's the preachy bit that most needed to go. I could probably tolerate an American. Just about.

GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom · 18/02/2021 12:23

[quote DdraigGoch]@GeordieGreigsButtButtZoom it's the preachy bit that most needed to go. I could probably tolerate an American. Just about.[/quote]
That's good of you

However, the point of monarchy is that you don't get to choose...

AnitaB888 · 18/02/2021 12:24

@Nocaloriesinchocolate,
'I strongly object to the next head of MY church being an unrepentant adultery. So unrepentant that he married the woman with whom he committed adultery. Jesus said to the adulterous woman "go and sin no more".'

If you had watched the blessing that the ABC gave the couple after the wedding, it included repenting of their sins.
So far be it for me (or anyone else) to criticise their standing with God.

That ^^ isn't to be taken as support for him as I think he's a buffoon.

Blacktothepink · 18/02/2021 12:26

Get rid!

KeflavikAirport · 18/02/2021 12:30

OK let me try again.

You: Loads of people come to the UK to see the royal family!

Me: No. Loads of people come to the UK to see royal palaces. You can have a royal palace without a royal family, like Versailles.

You: Yes but loads of people come to the UK to see other tourist places too!

Me: Confused

KeflavikAirport · 18/02/2021 12:34

British police use CS gas, tasers, batons and rubber bullets on the streets.

AnitaB888 · 18/02/2021 12:36

Red Dragon,

"Has tear gas been used on the streets in Britain?"

A good point.

We all know that Macron's black leather-coated goons have been using it on French citizens for months (Gilet Jaune) who have been protesting about economic injustices - as well as water cannon, stun grenades and baton charges.

In the protesters’ own eyes, this is not a protest. It is an insurrection which happens mostly at the weekends. Through a series of Saturday putsches, the yellow vests hoped not merely to bring down President Emmanuel Macron but to rip up the constitution of the Fifth Republic and replace representative democracy with popular government.

France also banned the burka - so much for freedom of religion and civil rights.

And all this in a "stable, progressive republic" - I am appalled ! Shock

KeflavikAirport · 18/02/2021 12:38

So what about the actual CIVIL WAR that was going on in GB in my lifetime? How does that make for a "stable, progressive" monarchy?

Elphame · 18/02/2021 12:39

No one in the Establishment thought the British public would vote to leave the EU but we did.

I suspect if there was a vote to abolish the monarchy then the monarchists would be in for a horrible shock.

Time to let the institution die with the current incumbent.

turquoisewaters · 18/02/2021 12:41

Britain is the least stable it's been in a century if not more

There is no instability. It's likely more to do with the pandemic and there are issues in most countries because of this.

AnitaB888 · 18/02/2021 12:43

@KeflavikAirport;

OK let me try again.

You: Loads of people come to the UK to see the royal family!

Me: No. Loads of people come to the UK to see royal palaces. You can have a royal palace without a royal family, like Versailles.

No, people come to see Royal events, such as Trooping the Colour, State Opening of Parliament, or events where Royalty are present such as the Rememberence Service - they also come to see other places of interest not connected to (immediate) royalty

mummmz · 18/02/2021 12:44

Okay first off, I'd like to point out that THE CROWN IS FICTION. And because its for entertainment purposes, its HIGHLY DRAMATIZED. It's based on accounts from royal biographers and sources that aren't even close to the royal family; just spectators only a bit closer to them than the rest of us. It isn't a first-hand account. It isn't a documentary.

“We have always presented The Crown as a drama — and we have every confidence our members understand it's a work of fiction that's broadly based on historical events," a Netflix spokesperson confirmed to EW. "As a result, we have no plans — and see no need — to add a disclaimer."

This^ is what a Netflix Spokesperson said according to EW abt where the confusion has been.

Secondly, I seriously doubt Prince William has had affairs. He seems like a really nice guy and above all else, a good father, and I highly doubt having experienced how poorly Charles treated Diana and how much it affected him and his brother he would repeat the same mistakes and cheat on Kate. He loves his children, and I think he was always serious about staying loyal to whoever he married because he took so much time to propose and settle down (breaking up with Kate twice too) - all so that he could have fun and sleep with as many women as he wanted to before he got married. He seems like a sensible guy, and I think by now he knows how perceptive the media is to pick up on anything the royal family do and I think he wouldn't repeat his father's mistakes even if he wanted to just out of fear of being seen the same way.

These articles should all be taken with a pinch of salt - we need to understand that they're tabloids that need readership so that they don't sink. They do, more often than not, make scandals up. When there aren't any scandals to report, people don't spend time on their websites online and don't buy the papers/magazines. Therefore for stability, they need to make stuff up.

Thirdly, we do need the Monarchy. They cost 67 million quid to the taxpayers but bring in 1.8 BILLION on average every year. They're mostly what tourists come to the UK for. They're more than just statues and ceremonial figures, to be honest, they're a HUGE part of our culture and I cannot stress this enough. There is something that makes us unique to the rest of the world and it's the fact that we've had a steady royal family for more than a thousand years. In the eyes of north Americans and people from other parts of the world, we're the land where fairytales literally take place. Moreover, I know I'm not the only one in thinking some of the past should be kept - only the good bits, obviously. Some traditions do have their charm, and there's something fascinating about the past - when we're exposed to where we came from, we know where to go. The royal family represent that past.

I understand the class conflict it causes, but to be honest, I think the royals Kate, William and their children are, are different than previous generations. The fact that Kate is the first "commoner" to marry into the royal family, how normal William is compared to his (dare I say) much more snooty older family members, and how much more he has been exposed to, just shows that he's different. The royal family have had a very tight-knit circle for a long time but with William's generation it's definitely changing. I personally think William will be a great King, he seems much warmer, kinder and more aware and open than his parents and grandparents. I know for a fact that they'll change even more so with George's generation, given how places like Eton and other private school seem to genuinely be doing the best they can to get more scholarship/bursary funds and fix up the whole old-white-men mentality of running this country.

Also, rich people will and do maintain their status everywhere - in Britain, America, in China, even Argentina - high society is still going to be exclusive, and to be honest, there isn't much going to change by abolishing the monarchy.

I honestly don't want to get into Harry, I do feel like he's been a bit unreasonable with packing up and leaving - I understand the stigma but I feel like they could've gone to extremes in the UK (where everyone loved him to bits) rather than giving up and leaving. I don't respect that. But that's a different story.

AnitaB888 · 18/02/2021 12:45

@KeflavikAirport

OK I'll bite;

"So what about the actual CIVIL WAR that was going on in GB in my lifetime? How does that make for a "stable, progressive" monarchy?'

What 'Civil War'? I didn't think you were that old. Grin

TheLaughingGenome · 18/02/2021 12:46

When did you last do it? [curtseying]

Ballet class, probably, now I come to think of it, @VinylDetective.

Many years ago, we were supposed to curtsey to Prince Pip when he visited our school to inspect our very dismal DoE efforts, but when he walked in my group were playing our musical instruments so we just carried on, looking innocent.

When I met Sophie Wessex at a conference on autism I just shook her hand. Some twat next to me did a very low bow, but no-one curtseyed that I can recall. Just lots of non-committal head bobbing.

I think it's clear the whole thing embarrasses people, especially women who are 'supposed' to curtsey.

It's really one for the sycophants, I think.

DuchenneParent · 18/02/2021 12:47

I would like to see it made purely symbolic, certainly wrt funding from taxpayer money.

I think it would need to be replaced with an alternative system of checks and balances though.

LongDistanceClaret · 18/02/2021 12:47

I’m not looking forward to Charles becoming king. He seems particularly dim-witted imo. I mean, imagine having the best education that money can buy, the best tutors in the land.... and you just scrape 2 A Levels. I think we deserve an intelligent head of state. It just seems to irritate me (maybe irrationally so).

I’d love someone like Michael Palin to do it Grin

MsMiaWallace · 18/02/2021 12:51

I think there is a great deal of intelligent behind his Princes Trust charity & other organisations he has founded to be fair.

jasjas1973 · 18/02/2021 13:02

we do need the Monarchy. They cost 67 million quid to the taxpayers but bring in 1.8 BILLION on average every year. They're mostly what tourists come to the UK for. They're more than just statues and ceremonial figures, to be honest, they're a HUGE part of our culture and I cannot stress this enough

4 x as more people visit Versailles than Buck house, why? because you can go into that ex royal palace.

You can stress it all you like, its just your opinion, many people disagree, just 49% support QE, 3% Charles.

Bit like Brexit, the older you are, the more likely you support the monarchy.

Pedallleur · 18/02/2021 13:03

But tourists come to see everything surrounding the RD. No one sees them except for senior civil servants and politicians. If the Royal Family were shipped out quietly how would we know they aren't in Britain. @mummys we haven't had a stable monarchy. Various kings and queens have been and gone, died or been killed. We've scratched around for distant relations hence house of Orange and Hanover. There hasn't been a steady line of succession. I suspect Royal finances are kept murky so no one knows what is spent where and how. Like Parliamentary expenses but on A much bigger scale.

mummmz · 18/02/2021 13:03

Also, what about the over 1,000 employees the royal family has?

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