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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
HeidiHaughton · 17/02/2021 13:28

Charles was quite a dish back in the day. He's holding his own hair wise compared to his sons.

NotFrozen · 17/02/2021 13:29

Abolish

BlueTimes · 17/02/2021 13:30

@CoronaIsWatching

But The Crown is largely sensationalised fiction!

Name one event portrayed in The Crown that didn't happen

So you were privy to all the personal conversations that took place and were repeated in The Crown which changed the bias of how everything on there was portrayed to know I’m wrong and it didn’t happen?? Please! Grin
Candleabra · 17/02/2021 13:30

I agree it is time for a serious rethink.
It's been illuminating how the palace PR machine managed to spin Prince Harry as an endearing, personable and down to earth young man.
Since leaving the protection of the royal family he has been exposed as an overwhelmingly stupid and entitled individual. His whining about mistreatment and perceived slights has been an insult to those who pay for his lavish lifestyle.

VinylDetective · 17/02/2021 13:31

I suspect Diana wanted to be a Princess but didn't really want Charles

Very perceptive, a bit like someone else wanting to be King of the World but not wanting to do the work entailed in the job.

I’d be fine with a slimmed down Scandinavian style monarchy but I don’t want to lose it completely.

AndPatraWillNeverSayNever · 17/02/2021 13:31

But when it could potentially be beneficial for her to 'meddle' (eg illegal prorogation of Parliament) they are as much use of a chocolate teapot

This is contrary to what the monarchy's supporters assure us is their role. From the British Monarchist League: (the Queen) acts as a checks and balances system to protect her people from an unjust and oppressive Parliament' - not many checks and balances in practice I am afraid

Yes, she does sweet f all when it really isn't a bother to her. Just gives a nice, well crafted stage-managed speech for "boosting morale" and calls it a day.

Neron · 17/02/2021 13:32

I don't feel they have a place in society now, so abolish.
In terms of revenue 'they' bring in from tourism, I wonder how much would be generated if tourists could go in Buckingham Palace (fully) for example. I think private tours would be an excellent income source.

Charley50 · 17/02/2021 13:34

After the queen dies I'd like it abolished. We will still have the fascinating history and palaces to share, but a monarchy irrelevant now.
What is PPs beef with having an elected head of state?

BlueTimes · 17/02/2021 13:35

@josieorange

Prince Harry grew up with so much speculation about whether his father was someone else, his mum was hounded to death being chased by the press, and then the press and much of the country was racist towards his wife. Too right he left the country, he's the only sensible one out of the lot of them.
Didn’t William grow up in exactly the same situation, except on top of it all he was also his mother’s confidential sounding board.

I don’t think any of them are necessarily sensible. I don’t blame Harry for leaving the family (although he hasn’t, as he hasn’t quit the line of succession) but equally I don’t think William isn’t showing sense by staying.

josieorange · 17/02/2021 13:39

Maybe William wishes he could jack it all in and go to California too BlueTimes who knows. Bit different I suppose if you are going to be King and quite literally Lord it over an entire country with servants meeting your every whim and with a reasonably good say in things.

Also, William didn't have the 'who's the real dad' speculation or the racist treatment of his wife, so that's why I don't blame Harry for leaving, at least he's making his own way financially now, which the rest of them should be looking to do as well.

Hairbrush123 · 17/02/2021 13:39

Actually the most democratic countries have a monarchy (well most) so I wouldn’t say it’s undemocratic as such. I’d love to see a referendum on the matter.

VinylDetective · 17/02/2021 13:42

I’d love to see a referendum on the matter

Please God, no! One of those in a life time was one too many.

BrumBoo · 17/02/2021 13:42

Since leaving the protection of the royal family he has been exposed as an overwhelmingly stupid and entitled individual. His whining about mistreatment and perceived slights has been an insult to those who pay for his lavish lifestyle.

This 'idea' about Harry began as soon as it became obvious the and Meghan were serious. The worse the media became about her, the more annoyed and 'private' he became. This in turn pissed off the media and British people even more, as how dare he have any other function other than 'smile, wave and be the slightly cheeky Royal'?

He hasn't don't anything wrong, he was already aware of how the media can turn the Average Patriotic Brit into a rabid mess, baying for blood over Royals (especially the women). I would imagine it must have been the easy choice to hop on a plane and give the metaphorical two-fingers after everything he's been through.

PicsInRed · 17/02/2021 13:43

@HeidiHaughton

They add a touch of glamour to the nation. I'd rather the queen that a dreadful woman like Melania Trump.
France has plenty of glamour and they've had vacant possession of their palaces for 250 years.
Whammyyammy · 17/02/2021 13:43

I think the monarchy woukd be supported more if refreshed with Wills and Kate as king and queen.
If Charles and Camilla take over.... then I think its stuffed.

Livingtothefull · 17/02/2021 13:48

@Whammyyammy

I think the monarchy woukd be supported more if refreshed with Wills and Kate as king and queen. If Charles and Camilla take over.... then I think its stuffed.
But the nature of hereditary monarchy is that we don't get to pick and choose.
GreenlandTheMovie · 17/02/2021 13:48

@josieorange

Prince Harry grew up with so much speculation about whether his father was someone else, his mum was hounded to death being chased by the press, and then the press and much of the country was racist towards his wife. Too right he left the country, he's the only sensible one out of the lot of them.
He really does not have a good reputation for treating women well...
oneglassandpuzzled · 17/02/2021 13:51

@CoronaIsWatching

Prince Andrew is just what they're all like behind the PR spin

Prince Harry and no loyalty to the monarchy or the country in the end

Prince William having affairs left right and centre, all covered up

Prince Charles and Camilla both vile in their treatment of Diana (what The Crown and see for yourself)

Only one I like is Kate Middleton but she's not even a blood royal

Erm, The Crown isn't a documentary. You can't watch it and say it proves anything about the royals, for good or bad, at all.
ThatDoesntBelongInAIBU · 17/02/2021 13:52

The Royal Family are grabby, and we all know that’s a cardinal sin to mumsnetters

AndPatraWillNeverSayNever · 17/02/2021 13:52

I actually think it's worse if the glorified 'influencers', W&K, are King & Queen. The 'influenced' may never want it abolished.

Charles is a better choice for an end to it. Anyway, I think he deserves a go at something he's been waiting for all his life Grin

BLToutanowhere · 17/02/2021 13:53

The Crown pays more into the system than it takes out thanks to how the system works.

As it happens, do you really think that one homeless person will be put up in Buckingham Palace?

The following would happen.

a) Museum/National Trust
b) Converted into insanely expensive private apartments
c) Use by politicians

It's not perfect but I'd rather the Queen in the figure head role than some glory hound politician.

HOkieCOkie · 17/02/2021 13:54

I love having a monarch. They do a lot for charity and bring a lot of tourism and revenue to this country.

josieorange · 17/02/2021 13:58

The Crown pays more into the system than it takes out thanks to how the system works

I'm not sure that's true?

If the monarchy was abolished Buckingham Palace could be a fabulous tourist attraction

Mia1415 · 17/02/2021 14:00

Why are people quoting the crown? Its FICTION!

PuppyMonkey · 17/02/2021 14:00

They'd do a lot more for charity if they gave charity all their money.