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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think Prince William preaching about climate change is another example the monarchy should not exist

264 replies

josil · 08/05/2022 21:52

Is he having a laugh? His wife and him parade around in designer clothes costing thousands of pounds, live on multiple properties, fly around the world often in jets and he is telling US to do our bit?

I had a chat with DH earlier and we thought it would be a good idea for the queen to hand straight to William but now I'm not sure either and just wish the lot of them would go away and cease to exist as a royal family.

They're taking the piss - when will we no longer stand for a monarchy?

OP posts:
TarasHarp55 · 14/05/2022 12:41

I just don't see how they contradict each other.

CompostMaker · 14/05/2022 12:43

We would all have to pay more taxes if we didn’t have a monarchy - they bring in far more money to the country through tourism and business etc than they receive.

CompostMaker · 14/05/2022 12:47

StoneofDestiny · 13/05/2022 20:47

The whole idea of hereditary monarchy is outrageous in a 21 century democracy. Children being lined up for jobs for life, guaranteed to live in unimaginable splendour whatever they do - even associate with paedophiles or offering free access to monarchy for money! As for lecturing us on 'green issues', yes. Their attempt to stay relevant. Their expensive trips to the Caribbean proved a complete disaster that anybody with even moderate social awareness could have predicted. Yet, they, with the best education money can buy and with the most expensive advisors taxpayers pay for, could not.
Apparently they are now trying to be 'more approachable' and 'relevant' to the public now - including Kate dressing in less expensive outfits 😂. Couldn't make it up. All that she is known for in the press is her outfits, easily changed if she stopped popping out in different outfits at every opportunity or - wait - just wearing things twice and calling it 'economising'.

The nonsense trotted out about tourism - tourist will come with or without a monarchy. Do people think royals are in residence when they visit the palaces? Palaces over the world are accessible and highly visited with no monarchy in existence.

It’s you that are talking nonsense now. A palace without a monarchy is just an old building. Having a royal family and all their dramas, glitz and glamor generates so much more interest than the buildings.

Blossomtoes · 14/05/2022 12:48

TarasHarp55 · 14/05/2022 12:41

I just don't see how they contradict each other.

If you’re incapable of seeing that, I can’t help. Unfortunately it’s impossible for me to understand it for you.

CompostMaker · 14/05/2022 12:48

catscatscatseverywhere · 13/05/2022 14:45

I don't blame RF itself. All famous people are being ridiculous. They tell us about climate change and then drive away in their Range Rovers with 4L engines. Or travel on private planes. At the same time, we should eat grass and travel 30 miles on foot or practice staycation in our back gardens to stop climate change.

But a staycation DOES mean staying at home.
A holiday in the UK is just called… a holiday (and it’s what the majority of people do for a holiday each year).

lameasahorse · 14/05/2022 12:56

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Andouillette · 14/05/2022 14:07

AngelicaElizaAndPeggy · 09/05/2022 09:37

FWIW, though- I think it's possible to have both an effective head of state and a royal family.

I think the model of monarchy that QEII has developed was great for her at the time of her post-war ascension. She was dutiful, still full of pomp and focused on charity work.
I think that what the current generation demonstrate is that we've moved beyond needing the royals for th charity/duty bit. Their hearts aren't really in it and we don't really need them - there are relatable and bona fide celebs who fill that role more effectively and enthusiastically.

I think after QEII passes, we should move to a more European style of monarchy where Charles and camilla do the head of state thing and the others all have normal jobs and earn their own cash. Only then could William speak about climate change without him looking preachy and condescending. Let them experience the cost of living crisis like the rest of us.
Anyway, that's my thoughts on it.

I agree, with slight variations. I would be OK with W&K being proper working royals as long as they do the work full time. I'd also be happy to see the Princess Royal carrying on for as long as she is capable and wants, plus E&S as they are doing it already. Nobody else is needed. In the fullness of time W&K's children could make the same choice, full time work or bugger off. This would lead to a grand slimming down and possibly an end to the monarchy in time, a natural end, not some huge drama.

Roussette · 14/05/2022 14:09

CompostMaker · 14/05/2022 12:43

We would all have to pay more taxes if we didn’t have a monarchy - they bring in far more money to the country through tourism and business etc than they receive.

That is categorically not true. Absolutely not. Think of the savings in security for instance.
Do you know how much that costs? Millions
The sovereign grant is only part of it, (£87 million last year), the vast security bill is picked up by the metropolitan police and royal visits paid for by very stretched local councils, whether they like it or not.
Some income from the Duchys goes direct to them, depriving the Treasury of tens of millions.

So... no, they do not bring in more money by tourism. No idea what you mean by bringing in money by 'business'.

Roussette · 14/05/2022 14:13

It’s you that are talking nonsense now. A palace without a monarchy is just an old building. Having a royal family and all their dramas, glitz and glamor generates so much more interest than the buildings

You're the nonsense one. How on earth do you think the Palace of Versailles is one of the most visited tourist attractions on earth and yet the french RF haven't been around for centuries. I've been to it, it is stupendous and no I didn't wish for King Louis when I was there!

Buckingham Palace is still a Palace with or without a RF. No one lives there anyway! It's just a massive palace to hold state visits.

Roussette · 14/05/2022 14:19

Here is an article that thoroughly debunks the monarchy tourism myths.

newnamethanks · 14/05/2022 14:29

I was very disappointed to visit Egypt and see impressive pyramids but no royals with golden headdresses! I wanted to see some Pharaohs. Huh! Never going back. Same with the impressive Bavarian castles of Mad King Ludwig, no mad King present. Don't know why people bother.

Zilla1 · 15/05/2022 09:35

Don't forget all the women and girls who only dress up as princesses, wear tiaras, fantasise of marrying a prince, saying 'someday my prince will come' because of the UK and Commonwealth RF. Tens of billions of revenue owed by Disney, probably.

lameasahorse · 15/05/2022 20:32

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DorritLittle · 16/05/2022 08:00

I don't think Disney princesses has any impact on the British RF. There were monarchies all over Europe when the fairy tales were written and they are now just fantasy.

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