Why do you love The Royal Family?

[pedropony76]

I previously posted this on The Royal Family board but only received one response so wanted to post here for traffic.

For those that love The Queen & The Royal Family, can you actually explain why?

I often see MNetters saying ‘Oh I love The Queen, I love this member and that member’ but no one ever says why. I came across the video of Stacey Solomon saying she doesn’t get why the country is so obsessed with this family as it could be any one of us born into royalty and I totally agree.

For me, when I think of The Royal Family, I instantly think of colonialism and how many of the jewels on the Queen’s crown has been stolen from different countries. I understand not everyone thinks like this but why do some love the members of this establishment as if they’ve done anything to better your life? I’d love to hear people’s views. I’ve tried to have this conversation in real life but everyone I know couldn’t care less about The Royal Family so I’m none the wiser.

Here’s the Stacey Solomon clip for any who haven’t seen it before

I find some of the comments really interesting. I never considered that some see the Queen as a great example of duty and service. I’ve also never been interested in any of the Queen’s speeches so I’ve never got the, ‘she’s like a grandma’ feeling.

@UrsulaPandress why does everything on MN have to be goady? I’m literally reaching people I may never come across in real life to simply ask them a question. I often see people on MN express their love for Royal Family members so it makes sense for me to start a thread asking why people love them…

What I love about the RF is

@Badger1970 has said it really well.

I don't love the Royal family, in fact I dislike some members of the family and I certainly don't think that they've done much to deserve their wealth and privilege. But I do enjoy all the boys that @Badger1970 has described.

Let's face it, a lot of celebs have done very little to deserve their wealth and privilege. What does Stacey Solomon really do? She's an overpaid television personality. She's entertaining to some, but so is the Royal family to others.

Imo future Royals do need to be careful not to turn into celebrities and become too preachy. William is a huge hypocrite preaching to us all about climate change.

😂so serious.

I’ll make sure I put the lighthearted warning next time.

I don't love them. I believe that, pared back in the way that Prince Charles has been doing over the last 15 years, and much more like the Scandinavian model, the monarchy is a great asset - or could be. Yes, they cost money, but so does a President and as people have pointed out, a President is a political figure. A constitutional monarch is 'above politics' and could be a unifying force. As such, she does what the democratically-elected Govt tells her to do, but adds a sort of extra dimension to international relations - a kind of magic, for some people.

I admire the Queen very much. I've read lots about her over the decades and I get the impression that she is actually a very ego-less person. That incredibly moving speech of self-dedication she made as a young woman (watch it if you don't know it) is very powerful, and I think, sincere. I'm not bothered whether the Queen and I would hit it off on a personal level - but I do respect her absolute dedication to her duty over a long lifetime. I think she is able to do things which politicians couldn't pull off - such as:

She made a state visit to the Irish Republic a few years ago, and of course it was seen as a minefield diplomatically because of the troubled relationship between the UK and Ireland. Horrible things had been done on both sides (and the Queen's much-loved uncle, Earl Mountbatten was assassinated by the IRA). She went in a spirit of great humility and reconciliation and I think the visit was a huge success. There was one moment where she had to lay a wreath at an Irish memorial and her body language was amazing - so gentle, humble and hesitant, as if she was acknowledging the tragic history between the 2 countries. I was so impressed by her sensitivity. The Irish govt had prevented the public meeting the Queen (for security reasons) except when she visited a market in Dublin and t hen the warmth on both sides was really apparent - very moving to watch.

But the key is for the monarchy to adapt, as it has done in recent years, and to get rid of the millions of pointless hangers-on who used to crowd the balcony in the 1980s.

Ever noticed how the word vile, is taken from privilege? that’s how I feel about the modern royals. People I know and love, similar age to them. Struggle and save, then these bunch of grabbers swan in and think work is hand shaking and smiling. My arse!

I find it weird, tbh, not to mention outdated and undemocratic.

To have someone as head of state just because they happened to fall out of a particular vagina is really pretty random, and if they turn out to be completely unsuitable, it would be quite a big deal to do anything about it. And, let's face it, if Charles had died before he had children, we'd be looking forward to the reign of King Andrew now.

The queen has done a damn good job, I'm more than happy to admit, but there's no guarantee that those who come after will be any good. And if they're not, we're lumbered with them. At least with an elected head of state, we can vote them out.

I favour the Irish model, where the head of government is a separate role from the head of state.

I’m the same.
Caught a moment of the bizarre pageant today ( a group of people walking toy dogs?) and a shot of some royals pointing and laughing. We’re they thinking The peasants turning out to entertain us?

To me the royals are just entitlement, colonialism and so out of touch with real life.

I would like to know the answer to that question too.

I don’t and more so I genuinely believe you’d have to be a little soft in the head to actually want something so embarrassingly old fashioned and undemocratic.

I love the continuity, the unchanging nature of the ceremony and pomp. The Queen's resilience and sheer age and tenacity are exceptional.
I do feel rather sorry for the Royal family, how do the younger members lead anything resembling a normal life.Camilla is quietly plotting a steady path for herself and I'm a huge admirer of her Reading rooms project. She will be a huge support to Prince Charles when he is King and I think will actually make him seem much more likeable.

Up until very recently I would have been a staunch republican - for the total abolition of monarchy. I have become incredibly disillusioned with politicians of all parties - so few of them really stand up for what they know to be right - they play to the gallery and adopt whatever policy they think will be popular.

I have begun to see some pluses in a constitutional monarchy that is unelected so doesn't blow with the wind, is devoid of real power, but is imbued with a sense of duty to its people.

I don't 'love' any public figure - but I do see what a powerful symbol the Queen is, for many people, of what is good about this country, when contrasted with the political elite.

I look at a country like Russia, that wiped out its RF and has replaced it with adoration of politicians, from Lenin to now Putin, and wonder whether human beings will always want to elevate someone to that adored status? if we do are we better off breeding them and training them 'in house' than risking a politician grabbing that spot for themselves? Not a position I ever thought I would be arguing.....

CulturePigeon she literally believes that she (and her line) have been chosen by God to reign over us. And that we therefore pay to support her lifestyle including multiple palaces, jewels and a golden piano. How is that ego-less?

And Mountbatten was Philip's uncle, no? The queen's 3rd cousin or maybe 2nd, once removed. And wasn't really much-loved either. He preceded Andrew in the sex scandal stakes, although mostly with young sailors.

When I was younger I was not pro the Royal Family but now with years of life experience, I think a constitutional monarchy which works well, is infinitely better than a presidential system. We still vote for the actual Government and who is PM so it is the best of both worlds and the stability it brings is invaluable.
Whether it is fair for individuals to have to devote their lives in this way is another matter. I also am now an atheist and so do not believe the Queen has been 'chosen by God' to rule.

For me, the family and lineage as a whole, is apart of the fabric of British history and identity. Plus we had the empire that the sun never set on. (Not advocating the rights or wrongs of the royal family or the empire)

I'm a Brit and I'm certainly not tugging my forelock.

PPs saying we don't want President Boris - I agree , but he is elected.
Although the Queen has no power - it's wrong she's there just because she happened to be born into a certain family.

Surely the stability argument only works when you have a 'good' monarch. Had we had Edward and Mrs Simpson on the throne, would we have wanted that to be our long lasting stability? Or as someone mentioned above, King Andrew?

You're probably better back in the Royal Family section.

I don't think you'll find anyone here who 'loves' the queen. That's taking the adoration a bit far.
I'm indifferent to her as a person, as I don't know her. I don't like the idea of an unelected, hereditary, head of state. It's undemocratic. I hope there are changes made when Charles comes to the fore.

Yep, that's what I've asked on several threads about the royal family in the past.

I just don't get it tbh.

I remember a thread some time ago when someone posted how much they loved the Queen and all the wonderful things she's done, and in very certain terms stated that 'apart from her horses, the Queen doesn't care about all the wealth and luxury'; or words to that effect.

However, I couldn't get an answer has to how the poster knew this or exactly what wonderful things the Queen had done for us all.

I think some people just have a fore lock tugging attitude to royalty and that's all their 'love' is about.

I have mixed feeling towards the RF

I like the look of some of the spectacle

I have a soft spot for the Queen at times but not always

I struggle most with the adulation over the youngest ones, they are normal dc but it’s a bit much

The fawning that is now taking place about the younger children, is quite frankly bizarre, and over the top.

I love the Queen because in an ever- changing she's been there all my life. She also reminds me of my grandmother who lived to a similar age.

@pigsDOfly

If the queen doesn't care about the wealth why doesn't she give it all away?

Its not hers, she didn't earn it