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Original poster

Why do you love The Royal Family?

288 replies

pedropony76 · 05/06/2022 18:39

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

OP posts:
AuntTwacky · 05/06/2022 23:19

I don't

Romeoalpha · 05/06/2022 23:19

FoiledByTheInsect · 05/06/2022 22:54

The sentiment is all very well but we’d be no richer, we’d be just as unequal, but we’d have lost something that made us a little bit unique, a little bit special, and overall I think a force for good.

I can't believe a Corbynite just said that. Of all the good things about Britain you cite the Nonce family as a little bit special .... Epstein and the 0 mm the queen distanced herself... Just wtf. Perhaps unique in our enabling of sex offenders and crime. A force for good, wtaf, guys I'll leave you all to it because this is unbelievable.

Well, sorry to disappoint! I actually think we probably agree on more than we disagree on, and I am 100% with you re. electoral reform. But the royal family are not political so I don’t actually see how they are propping up the Tories? Sounds like a conspiracy theory to me, The Queen has worked alongside Labour governments and Tory ones alike.

Prince Andrew is a sicko of course, but there are lots of non-royal sickos too. It’s not really tied up with him being royal, it’s just that he’s a twat.

PrawnofthePatriarchy · 05/06/2022 23:20

I have huge respect and affection for the Queen and think well of most of the royals.

I read something yesterday that really impressed me. An American was praising how universally well behaved the crowds always are at our big royal occasions, because the RF is politically neutral. Apparently large, cheerful, well behaved crowds are rare elsewhere in the world. I hadn't been aware of this.

I remember before one of the royal weddings a senior police officer said that, although security is important, the police are very much aware the public is also vigilant - acting as their eyes and ears.

Thank the goddess we don't have a president. Blair, anyone? Or Thatcher back in the day?

mumieone · 05/06/2022 23:22

I have a few very simple thoughts.

They are well dressed, elegant, a perfect example of how to speak (maybe elocution lessons at school for all) and I see them as aspirational figures in terms of wealth (for some)...gives people something to aim or measure against

I also see them as living a completely different life to the majority - almost living in a parallel world.🙈

Discovereads · 05/06/2022 23:23

God save the Queen.
I do in fact love the Queen. We both like marmalade sandwiches. That’s a good enough reason for me. (Not going to say my real reasons why because the OP and others seem vested in mocking anyone and everyone who loves the Queen.)

leotardrock · 05/06/2022 23:27

I'm started to think this is another thread like the last Harry & Meghan one!

Chuck in a potentially goady first few posts then bugger off while everyone gets cross!

It's been an amazing weekend! Lots of Communities have come together to celebrate 70 years of devoted public service, something which is sadly lacking in the Country today!

So I'm out! Enjoy what's left of your weekend everyone!

Romeoalpha · 05/06/2022 23:27

It’s sickening to see billions of pounds spent on pomp and pageantry whilst people sleep on the streets, rely on food banks, and can’t heat their homes.

But people aren’t sleeping on the street due to pomp and pageantry. And it hasn’t cost billions at all, it’s cost about £28million. Sure, a lot of money, but we got a 4-day weekend and we were able to enjoy the celebrations if we so chose.

Now the Tory government managed to rack up £8.7 billion of losses on PPE alone during Covid.

I know who I’m blaming for food banks and homelessness.

Thatswhyimacat · 05/06/2022 23:30

I don't love any of the current lot personally, but I love the history of the institution (love is a weird word...am fascinated by perhaps) and I love their unrivalled place on the world stage at a time where our prime minister seems set on making a laughing stock out of us. Thank goodness for the dignity of the royal family and the lovely voice of Sam Ryder eh...

gotthis · 05/06/2022 23:33

tearsforfears72 · 05/06/2022 23:14

I would like to be an equal citizen in my country, not a grovelling subject of a hereditary elite.
Monarchy and everything it represents has no place in modern society. Hereditary monarchs are irrelevant to democracy, the Queen absolutely does not provide a check on governmental power as she just gives royal assent to any bill. Think of how many awful laws have been passed recently, for example the Nationality and Borders Bill. Did old Lizzie do anything to stop that?
Moreover, the cult of personality around some royals is mind-boggling. They’re like talentless celebrities. These unremarkable people are meant to be our examples and model behaviour to look up to. I for one don’t think pedophilia, racism, colonialism and classism, to name a few examples, are anything to aspire to! Why are these people promoted as an ideal when they do nothing to enrich our country, whether that be morally or economically. ‘Tourism value’ is brought up as another point, but no tourist actually sees the royals when they visit. It’s the palaces and estates etc. that hold interest, so why not follow the lucrative example of say, Versailles, and open them up to the public as museums? Much more money could be made that way. But no, we’re seemingly content to have a big family and their hangers-on hoarding wealth and living off taxpayer money.
As you can probably tell, I get quite worked up about this issue! It’s sickening to see billions of pounds spent on pomp and pageantry whilst people sleep on the streets, rely on food banks, and can’t heat their homes. By abolishing the monarchy we wouldn’t be throwing away history - the history would still be there in museums etc., but the future would be much improved!

I agree. The glimpses of jubilee celebrations I saw made me feel rather sick. Does seem quite obscene, at this moment particularly so.

leotardrock · 05/06/2022 23:36

Romeoalpha · 05/06/2022 23:27

It’s sickening to see billions of pounds spent on pomp and pageantry whilst people sleep on the streets, rely on food banks, and can’t heat their homes.

But people aren’t sleeping on the street due to pomp and pageantry. And it hasn’t cost billions at all, it’s cost about £28million. Sure, a lot of money, but we got a 4-day weekend and we were able to enjoy the celebrations if we so chose.

Now the Tory government managed to rack up £8.7 billion of losses on PPE alone during Covid.

I know who I’m blaming for food banks and homelessness.

Test & Trace cost £37 Billion why aren't you corset about that?

Tells self off for getting sucked back in!

This is like bloody BREXIT all over again! The wrong people are getting the blame!

leotardrock · 05/06/2022 23:40

Crosser not corset!

Someone will be on in a second to tell us getting rid of the Royal Family will give us £350M per week to the NHS! 🙄

TarasHarp55 · 05/06/2022 23:43

MosaicBlues · 05/06/2022 22:55

I don’t think we could find someone to elect who would have done as good a job as the Queen does at being head of state and an ambassador of this country. She impresses everyone who meets her in person and the continuity is reassuring for me. I am going to feel so very sorry for her family when she dies. Poor Prince Charles - a) I think they’re genuinely close now and b) no one can follow that.

If course we could get better. The queen might get respect but world leaders aren't going to be paying her too much attention. A hugely rich privileged old lady, who got her position through the accident of birth isn't really going to impress anyone.

Ireland has a very good system, and because the president was democratically voted in , there's no bitterness or drama unlike the dissent caused by our royals.Their president doesn't own half the country side, nor have the choice of umpteen castles and palaces to live in. Nor does he have a huge extended family who have to have round the clock police protection costing the country millions. Ireland is quite happy with what they've got.

The unfairness of a hereditary monarchy will always cause division and bitterness. I don't think there's a country in the world who'd choose to have one if they had the option.

Added to all that Ireland's presidency is two and a half times cheaper. Good value for money, and after 4 years he can be voted out.

It's democracy.

tearsforfears72 · 05/06/2022 23:44

Not a fan of our current government either. I agree with you that it’s disgraceful how much money has been wasted on schemes like Test and Trace etc., and the sheer level of incompetence shown by Johnson’s cabinet is terrible. But I’m also outraged by the constant promotion of the Royal Family as something to rely on, a ‘superior bloodline’ which protects us all, when in reality they do nothing to help us in times of crisis (which yes, can be created by the government!) except offer a few empty hypocritical words of consolation. I really think the UK’s political system needs modification to make it fit for purpose, and as part of that modification I think it’s well past time for the RF to go. It’s possible to criticise both the government and the RF at the same time.

leotardrock · 05/06/2022 23:49

Taras and yet the Queen is rolled out at the G8, she holds dinners at Buckingham Palace for visiting foreign dignitaries because she is so respected by other Foreign leaders!

She is used for obtaining Govt Contracts & Trade Deals, maybe not so much now but she most definitely was!

TarasHarp55 · 05/06/2022 23:52

Xtraincome · 05/06/2022 22:10

I have so little faith in elected leaders and government so have grown to like (some of) the Royal family more over the past 10 years. I think the Queen is like a living relic of our great history as a country and she is the one thing that seems to unite the country a little. We are such a painfully divided island I do dread the day there's no more royal family/Queen.

To a PP who said without the royal family people would still visit the estates/palaces- I'm not sure it would generate anywhere near the revenue you might think if there's no longer anyone on the throne, maybe?

It didn't do France any harm. Visitors to the Palace of Versailles dwarfs Buckingham Palace. Also royal palaces etc are quite low on the most visited places. Besides all that though tourism isn't a strong enough reason to keep a monarchy.

1dayatatime · 05/06/2022 23:53

.

TarasHarp55 · 05/06/2022 23:57

leotardrock · 05/06/2022 23:49

Taras and yet the Queen is rolled out at the G8, she holds dinners at Buckingham Palace for visiting foreign dignitaries because she is so respected by other Foreign leaders!

She is used for obtaining Govt Contracts & Trade Deals, maybe not so much now but she most definitely was!

That doesn't impress me. There are plenty of places that would serve just as well. The queen has often hosted despots too. So nothing to admire about that.

TarasHarp55 · 06/06/2022 00:00

Government contracts and deals could be done by a president, probably someone more accomplished too. Maybe someone who has the know how to strike a harder bargain.

jimboandthejetset · 06/06/2022 00:00

It's interesting that people trot out "she does so much for our country" but no one says what she actually does.
Plus having a shit government is not a reason to be thankful for the queen or RF. I can blame Boris and the Tories for fucking up our country and for leading us to Brexit, as well as being a republican who thinks the RF are pointless in modern day society.

TarasHarp55 · 06/06/2022 00:06

leotardrock · 05/06/2022 23:40

Crosser not corset!

Someone will be on in a second to tell us getting rid of the Royal Family will give us £350M per week to the NHS! 🙄

No it certainly wouldn't make a tap of difference. But what an outrage, to give all that money to one already super rich family.

Meanwhile we are going through the worst cost of living crisis we've ever known. It will literally be a case of eat or keep warm for some families. But as long as queenie's ok what the hell.

Discovereads · 06/06/2022 00:08

TarasHarp55 · 06/06/2022 00:00

Government contracts and deals could be done by a president, probably someone more accomplished too. Maybe someone who has the know how to strike a harder bargain.

What are you on about? The Queen/RF don’t do and have zero influence over government contracts and deals.

Thatswhyimacat · 06/06/2022 00:12

I've got no dog in the fight but the Queen does seem to have a certain level of respect from leaders across the world. I would say it was just because most leaders, except ours, know how to behave, but even Donald Trump was nice to her.

TarasHarp55 · 06/06/2022 00:15

Thatswhyimacat · 06/06/2022 00:12

I've got no dog in the fight but the Queen does seem to have a certain level of respect from leaders across the world. I would say it was just because most leaders, except ours, know how to behave, but even Donald Trump was nice to her.

Well they don't have much choice do they when she's presented to them. They're hardly going to embarrass themselves being rude to her. But it could be so much better.

Thatswhyimacat · 06/06/2022 00:20

@TarasHarp55 yes I agree, hence my caveat about them knowing how to behave, of course I hardly think Macron or Trudeau are going to make a faux pas, but there is an underlying level of additional respect that I wouldn't expect someone like eg Macron to observe.

I agree it could all be better, I'm no massive royalist, but right now I'd take them over the government if I didn't really deep down believe in that pesky democracy.

SleepSleepRaveAsleep · 06/06/2022 00:25

I don't and I'm so glad Stacey actually came out and said it. I don't get any of it, I don't get the fawning over them they are just people born into a family and I really don't get what people mean when they thank her "for all that you've done for us". What has she done??? She's never done a day's work (reading a speech someone else wrote and shaking hands isnt work) and she's lived a life of utter privilege 🤔. I think once the Queen dies it'd be a good time to get rid of the royal family. People are struggling to afford to live yet here we have these people telling us either how hard it is 🤣 or how we should save the environment, then goes home in their private helicopter lol.