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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

republicans, over here!

603 replies

arghpleasestop · 09/09/2022 21:54

OK, it's been 24 hours now.

Can I say it yet?

Long live the king - any king! - you must be joking. How on earth can it be the 21st century and there is still a hereditary monarchy of 'special people with the right blood' who wear crowns, live in palaces and play a formal role in politics?

I can see from other threads that others feel upset and are following it all closely. This thread is not to deny those feelings and for sure Queen E worked hard shaking hands for a long time - but to say, WTF, bring on the republic please.

OP posts:
greenhousegal · 09/09/2022 23:04

The Queen was the glue that held it all together. She commanded respect from the vast majority due to her long reign and devotion to duty, right up to the last minute of her life.

I don't think the same respect will accrue to the RF now that she is gone. The gloves may come off about all of them via the media perhaps. Then it's all over.

Original poster
arghpleasestop · 09/09/2022 23:04

When I started this thread it was really to vent after 24 hrs of the BBC black tie, the text from DC school about a 'nation in grief', all the posts from companies on social media etc.
But it's got me thinking now. How do you end a monarchy and put a republic in its place in a peaceful and democratic way with no bloodshed?

As some are saying perhaps it just fades away and becomes irrelevant as younger people lose interest.

OP posts:
BigBearLittleBear · 09/09/2022 23:05

I’m in my early 40s. Up until a couple of years ago I was a fairly staunch republican but my views have softened. I can actually see value in an institution that stands for continuity and leadership that’s above party politics. My view is illogical and I accept monarchy is an anachronism in the modern world. Maybe I’m just getting old and a bit less radical 😂

DixonD · 09/09/2022 23:05

She did a lot more than “shake a few hands”. I’m not a royal fan, but I do have respect.

bloodyplanes · 09/09/2022 23:09

Lunar270 · 09/09/2022 22:33

Does anyone know at what point a referendum would take place to decide whether the monarchy should continue?

I have no ill feelings for the royal family but think it's all a bit archaic and unecessary. I don't care how much money they bring to this country as the human construct that is monarchy, should really be consigned to the history books.

I think the absolute outpouring of grief in this country over the queen's death has shown that a referendum on abolishing the monarchy will probably work out the same way that the brexit one worked out for those who wanted to remain. You seriously misjudge the strength of feeling for the monarchy in this country if you believe that we will become a republic any time soon.

cakeorwine · 09/09/2022 23:09

Turns out that Macron (well, the French President whoever they are) is also the Prince of Andorra and that makes him the co- Prince of the Principality.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andorra#Politics

So he is President of a Republic and also a Prince

MrsFezziwig · 09/09/2022 23:10

ilovesooty · 09/09/2022 22:50

What's the evidence that she considers herself "important"?

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Well, the fact that she considers that anyone would be overly bothered about what her plans are?

cakeorwine · 09/09/2022 23:11

bloodyplanes · 09/09/2022 23:09

I think the absolute outpouring of grief in this country over the queen's death has shown that a referendum on abolishing the monarchy will probably work out the same way that the brexit one worked out for those who wanted to remain. You seriously misjudge the strength of feeling for the monarchy in this country if you believe that we will become a republic any time soon.

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There is outpouring for the Queen.

But the Queen and the Monarch are 2 different things. People know that the Queen held it together.

I think that it will take time, but the Queen was a hard act to follow.

cakeorwine · 09/09/2022 23:13

bloodyplanes · 09/09/2022 23:09

I think the absolute outpouring of grief in this country over the queen's death has shown that a referendum on abolishing the monarchy will probably work out the same way that the brexit one worked out for those who wanted to remain. You seriously misjudge the strength of feeling for the monarchy in this country if you believe that we will become a republic any time soon.

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To be honest, I have seen a lot of indifference.

The crowds you see at Buckingham Palace are by definition, people who care about the Queen and want to express their support.

FourChimneys · 09/09/2022 23:16

cakeorwine I don't have a TV or licence so cannot watch it anyway. There's bound to be a synopsis on the BBC website later which I can see if I remember or have time.

Twooforjoy · 09/09/2022 23:17

And Ireland becoming a republic was a blood free process was it?

And Ireland being colonised and ruled from Britain was a really happy, blood-free joyful experience! Such a shame about the bloody natives rearing up...

HoneyIShrunkThePizza · 09/09/2022 23:19

bloodyplanes · 09/09/2022 23:09

I think the absolute outpouring of grief in this country over the queen's death has shown that a referendum on abolishing the monarchy will probably work out the same way that the brexit one worked out for those who wanted to remain. You seriously misjudge the strength of feeling for the monarchy in this country if you believe that we will become a republic any time soon.

Show quote history

Yes, but that was for the queen. Charles is an entirely different person and I'd hazard a guess that he doesn't elicit such loyalty from those on the fence about a monarchy. I'm a republican and felt strangely fond of the late queen. Charles...not so much.

greenhousegal · 09/09/2022 23:21

Twooforjoy · 09/09/2022 23:17

And Ireland becoming a republic was a blood free process was it?

And Ireland being colonised and ruled from Britain was a really happy, blood-free joyful experience! Such a shame about the bloody natives rearing up...

I don't think that kind of historical information is on the history curriculum of UK schools. Ignorance is bliss and all that.

cakeorwine · 09/09/2022 23:22

God save our gracious King......

So many things to unpick in that statement.

(I am looking forward to a new National anthem that unites us, not divides us - but that's not going to happen for a while)

FourChimneys · 09/09/2022 23:22

MrsFezziwig I love your reply, it made me giggle. No, not important at all. But very confident in my choice of activity on both those days, one of which might be when it is the queen's funeral.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 09/09/2022 23:22

I feel sick thinking about how much will be spent on the funeral and coronation. And how many ordinary people that could have helped.

Raran · 09/09/2022 23:27

The glorious Peoples Republic of Mumsnet.

FayeGovan · 09/09/2022 23:31

Ive been sitting on my hands all through this, im so sick of all the sycophantic crap on here and everywhere else

FayeGovan · 09/09/2022 23:32

And ds just said the football is cancelled this weekend but not the rugby or the cricket???

Mamamia7962 · 09/09/2022 23:33

I was surprised at how many people of all ages were outside Buckingham Palace to offer their condolences to Prince Charles.

There will be a monarchy for many years to come, albeit a slimmed down one.

Original poster
arghpleasestop · 09/09/2022 23:34

Some interesting points on this thread
*Commonwealth countries could say one by one 'we don't want a UK monarch any more'. This seems like only a matter of time as I think about it.
*young people not being interested - either because not royalty is not egalitarian or just because not relevant
*the royals could do themselves in through their own behaviour eg Prince Andrew. Or even Meghan and Harry imploding their jobs and turning into US celebs instead

OP posts:
DelphiniumBlue · 09/09/2022 23:39

Discovereads · 09/09/2022 22:19

The last time we had a republic didn’t work out so good for us.

To be fair, that was a while ago, things were different back then. Religion played a huge part in that, which wouldn't be the case now.
OP, I absolutely agree with you. It is obscene that some people are so privileged while other people's elderly parents will be literally freezing this winter, for no reason other than being born into a particular family.
Elizabeth personally took her responsibilities seriously, and did her job well. But that is not a good enough reason to continue with the monarchy, which is an outdated and unfair institution.

Hereward1332 · 09/09/2022 23:41

I would far rather give more political power to a monarch, born to the idea of long term service and benefit to their country, than have it in the hands of short termist politicians. Politicians, even the good ones, have to get re-elected every five years and pander to short term concerns. Environment Vs fuel bills.

Rosewaterblossom · 09/09/2022 23:43

The alternative to the monarchy is no better though. At least the monarchy are above politics. Yes we could vote in a "president " but our track record for voting in prime ministers is hardly great is it, so I wouldn't hold out much hope for a good president.

ParkheadParadise · 09/09/2022 23:43

I have zero interest in the RF.
I don't know anyone who does.
Hopefully this will be the end of them.
HH