I don't want to be 'reigned over' anymore

[Yubgftr]

While I totally respect the Queen and how she served the country, I think it's now a good time to end the monarchy as I think modern society has outgrown it.

Just the idea that someone inherits the job of head of state through birthright and reigns over us peasants is crazy in this modern age. Then all the ceremonies, titles, line of succession are remnants of a completely different era and tbh remind me of episodes of The Tudors or Game of Thrones, it's just so archaic and out of place.

I think having to bow and curtsey to people just because they were born or married into a special family also seems ridiculous. Why should I have to curtsey to any of them? Not saying I'd be rude or disrespectful but having to bend my knee to a set of people as if they were deities, it's just insane! I think I'd actually feel humiliated.

I also don't get the fawning and crying outside the palace - by all means be respectful and recognise her contribution but crying about someone you've never met? To me it's OTT

Back in medieval times when there was little education and religion was used to manipulate the masses, I can understand why all the peasants went mad for their sovereign and saw them as annointed by God etc etc but we're much more enlightened now (most of us!) so we need to make way for a new way of doing things.

Even a new national anthem - why is it all about the king or queen and god saving them? Why not about the people, the nation as a whole?

That said, I also hate the idea of someone like Boris Johnson being head of state and I bet that's a role he'd go for if we were a Republic. Swings and Roundabouts!

YABU - God save the king, monarchy forever
YANBU - time to end the monarchy

I don't really mind the monarchy. It is weird to have in a modern democracy though. And they are a supremely wealthy family who should not receive any tax payers money.

For those that argue that the RF bring in billions in tourist ££s, France killed off its monarchy in 1793 and is one of the most visited countries on the planet. Our RF could certainly pay their own way entirely and bring in tourism. Now that would be really patriotic.

As for those cretins saying, "If you don't like it, leave," - do you not understand that we live in a democracy in which opposition is a cornerstone feature.

It is worrying that any different opinion on for example, the RF, are met with such unintelligent responses trying to shut down any debate. What good little subjects you are.

I could probably accept the monarchy if it was properly modernised: slimmed right down, get rid of some of the ridiculous pomp and ceremony, change the language that's archaic, a better national anthem that recognises the people, not so much money involved etc

Yes that is exactly what Charles should do, and I think is actually to be fair to him what he understands he needs to do in terms of slimmed right down.

The pomp and ceremony is a tricky one I think some of that helps with the tourism and the sense of cultural and history

The national anthem I agree with.

For me - I dont like the Republic Presidential idea that much either - look at the power Donald Trump was given and the executive orders that he made. Macron can make decrees. Our separation of powers is I think about as good as it gets in terms of making Orders/Legislation.

You can not particularly like some aspects of the Monarchy (I certainly dont) but recognise that there are advantages to them and alternatives are probably worse. Which is kind of where I am.

England was a theocracy (Puritanical) when the monster that is Oliver Cromwell took over. As a catholic he’d have hung me from a tree. Christmas was also outlawed.

North Korea is a republic (ie. no monarch as head of state), and freedom is nonexistent. Cromwell’s republic in England didn’t work (in the same way a North Korean public wouldn’t work) because people generally don’t want to be terrorised.

England then adopted the Bill of Rights (1689) thirty years after the restoration of the monarchy (essentially becoming a “royal republic”).

I am in favour of keeping the Monarchy. I expect views such as those expressed by the OP will have more support since the death of the Queen, and the example of Barbados preferring a local person as head of state will be followed by most of the 13 other countries who have King Charles.

Although I despise the way Andrew has paid off his accusers. With whose money?

I have no strong feelings either way but I did mention to my DH it might feel a little tone deaf if they use the giant gold carriage for the coronation when people are feeling the cost of living so high.

Paris has the Louvre, the most visited museum on the planet (thanks largely to having the Mona Lisa).

It also has the reputation of being the city of love that draws in couples all over the world.

It is also much more accessible being on the continent and not on an island (a large reason why Disneyland (Paris) is located there).

Given these factors (among others), for London to match Paris is pretty damn impressive. The Royal Family is a huge reason for this parity.

Shakespeare, The Beatles, James Bond, Harry Potter, Beckham (Premier League in general, as the most watched sports league on the planet)...The Royal Family PLC. is every bit as much of a selling point as the rest, in fact it’s the bedrock of Britain’s soft power status. There’s a reason why the RF featured so prominently in the Olympic Games opening ceremony (via the Queen jumping out of a plane with Bond)...that skit was as popular as Mr Bean.

The money the RF generates is unquantifiable, and tourism is only a small slice of that. Every single head of state, foreign dignitary, business leader etc. the first person they want to meet when they come to England is the Queen (now King). The Royal Seal of Approval exists for a reason. A business having a Royal Warrant status exists for a reason. The RF has a gravitas that is a goldmine to the UK economy and the general status of the UK (as a soft power) worldwide.

The UK has (by pure chance) fallen on a system that is as ideal as it gets. A powerless head of state (bar formalities of accepting the new PM, opening Parliament and reading a speech written by the ruling party), one who is non partisan (meaning the vast majority of the country can get behind, as opposed to a partisan elected head of state whom roughly only half the populous support, the rest despise), one who doesn’t get involved in politics but, is a figurehead, who can do feel good stuff (Christmas speeches, parades, Knight people, hand out trophies at sports events, open stuff, host foreign dignitaries/CEO of blue chip companies etc.) while the elected leader (the PM) gets to do all the actual dirty stuff of daily politics and takes all the hits.

The idea of ditching The Royal Family PLC, a goldmine to brand Britain, is right out of the same school as the KLF burning a million quid.

Yes it's awful being "reigned over". We should be grateful that we're actually reigned over by people of stunning intellect and liberal views. Mogg? Braverman? Yes, I know they're actually elected....weird, isn't it?

I have never sung the National Anthem and wouldn't.

I would absolutely hate to have been born into the fish bowl that is the royal family with my every move watched and planned out and no real choice in my life but to do my duty. I've never considered myself a royalist but I've realised that I am very grateful with have them rather than a presidential system.

They also do a huge amount of good. The Duke of Edinburgh awards and the Princes Trust have helped countless young people and then there's the swathes of other charities they support and bring recognition to.

There is zero need (or benefit) for those other 13 countries to have the monarch as the head of state. They gain nothing from it.

Britain in the otherhand, it’s a different story.

Okay Luv.
HTH

Erm.. this is how hereditary royalty works: the King is dead, God save the King

Beyond that OP, you don’t have to curtesy, at some point (although maybe not till William) I’m sure they’ll switch out the turgid national anthem.

Beyond that, just ignore them if you aren’t interested in them as people, they are just heads of state, if we didn’t have them we’d have a president.

I’d rather not have them myself, but it’s not a majority view right now so no point getting worked up about it.

He sold his Swiss gaff

It is quite mad to have a monarchy when you think about it. There is obviously no need for it, but people seem to like it. I suppose it gives them something to talk about, doesn’t it?

It was fascinating (to me at least) that at the point Buckingham Palace made the announcement at 12:30 it wasnt just the BBC that stopped coverage. The US networks did too - CNN did wall to wall coverage like we did. ABC that evening removed its shows and dedicated to the Queen. That does show a little I think of what they bring

And an awful of Europe still has what we have figurehead Monarchy - they were all out in force last night

YANBU I have no interest in the Royal family but also don't consider myself reigned over. They have no impact on my life at all that I can tell. I wouldn't bow or curtsey if I met them because they're just people, my interest in them knows no beginning.

There are a number of things you can do if you don’t agree with some aspect of life in the UK. You can lobby your MP or join a pressure group. You can even protest. Or, you can just moan.

A woman in Edinburgh was just arrested for protesting, wasnt she? Apparently she disturbed the peace by holding up a sign. Sorry can't link at the moment but a Google will turn it up.

I feel uneasy about the whole thing. How awful to be born into it knowing you will become king or queen whether you like it or not, never allowed a single lie in, out of engagements whether you feel ill or well. Always having to smile no matter what is going on inside. I think it would break me.
The commonwealth countries are gradually pulling away.
I love the pomp, ceremony and ritual but I think it is going to gradually recede as it has done in other european countries.

YANBUB I agree with you. It's outrageous, I wouldn't curtsey to anyone.

The tourism thing is bollocks. People would come to London anyway. In fact they could open up the palaces as amazing hotels and make much more money than now.
I genuinely don't understand why anyone wants to be ruled by an unelected person who is only there because of the violence and cruelty their ancestors carried out.

I like the monarchy. I love the history going back so far, and certainly wouldn't want an elected president with zero history and the risk of ending up with someone like Boris.

I am also strongly Remain so no idea why you think Royalist = Brexiteer.

Don't we need kings to keep the dragon population in check? Won't central London be over run with the fire breathing fuckers without a brave prince to ride out and slay them? Or was that knights? Sorry, I struggle to keep up.

Elegantlyangry

You may want to reposition clinton on your list.