Gawping at the royals has to stop

[MeritocracyNotMonarchy]

They are just people - no better, worse or more interesting than any other UK residents.

They're trussed up and put on show like animals in a zoo. No child should be wheeled out like this and gawped at. They're ordinary people in a fairly mediocre, mildly dysfunctional family, just like those found on any street in the UK.

We really need to mature as a country and put the whole pantomime of monarchy behind us. It reflects and entrenches the inequality that is so damaging to the UK. And the characters in the panto look bloody miserable.

AIBU?

I agree. Also, 'Celebrities' (with the exception of those who are famous for shagging famous people and their stories to the press) whether you like them or not, are people who have done something and been successful in often very competitive industries. Taylor Swift is one of the most successful singer songwriters in the world. She has weird obsessed fans, yes, but she herself has achieved something remarkable. The Royals have either been born, or married someone who has been born into the Royal Family. They are unremarkable, so what have they done to demand such worship? They coukd leave if they don't want their children to be subjected to this. They could say that Charlotte and Louis are going to be private citizens who don't work for the RF and get rid of most of their 22 homes. They don't do either because they know they get an enormous amount in return for doing very little, and want that to continue.

It was Elizabeth II who said that. Victoria disappeared for 40 years and it didn't make a blind bit of difference. She still managed to rack up 8 assassination attempts! This lot have it easy!

Yes, I agree about Taylor Swift etc. that's definitely the problem with royalty. You then get hangers on and lazy people who want titles but do nowt.

The photo the OP used was taken during the national anthem. They always look solemn then. I watched the whole event and most of the time they were smiling and waving at the crowds. It's a strange job but they do it well.

As to the children, I know far less about George, Charlotte and Louis than I do about the offspring of the couple you think admirable, I've even seen Archie in the bath. I know even more about the children of so called influencers on Instagram. I think for the social media age the Royal family tread an appropriate line for the children.

Maybe in the future the country will decide we don't want a monarchy. I'm sure they will step aside gracefully if that time comes. I just hope that there will be a well thought out plan, that the public can actually vote on, covering every complicated aspect of removing the Head of State in a constitutional monarchy. If Brexit taught us nothing else we have surely learnt that change in the way we are governed is hard and complicated and shouldn't be entered into lightly.

Good morning!!
I have to disagree with you. The RF is part of a package of reasons and a big reason millions come to London from abroad!!

I enjoy gawping at them. And talking about them with family and friends. And using them as a touchpoint for my love of the UK (there are others, like our history, art, literature, cultural creativity and natural beauty, but the royals are one too.)

I won't stop gawping :-)

It's a great word, gawp. Thank you for reminding me it exists. I must remember to use it more in everyday conversation :-)

If they were just figureheads I wouldn't care. But the POWER they have is disproportionate to their contribution to society.

Imagine being able to decide not to allow photography except when they decide. To be able to influence taxation policy in their favour, to earn millions from lands that really should be in public ownership and so on. There are so many things that are available to them just because they were born. Nothing else, just born.

Isn't that amazing? And infuriating to me anyway.

Their only purpose is to be gawped at. But the vast, vast majority of their time is spent in luxurious privacy, so I think they do alright.

I love the history and culture of the UK too, but I associate the royals with slavery, colonialism and Empire.

I doubt they come especially to London especially to see the royal family. You’re deluding yourself if you think that. They do Europe and London is a small part of that. They’d still think London was worth a look even without the Royals.

Hello Kimberly!!
Please read my post again and you will note very clearly as that is not what I said!!

@DistinguishedSocialCommentator You can disagree all you like, but @ShrinkingEveryDay is completely correct. The royal palaces of France bring in a lot more revenue than our own do. What is the point of gawping at Buckingham Palace from behind the railings when you can actually get inside and wander about, as is the case in France.

You are the third poster to have a go at me. Please read my posted at 09-13hrs and come back and agree with me!!

With respect, the post is clear and not stating what you and the other posted. Therefore I am standing by the post!!

Enjoy the sun!!

I am wondering what London offers that is different to other places. They hardly come to see the people on benefits. Although is quite unique to this country 🤣🤣🤣 may be soon.

I know of people from abroad who came specifically for this yesterday. I did not even know it was happening.

im sure these very privileged children will cope. we rarely see them.
i will save my concern for children whose parents have to use food banks.

I think that’s quite a naieve view. There are entire Instagram and You Tube accounts based on Charlotte’s fashion where her every gesture is analysed to the nth degree.

No children should be put under public scrutiny imho, whether they are royal, live on a Yorkshire farm or are a talented singer. By definition, as children, they cannot consent or have any proper idea of what public scrutiny entails. It rarely ends well.

I think they do a great job - with the odd notable exception.

Can't understand why people get so exercised about something that costs them £1.70 a year, even if they don't approve of the RF, just turn off the TV. There is far more of my tax money spent on things that I don't like, but I just have to suck it up and get on with my life.

After the various governments that we - the people - have elected over recent decades, I think an hereditary monarchy is a good thing!

I totally agree. And if you weren’t a republican before; spend ten minutes on the royal family board on here and you will soon be persuaded!

People always quote the “only £1.70” figure but 1.70 x 60-odd million adds up to quite a lot of money.

You’re being very unreasonable to say ‘Gawping at the royals has to stop’ and then in the very same post include a picture of them. but I think that kinda proves the point.

I do hope that nice Mr Farage isn't reading this. Can you imagine him self styled as 'Lord Protector' with a New Model Army to impose his new order?
I'm sure there must be other options...
Personally I think, once Charles dies, we should call an end to the Monarchy. I'm not suggesting a Revolution but a Referendum might be worth holding.

I think it would be a nicely symbolic gesture if in 2066 whoever is monarch at the time were to announce that it’s been 1000 years, I think it’s time the country moved on,the nation can have Buckingham Palace, Balmoral and Sandringham, we don’t think you need a Royal Family any more and we can certainly do without all the gawping. We’re all off to live private lives and do actual jobs, you know?

Exactly! How ridiculous.

The abolition of the monarchy would help other more scary things the left has in their agenda.

Only 1,000 since the Normandy invasion and seizure of power.
The monarchy is older than that.

I can't bear them. God they make me so ashamed. I wish we'd never brought them back in the 1680s. No wonder other countries laugh at us. My patriotism is based on things worth being patriotic about – like Shakespeare, Dickens, Jane Austen and Charles Darwin. I 'celebrate' having two of the oldest and most famous universities in the world on this island, not that bunch of ugly, vulgar, grinning gargoyles. The sight of Anne in that ridiculous hat makes me want to curl up in a ball and pretend to be Spanish or Dutch.