AIBU in thinking that King Charles' passing will devastate Britain?

[monrymeadows73]

If you remember back when Queen Elizabeth II died, how upset most British people were and how it caused some social insecurity as many British people saw her as a sense of strength and a rock due to her continuity and longevity, but with her gone, they weren't sure how Britain would fare. Hence, the large crowds of mourners and a lot of upset.

King Charles III - though not as admired as Queen Elizabeth was - also has longevity and a sense of continuity in a different way: not as monarch since he's only been in the role for three years, but as a royal figure, i.e. he has been in the spotlight since the 1940s and conducting royal duties since the 1960s. When he dies, will Britain finally feel as though the older generation of royals - who for so long have provided reassurance and comfort to the British people - have gone?

Will this lead to a lot of soul-searching about where next Britain must go and perhaps cause social tensions due to the insecurity of identity? Who will the British look to to guide the nation from then on? Who will be their new rock?

I personally find it borderline abusive that these children are forced into taking on this public role regardless of any wishes or ambitions of our own....we wouldn't accept this for our children yet the RF and their supporters force it on these.

There's no borderline about it for me. I know William and Catherine try to keep their children's lives as private as possible, but to wheel them out for the public to gawp at is not the way to have happy, well adjusted children. George in particular has his life mapped out unless he decides to abdicate. And even then, he'd just be transferring the role to his little sister. Who'd want to do that to a loved one in this day and age?

@Futurehappiness
So agree with your post.

Times they have a'changed (in the words of Bob Dylan). they cannot keep on doing what they're doing, it is not feasible

So agreed about the children, The minute there's a rumour of dissent amongst the general public, they trot the children out. Charlotte holding a football for womens World Cup, pathetic videos telling us all to embrace nature with all the kids jumping around like we can just open the door and go out to massive acreage owned by us plebs.

I have said it before... William and Kate seem so intellectually uncurious... the arts, ballet, authors, anything... they just make a stab at seeming interested but they really are not.

I used to think the king/queen wrote their own Christmas message. I used to think each royal family's image wasn't created for them - "Charles, you're going to be the one that grows their own plants and speaks to them regularly, ok." Come on, can you image him in a greenhouse. I used to think William drove a tank to the Ukranian border and showed a message defiance to the Russians. And I used to think Charles, of his own accord, saw how Trump had treated Zelensky and arranged for a meeting in London to show British support. Andy in a helicopter, Harry is Charles's son. Edward in the marines. We know nothing about these people, apart from what we read in the bullshit western media. Stop talking about them as if they are members of your own family. The truth is probably a million miles away from what you are led to believe.

There won't be. Saying that, I would get rid of the Royal Family. I don't have anything especially personal against K&W etc but the concept is so archaic! Curtesying to someone, as if they're above you by is baffling. The cult of royalty has totally passed me by.

The following recent article suggested exactly that:
https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2025/10/abolish-the-monarchy

Curtesying is inherently ridiculous, far more so than bowing. It goes back to a time when bows & curtsies were a part of everyday life and a means of showing respect to people - not particularly associated with Royalty (as can be seen in many Jane Austen adaptations). Oh and when women wore long skirts so didn't risk flashing. It has had its day.

I am surprised that more people don't pick up on how demeaning to women it is and why the RF don't put a stop to the grovelling.

They bloody love it. They make their family members bow and curtsey to each other in private ( not sure if Charles has ditched that)and get Christmas gifts/ sleeping quarters etc all in order of rank. Its all they have and they will cling to it and their dressing up box of medals they get for being born until it is prised from them by force or the alternative is them giving up the Monarchy altogether.

@Futurehappiness

What an article! 🫨😱😮

I know it's a shocker isn't it? The video interview linked in there is also worth a look.

How many arse cheeks were shown when that cousin of curtesying, taking the knee, was in fashion, not so long ago. How demeaning to women that was. Thank goodness we're all equal again now.

Are you ok?!

I don't get that. You only see arse cheeks, ie 'builder's bum', when men are reaching up for something or bending down, not kneeling on one knee.

I don't see curtseying as demeaning to women, nor bowing as demeaning to men. It's out of date, certainly, but not demeaning as such.

much like the rest of us plebs then.

All of it! But what particularly stuck in my craw at the time were the two times he had to go. First when he was finally sacked him for his treatment of other staff members and then C promptly turned around and promoted him. Later he got his nose dirty again for shady dealings (the report of his conduct said he was an alleged bully), but had to resign (strangely as he was conveniently cleared) and C again rewarded him with a lucrative contract that time - I can't remember the exact details now. RF staff must have been disgusted. Apparently he was 'indispensible' to C 🤔

Now it's all brushed under the carpet (as per usual)! Now the RF are peddling that C&C are the romance of the Century 🙄

I always wondered if there was any connection to the missing 'rape tape'*? I doubt we'll ever know

*I have my suspicions who has that under lock and key!

Well said 👍

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45126243

I don't see curtseying as demeaning to women,

My god, I do.

Why the hell would I curtsy to anyone? Just look at the pic, pathetic. Looks like she needs the toilet

I agree. Whats the point of it if not to demean someone? To make them lower than the person being curtseyed to and to reinforce their lower importance and rank of the curtseyer. The whole point of it is to show how deferential you are.

I don't know how anyone can not find it demeaning. How can anyone think it is OK to see the spectacle of distinguished, often older, women debasing themselves by assuming an ungainly posture before some lightweight Royal which makes them look as though they are relieving themselves. What does it say about the RF's attitude towards genuine achievements and distinction that they continue to accept this?

If it's not demeaning, let men curtsy too

Er, no.

William will be a v different beast and usher in a whole new era (Charles has neither the time nor health for that) so I suppose that will be a period of adjustment on the occasions when anyone thinks about it.

I'm just impressed they don't fall over.

It's dying out anyways, but I suppose you are curtsying/bowing to the crown not them, and anyways you don't have to.

The poor bloke is purple with fingers like Yule logs. Too many boiled eggs and port, and sitting around on his arse. I give him a year max. Somewhere, someone has already got the next Paddington cartoon ready to go.

If I had any doubt about this, the sight of Theresa May-not my taste, but an elected Prime Minister-curtseying to a young Prince William would have quashed any doubts I had.

I don’t see the remotest sign that he will “usher in a new era”….