The Royals jumping ship...

[Wolfgirrl]

A virus pandemic breaks out in the UK. Everyone is essentially on house arrest bar a few essential occasions. Businesses and workers facing going bust. People dying every day. Hospitals overwhelmed. Surely this would be a great moment for a morale boosting message from our beloved royals, who we pay to keep in the lap of luxury? Oh wait, a little recorded message has been deemed a health risk to the Queen (allegedly).

Oh well, they can always volunteer Buckingham Palace as a makeshift hospital or hub for supplies, etc, as I'm sure they want to do what they can for their beloved citizens, especially now theyve legged it out of London. Oh wait.

Seriously what are these people for and why do we pay for them again?

The Queen rolled up her sleeves and volunteered during World War 2

Whoop de fucking do. Like a million other land girls, none of whom were rewarded with palaces.

@burneyfanny (great name btw)

Be careful, if you make a valid point on here you get insulted because they have no valid response

we'd get a say in who that was instead of having them foisted on us

Yes, because we’re so good at that, aren’t we? Look at our elected PM and his sociopathic little friend who he’s foisted on us

Your reply underlines my point, Alsohuman; if sufficient voters feel our PM needs getting rid of they can quite easily get rid of him, which just isn't possible with our head of state and her ghastlier family members
And I'm not sure if "sociopathic" referred to Cummings, but awful as he is I'd almost take him over HM's paedophile supporting elder sons, mostly because he's a temporary fixture

I do agree with you that the majority in the UK unfortunately still support the monarchy - I don't have to like it, but facts are facts and might as well be faced. However some of us hope that the RF's tone deafness, endless faux pas and mounting disasters - especially once the Queen has gone - will be enough to turn the tide

Oh yes, why all the royalists are putting up with a paedophile sponsored by tax payers money? Ah yes... he has blue blood

The Queen rolled up her sleeves and volunteered during World War 2

I never understand why people are so impressed when they see royals doing stuff like this. They HAVE to be seen to be involved, it’s all about keeping the public satisfied that they aren’t just loafing around all day doing nothing. It’s like when William and Harry were shown lugging sand bags about when there was bad flooding. It’s all PR, once the cameras are gone, no doubt so are they.

And I'm not sure if "sociopathic" referred to Cummings, but awful as he is I'd almost take him over HM's paedophile supporting elder sons, mostly because he's a temporary fixture

Yes I was referring to Cummings who nobody ever voted for, yet is running the country. If you’re referring to Prince Andrew, he has no influence whatsoever on anything so the comparison is hardly valid.

If you’re referring to Prince Andrew, he has no influence whatsoever on anything

Why should we bother with him then?

I was talking to the grown ups Wolfgirrl

Just a question, with no agenda at all,

Would we miss them much if they self isolated for a year?

Well I don't think so myself, but the gutter press and paps might.

They can contribute to their charities by PayPal instead of being there in person surely.

Honestly they need to be called out for their privilege at taxpayer expense right now. Sorry folks, I know so many struggling with the effects of CV on their income. I might be a tad emotional here though.

@Alsohuman

I know that's why I replied.

Can you answer the question? What do they actually do?

@OhMargo

No apology needed, you are correct in all you say.

I think in happier times the injustice doesnt burn so brightly, but right now there has never been a bigger gap between the royals and the rest of us.

I have just worked out the money spent on the royals 2018-2019 could have been spent on a years' pay for 2,700 newly qualified nurses. Which do we need more? Now more than ever?

Alsohuman I mentioned elder sons as in plural, so was including Charles's inexcusable (and officially criticised) actions around Peter Ball

It's true Andrew has no public position right now - though that could easily change at mummy's whim - but hardly true of his brother. In any case a family who'll twist and spin in defence of two individuals like this really isn't one I want representing us on such a permanent basis

I had no idea about peter ball @Puzzledandpissedoff

I'm shocked. This is appalling.

Any of the royalists on here care to comment? @Alsohuman got anything to say about this one?

Good god. Let us crack on.

I was answering your original question OP, but I can answer the question “what is the purpose of the royals”, if you can’t work it out yourself.

The royals are a sense of stability in a turbulent world. An example of longevity, duty and unswerving service to this country. They act as a rallying point of Britishness that transcends class, age, race and politics, and binds us together.

They add a sense of mystique and importance to public events and their presence/support is a crowd gatherer for the plethora of charities of which they are patrons. Anecdotally, the charity an acquaintance founded got immense local press coverage and increased donations when a minor royal agreed to act as its patron and dutifully travelled to and turned up at every event.

More obvious examples are the Duke of Edinburgh award or Prince’s Trust. Similarly, public service is honoured by awards presented by the royal family or garden parties at Buckingham Palace. They are an immense focus for good.

Similarly, their visits to hospitals, hospices, places of worship, schools etc etc, where their presence creates excitement, a sense of recognition and hope. Most of this work is unreported in the National press.

Who would do that mundane job, day in day out with such grace and interest, if we lost our royal family?

Added to that, the Queen has seen 14 PMs elected - including Winston Churchill. I believe that her experience of politics is second to none and that this country benefits from her weekly counsel.

Finally, our royal family is a massive draw for tourists and investment into this country. The Queen hosts Heads of State with a charm and dignity that is above politics (I felt utter compassion for the Queen when Trump had to be hosted but she didn’t faulter). They also undertake State diplomatic visits to raise the profile of this country including forging links with the Commonwealth.

Last but not least, I personally love all the pageantry and sense of history.

Thank you worfgirrl

Royalty is a total anachronism in these terrible times,

They know it too, and have decamped. Because they can.

Lucky them! And I take your point about NHS, but will the RF? Well they don't need to anyway.

Sorry I meant to quote Wolfgirrl

Yes Wolfgirrl, it is indeed appalling, and the very fact that the IICSA still felt able to criticise Charles publicly despite the "influence" the RF can bring to bear suggests just how seriously it was viewed

Naturally it was spun as "he didn't know" and that "he was deceived like the rest" - all of which is thrown into doubt by his comments about "the monstrous wrongs" done to Ball - but either he employs people too stupid to warn him (in which case he's a fool) or he really did know and didn't care (in which case he's much, much worse)

And this is the individual who expects to command our respect as King

I do not want a future King Charles anymore. He is a toothpaste freak for his valet. They do not work like the rest of us so go away right now you privileged idiots.

I think we have moved on from this crap now.

The royals are a sense of stability in a turbulent world. An example of longevity, duty and unswerving service to this country. They act as a rallying point of Britishness that transcends class, age, race and politics, and binds us together.

An example of duty? Is this some kind of joke? What duties? Just meaningless word salad.

They add a sense of mystique and importance to public events and their presence/support is a crowd gatherer for the plethora of charities of which they are patrons. Anecdotally, the charity an acquaintance founded got immense local press coverage and increased donations when a minor royal agreed to act as its patron and dutifully travelled to and turned up at every event.

Do you not find it ironic, a multimillionaire appealing to the austerity public for charity funds? Patronages are honorary roles, a few galas a year is hardly real work is it.

More obvious examples are the Duke of Edinburgh award or Prince’s Trust. Similarly, public service is honoured by awards presented by the royal family or garden parties at Buckingham Palace. They are an immense focus for good.

A yearly garden party and awards do. What a mental schedule. What with all the catering and cleaning up after.

Similarly, their visits to hospitals, hospices, places of worship, schools etc etc, where their presence creates excitement, a sense of recognition and hope. Most of this work is unreported in the National press.

Genuine question: how many hospital visits (actually visiting patients etc not just a 2 minute speech) have the major royals done in the last year? I'm actually quite curious.

Who would do that mundane job, day in day out with such grace and interest, if we lost our royal family?

Nobody, that's the point.

Added to that, the Queen has seen 14 PMs elected - including Winston Churchill. I believe that her experience of politics is second to none and that this country benefits from her weekly counsel.

I thought she wasnt allowed to get involved in politics.

Finally, our royal family is a massive draw for tourists and investment into this country. The Queen hosts Heads of State with a charm and dignity that is above politics (I felt utter compassion for the Queen when Trump had to be hosted but she didn’t faulter). They also undertake State diplomatic visits to raise the profile of this country including forging links with the Commonwealth.

Tourism is a myth. Most visited palace in the world is Versailles. No royals to be found there. People would still come, it's not like they're waving from the balconies 24/7 anyway.

Will you ever answer the question?

I did - I said I was impressed with the pomp and ceremony - they put on a 'good show' - embodiment of national pride I guess.

Boogiewoogietoo
Great post.

Yeah brilliant @Boogiewoogietoo

Best laugh I've had all day

@Clavinova

Okay well it's a flimsy reason but better than nothing I guess.

So far we have in terms of tangible duties: a garden party, an awards do and being the patrons of charities. There may or may not be some extra work going on but who knows. Well worth it for £65 mil 👍

Surely the one thing pro- and anti-royalists can agree on is that who the Royals are as individuals is completely irrelevant to their position in our society, and therefore we don’t need to argue about it?

They are where they are by accident of birth or by marriage. We either agree with that system or we don’t, usually based on our particular personal philosophy and principles. Does anybody say “Oh, I would want a constitutional monarchy if our Royal Family were nicer, like those lovely Scandinavians, but they are horrible so I’m a republican”?

He does get about doesn't he;

21 February 2020
The Prince of Wales this morning visited the CAF Manufacturing Facility, Newport, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Gwent (Brigadier Robert Aitken).

His Royal Highness afterwards visited Aston Martin, St. Athan, Barry, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of South Glamorgan (Mrs. Morfudd Meredith).

The Prince of Wales this afternoon visited British Airways Maintenance Cardiff Limited, Barry.

His Royal Highness, Patron, Marie Curie Cancer Care, later visited Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and the Vale, Bridgeman Road, Penarth.

The Prince of Wales subsequently visited the flood-affected area of Pontypridd, visiting the High Street before meeting members of the emergency services and flood victims, Municipal Building, Chapel Street, Pontypridd, and was received by Mr. Philip Hubbard (Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Mid Glamorgan).

18 February 2020
The Prince of Wales, President, the Royal Shakespeare Company, this morning visited the costume workshop, Waterside, Stratford-upon-Avon, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire (Mr. Timothy Cox).

His Royal Highness this afternoon visited the National Automotive Innovation Centre, Lord Bhattacharyya Way, Coventry, and was received by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of West Midlands (Mr. John Crabtree).

The Prince of Wales, Patron, Almshouse Association, afterwards visited the Nicholas Chamberlaine Almshouses, All Saints Square, Bedworth.

His Royal Highness later visited the Veterans Contact Point, Armed Forces Centre, the Horsa Building, Bentley Road, Nuneaton.

The Duchess of Cornwall, Patron, Versus Arthritis, this evening attended a Reception for Women in Science at Clarence House.