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Original poster

Could this be the end of the Royal family?

839 replies

BeijingBikini · 30/03/2020 12:52

I don't mean if they die of the virus...

But there's nothing like a lockdown to really highlight inequality. I saw an article yesterday about Kate + William "isolating" at Anmer Hall, having done a photoshoot where they pretend to be on the telephone and writing ("working").

I think if people are going to have to spend months at home, in small flats with kids, still going out to work or trying to WFH, queueing for supermarkets with empty shelves......that could definitely breed some discontent. Or if people catch it and have to be treated in makeshift hospitals, not getting an ambulance until they're struggling to breathe, while the RF can be whisked away to a private hospital for treatment. I've already seen a lot of comments along the lines of "why don't they offer up their many palaces to be used as hospitals, rather than doing newspaper articles".

Opinions?

OP posts:
Mlou32 · 30/03/2020 14:03

The fact that they are having to self isolate in their house, which happens to be bigger than my house which I am self isolating in, neither affects me nor bothers me.

And the suit? M&S. She's hardly draped over a table dripping in diamonds and Prada...

IsisCam · 30/03/2020 14:04

To be honest, I think it might if anything lose a lot of its former attraction when Charles becomes a king. He is as uncharismatic as they come - I find it hard to imagine a person who “connects” to Charles.

GrolliffetheDragon · 30/03/2020 14:06

Or if people catch it and have to be treated in makeshift hospitals, not getting an ambulance until they're struggling to breathe, while the RF can be whisked away to a private hospital for treatment.

How many private hospitals have ventilators? If they needed that level of care they'd most likely be looking at NHS.

Kahlua4me · 30/03/2020 14:06

Celebrities have huge houses and bank accounts too and they won’t be going to the local hospital if they get sick. Their money comes from all of us in tickets and sales - football, cinema, tv, music etc.

Most of them give nothing back to the economy, even dodging taxes but nobody ever complains about them...

CanIHaveAPenguinPlease · 30/03/2020 14:07

There are always people who will have more or less than people you know.

Less money but maybe a better partner. Disabled but happy with their lot (me).
Well off but a shit of a partner. (I know a few like this) & so on.

C130 · 30/03/2020 14:09

At least celebrities seem to do some graft for their money. What is it the royal family do again?

definitelygc · 30/03/2020 14:09

But the point is that they're not just any old wealthy celebrities, they are senior royals which is supposed to be an important role. They have a massive platform and a responsibility to pull their finger out, especially when the nation is in turmoil. If the don't want that responsibility and just want to sit around in their palaces then fine, do what Harry did, but at least have the bloody decency to abdicate. If any of us had that platform, bags of cash and minimal childcare responsibilities we'd be wanting to do everything we possibly could to help.

lentenwonder · 30/03/2020 14:09

I know several people who've sodded off to second homes - it's what wealthy people do, get out of cities where they're more likely to catch things. It's been going on since before the Black Death.

They're no more tone deaf than Ed Miliband and his 2 kitchens.

audreysview · 30/03/2020 14:10

You do understand we’d be worse off without them? They pay essentially 80% tax on their estates. Yes they’re incredibly wealthy all the same but the other solution us to sell it off to ‘normal’ people and get 40% tax off the estates.

No that’s not true, the crown estates aren’t theirs to keep. They’d revert back to us if they were gone. We’d be a hell of a lot better off, and tourists would still come.

TheWordmeister · 30/03/2020 14:11

I’d love to see the end of them, but I bet it won’t happen.

Thekindofwindowsfaceslookinat · 30/03/2020 14:11

To be honest, I think it might if anything lose a lot of its former attraction when Charles becomes a king. He is as uncharismatic as they come

It pains me to say it as I firmly think the royal family should be abolished, but although I haven't met him, I know two people who - separately - know him fairly well.

Neither person is a royalist by any means - their initial contact was professional and it grew into a sort-of friendship. I wouldn't do them the disservice of giving any detail, but they both like him and speak well of him.

Exoffice · 30/03/2020 14:12

You do understand we’d be worse off without them?

are you saying that if something generates money, it makes it right? Hmm

lentenwonder · 30/03/2020 14:12

the queen and prince charles have a huge amount of private wealth that couldn't be clawed back.

I can't see why anyone would be interested in them or any other celebrity, just that whatever we clawed back, it'd cost us more in the end to have our supermarkets etc opened.

T1redmum1 · 30/03/2020 14:12

I like the Royal Family, they‘re good for morale, and usually help shine a light on under represented charities or issues. However, I’ve been surprised at how quiet William and Catherine have been. I agree that the staged photos, rather than a video message, was strange and an unusual PR misstep. It did make me wonder whether, in light of Prince Charles diagnosis, they were also isolating, or perhaps Prince William had quietly returned to his role in the Air ambulance?

chomalungma · 30/03/2020 14:12

As I said on my thread:

Where is the Royal Address?

They have Zoom etc. It is not hard for the Queen or Prince Charles to address the nation.

People know what a Royal Address is at time of need

King George VI did it when WW2 broke out

Thekindofwindowsfaceslookinat · 30/03/2020 14:13

You do understand we’d be worse off without them?

Why, are they working a cure for COVID-19?

Otherwise, we don't.

audreysview · 30/03/2020 14:14

Celebrities have huge houses and bank accounts too and they won’t be going to the local hospital if they get sick. Their money comes from all of us in tickets and sales - football, cinema, tv, music etc.

Most of them give nothing back to the economy, even dodging taxes but nobody ever complains about them...

They aren’t taxpayer funded. Pointless statement.

Zilla1 · 30/03/2020 14:14

Kahlua, even before COVID led to the UK's private hospitals contracting their capacity to the NHS, where do you think the rich go for emergency treatment, critical care and ITU? I could be wrong but except for King Edward VII in London and similar for maternity like the Portland, I thought most UK private hospitals perform elective and send emergency work to NHS. Certainly I've seen botched private care cosmetic carted off to the NHS to stabilise then fix, to some extent privatising the profit and socialising the cost.

audreysview · 30/03/2020 14:16

If the royals had to be elected, how many would vote for Charles?

Wolfgirrl · 30/03/2020 14:17

I like the Royal Family, they‘re good for morale, and usually help shine a light on under represented charities or issues. However, I’ve been surprised at how quiet William and Catherine have been. I agree that the staged photos, rather than a video message, was strange and an unusual PR misstep. It did make me wonder whether, in light of Prince Charles diagnosis, they were also isolating, or perhaps Prince William had quietly returned to his role in the Air ambulance?

Good for morale??? Where are they now, when morale is at an all time low and we are in the worst state since ww2???

Please dont make excuses for them, they really dont deserve it.

Brookeinabook · 30/03/2020 14:18

YANBU. I've never been too fussed either way about the Royals as I thought they were the checks and balance on the constitution, but after the proroguing of parliament realised they have no purpose other than tourism.

The way they booted out Harry and Megan, the whole PR campaign from William and Kate (which I find an insult to my intelligence) and the recent events showing how very pampered they are, has massively put me off them. Even clapping the NHS for a publicity stunt seemed a bit stomach churning when we know they wouldn't have to be queuing up for ventilators themselves or dipping their hands in their pockets for the NHS. The Queen is admirable for her sense of duty, and comes from a different era. After her reign I think the Royals should massively scale back and modernise.

pallasathena · 30/03/2020 14:20

I think it's had its day this royalty business.
I really admire the French and their form of government. Very civilised and you get to gawp at all their stunning chateaus for a very fair price, knowing that all the entrance fees paid go completely into their upkeep.
No National Trust aristos living rent free there either.

ssd · 30/03/2020 14:20

I read Harry and meghan took a private jet when they moved to LA.
Will they ever learn??

definitelygc · 30/03/2020 14:20

@Zilla1 this is true. If a royal went into labour in a private hospital and there was a serious emergency (e.g. she had a stroke) then she would have to be whisked off to an NHS hospital. Private hospitals don't have these specialist facilities which is why they have worse health outcomes than the NHS. Private is only good for routine things that would otherwise have long waiting times at the NHS.

AnneofTeenFables · 30/03/2020 14:20

It won't make any difference. People who support the RF will still support them. Those who don't, won't.
It's not a surprise to monarchists that the RF are rich, have lots of houses, get special treatment. Just as it's not a surprise that footballers, actors, pop stars are rich, have lots of houses, get special treatment.
I'd prefer if it led to an adjustment in salaries but since celebs think singing on camera Hmm is a worthwhile contribution just now, I don't think any of them are planning on changing their lifestyles or donating any time soon. James McAvoy excepted obviously