Has the Royal Family lost its magic ?

[PhilipWilliam]

Has the Royal Family changed for the better or worse over the last 20 years?
I’m curious what everyone thinks.
Do you think the Royal Family is still as respected as it once was, or has public opinion changed too much?
Has social media made them seem more relatable, or has it just created more division and scrutiny?
I’d love to hear different perspectives from people who’ve watched the Royal Family evolve over the years.

It would certainly liven up the Opening of Parliament.

But why? Kate will be queen too. I don’t agree with the concept of monarchy but this is the way it goes…

That’s my point, just any old random. No basic standards required, and that’s how it’s always been, simply an over privileged nonsense. Occasionally some of them are good eggs, not quite so noticeably awful so easier to ignore. Then you get the Camilla’s, Andrew’s, Fergies etc who just remind me why it’s all so awful.

I like them but think they are making things naturally low key

Nothing low key about covering up for Andrew , half a billion a year and being above the law @rwalker

Talk to me about the “low key-ness” of which you speak?

I don’t think they were very respected when I was a dc in the 80s eg tampongate, toe sucking and spitting image. They gained a lot more respect but have reverted back to panto dramatics. but I think some people really buy into that. I don’t personally understand it.

MNs isn’t the right forum for this topic, as there are some ardent fans. Younger people find them far less relevant ime.

It’s the parasocial relationship isn’t it. Hence why Harry & Meghan are so disliked, people feel like they betrayed or whatever them/members of their family.

I like them and really miss Queen Elizabeth .
People who keep dragging Andrew into every discussion and very tedious.
As for those going on about Diana and Camilla.
Diana cheated too!!!

I never felt they was any magic tbh and I am in my sixties.

Well, much of that is very subjective, and I would never list Harry ahead of Andrew in respect of wrongdoings!

I am very far from a royalist but don't object to Charles and Camilla. Long term should be phased out or pared down more.

There is no magic. Now, about Father Christmas...

It’s a thread about the RF & respect & public opinion…Andrew will be a prominent topic in that context as inconvenient that is to some.

You find the cover up and smearing of victims ‘tedious’ ?

How utterly crass

Magic? Not since Elizabeth I, when most people were uneducated so abe to be mesmerised by jewels and talk of the divine right of kings.

What has largely gone is the mindless deference. My mother, not a stupid woman, nonetheless kowtowed to monarchy and resisted all arguments that the royals are there merely by accident of birth.

They are becoming less and less relevant and William will have to do a huge clean-up if they are to remain in any way relevant.

All that said, I'd rather have them than not. An elected president couldn't have delivered the speeches KCIII gave in the US earlier this year

The Wimbledon crowds who have repeatedly given the Princess of Wales a standing ovation would suggest otherwise - at least in some strata of society.

I think maybe you should do your research using different demographics. Is it just a pop piece for the DM or is it collating comments for a women's magazine?

Magic? They never bloody had it. The lot of them are a lazy, waste of space.

Agree. And certain there is much more we don’t know

Yes- the narrative that Harry’s behaviour is worse than Andrew’s is incomprehensible to me…..

I used to be a royalist, I thought they were great for tourism and I loved the pomp and circumstance. I felt they were a link to the history of our nation.

I'm now very much 'off with their heads' after watching the David Dimbleby documentary about their finances. I think it's an absolute disgrace how much money they syphon off and I think to a man and woman they are selfish. Apart from Anne.

Even the Queen who I really admired- she allowed basically an arranged marriage that was obviously going to make both Charles and Diana very unhappy indeed. The desperation to continue the monarchy at any cost seemed to come from her. I think she made a lot of sacrifices and put duty first but at what cost to others.

As for Andrew and his truly pointless family- they should all just back off and live normal lives.

I would keep Charles and Camilla as figureheads, but more in the European style. One palace, no money, no expensive coronation when William takes over.

Tbf I go to Wimbledon regularly and the crowd loves a clap, even pigeons get them! It’s not particularly indicative of anything.

I’m not sure why Kate gets a standing ovation for turning up to watch Wimbledon.

I’d be slightly more interested in them had Harry stuck around as I quite like him.

@wheresmeaircon Fair enough.

I despair of the dross and corruption- leaving Andrew aside ( always best) I’ve been revolted by the cash in brown envelopes stuff etc. They really need to be whiter than white and try to at least avoid the appearance of appalling impropriety.

It still seems to me better than the alternative but I want ethics, good conduct and some rigorous due diligence on chosen companions and confidants going forward - just common sense and basic morality.