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.

I wouldn't blame it on social media, but I think it all deteriorated, the main factor being the loss of mystique with trying to make them relatable, accelerated by the succession of scandals and squabbles.

From an American perspective, it's kind of sad. And it's only after the death of QE2 that it became clear how crucial she'd been over the decades, especially with international relations.

However, keep in mind that, as an American, I'm likely an ignoramus on the subject.

Can't see what's magical seeing people who are living off everyone else prancing about in their finery whilst looking down there noses at everyone else, receiving private healthcare and having the best of everything at everyone else's expense. Yes, am aware I've repeated the same twice but it riles me.

Short answer- no magic. Never had been. They should be abolished. They are outdated and not needed by this country in an capacity.

I find them all tedious. If people still want them, then ok - but it all seems a bit silly now. 🤷‍♀️

And yet Andrew would be king if it weren’t for an accident of birth order. That what you sign up for as a monarchist. You get no choice, just the next individual throw up by the Sacred Bloodline, whether he’s a Nazi sympathiser or someone who has sex with trafficked under-age girls. Ask yourself whether that seems to you an intelligent way of having a head of state in 2026?

The idea of a sacred bloodline is absolutely ridiculous. My son is the same age as George and the notion that his whole life would be mapped out for him is crazy. Imagine the pressure for George of trying to live up to all the expectations.

I am Irish. We elect a President for a seven year term. Our current President is Catherine Connolly and she is doing a fine job. Previous to her we had Michael D Higgins who did 14 years (2 seven year terms). A much more sensible approach in the year 2026.

I would add that I've been to the UK a lot over the years and the royal family isn't a 'draw' for me - there are way more interesting things in the UK. The royal family are just people (like your and I) who are held up to a ridiculous standard.

I also think that Harry uses his charities to try and keep his profile up... I'll be interested in what comes out of the Sentebale court case (next year I think?) as it has been alleged that he did not follow proper procedures around charity structures and that he was using it to further his own cause as opposed to the needs of those for which it was created.

I don't think we should be bowing and scraping and doffing our caps to anyone. It's such an unnecessary set up.

Well there always will be people like that - the rich. The supposed difference with / advantage of the royals is that they demonstrate the need for and benefits of public service - helping others less fortunate.

That’s one argument anyway and views will differ about whether this is accurate or helpful to society. Recent scandals involving the king’s household- brown envelopes of ME cash, Andrew and similar have not assisted them in any claim to moral leadership or as figureheads.

However, as I’ve said, i currently prefer them to the alternatives. I suppose the royal family and those who have married in are as likely as other groups to contain a majority of broadly decent human beings who want to do the right thing.

Great how ?

They have never held any magic for me but i still find them slightly interesting and much prefer them to having a president.
Though it doesn't sit easy with me having certain human beings put on an inaccessible pedestal living a life of indescribable privilege and luxury with the added insult of taxpayers funding a portion of it.
I think there was a change when the queen died and a bit of a 'shift' in society -she certainly wasn't MY grandmother but when she died i think there was a feeling for some of a grandmotherly figure type loss.
Now she's gone the ones left behind just don't seem to have the same impact she had on the country/world.
I get a strong vibe that it's now a bit of a chore for Charles who would probably prefer to just be doing his own thing with Camilla in the Cotswolds and as for William who i think is more switched on to how society feel about royalty i think it feels a bit uncomfortable knowing what he has ahead of him whilst being aware of how difficult a lot of families have it at the moment with no sign of change for them while his family live their best lives.
And as for his kids other than the youngest one , the older 2 look like rabbits in a headlight to me, i wouldn't wish their lives on my children ever.
So in answer to your question yes, any magic that anyone ever perceived about the royal family is likely long gone, but i think a lot of Brits think they do our country some good for tourism and economy .

Today’s PM change just emphasises the utter pointlessness of the royals. If we had no royals we’d still be changing PM! It doesn’t need a handshake and a statement from the palace

They need to stop that king’s assent nonsense .
Just stop - nothing will happen.