This is not an anti-royal thread.

[MayaAngelCool]

I'd genuinely like to understand what people think is the point of the monarchy, because I just don't see much point apart from tourist attractions, and for that we have Madame Tussaud's

Please go ahead and explain in as much detail as you like: so, for example, if you're going to say 'continuity', you need to explain exactly what you mean by that and how you think it's beneficial.

Thanks!

i think it's just for tourism.

There is completely and utterly no point. We subsidise a family - who are mega rich and don't need any money. We celebrate Mrs Windsor's fortitude in sticking at her job, but plenty of us do that, and don't have a street party. And by the way, we're losing a hell of a lot of productivity in this country by dint of that lovely extra holiday which most employers will give as paid even though they don't need to, Yes. up the royals. hooray for them.

I just watched a documentary presented by Andrew Marr about the Queen and what she does for the country. As I saw it in Australia though, I don't know where it originated, but possibly the BBC?
It's called The Diamond Queen (second part on tomorrow night here) so you could go and look for it on iPlayer, maybe - I can't remember all the fine detail but she generates a lot of income for the country that may not be achievable with politicians.
(baby brain is causing me to have severe memory fade just now!)

Thumbwiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch!

Gasp! "Baby brain"??! So that means...?!

Sure does! 18+6 and counting!

Wooh-hoo! That's awesome news (and far more interesting than any chat about the royals). How are you doing? Feeling ok?

Tiger & Boo - my natural inclination is to agree with you both.

Thank you lovely!
Doing ok, daily stab with clexane, scans so far all gone well, lost 1/2st in first 12w through nausea and appetite loss (and chocolate anti-craving! ) but feeling better now. Got a real wriggler too!

Well it sounds like you've had a lot to deal with but I'm glad things are more settled now. How's DS & DH?

All fine - DS is very excited and keeps telling people before I can - he has a name picked out already, it's Sludge. don't think so! DH very happy too - his selection of names doesn't bear repeating - they're not happening either.

Inspired DS!

How about one of these:

Descartes
Android
Jupiter
Cannelloni
Organicus

Any of my suggestions tickle your fancy?

I'll keep them in mind!
Haven't really started thinking about names properly yet, being very cautious about the whole situation in general, cos there's still a long way to go.

I was thinking about this the other day, people say the tourism generates too much money to get rid of them but I honestly can't see why the tourists still wouldn't come and pose next to the guards, check out the palace etc if the actual queen was no more. I can't see how jobs would be lost as the palace etc would still need maintaining, I can see more income generated by charging to actually go inside (hiring out rooms??)

Congrats on the baby btw!

Clicked on this to say that the Japanese royal family are even less useful that Britain's - our Emperor and Empress are in London at the mo

But OMG THUMB!!!! Huge congrats!

Point of the monarchy: means we don't have to elect a head of state who is connected to a political party, we have a figurehead who is neutral & above politics.

The Queen means we won't end up with George W Bush in the UK....and for that I'm grateful.

No we won't end up with George W Bush, but we won't have any choice if we get someone equally dippy.

I'm not sure who is worse George W or Prince Philip.

Prince Phillip is great! But would you want him as a head of state? (Iknow he can't be head of state here, really, but in practise we could get someone like him (a family member, perhaps?) and not be able to get rid of them until they died.

I agree that the monarchy made for an interesting history, but our monarchy , under the current model won't affect history to any great extent.

If we don't like the US model, we could look to the German model, which is a bit like an elected president who does the things the Queen does. Head of state, but not in charge of government policy.

Annie, of course I know you! :) Thank you, and you Tante and Sleepless!
Again, will keep the names mentioned in mind - in all fairness, if it's a girl, Fiona might be a contender, I've always liked it! But it might be unfair as it's one of DS's favourite films as well and I can already feel the way the teasing could go)

Oh I loves 'em, that's reason enough for you, surely?

I think you have glamourous, entertaining royals so the PM can get on with stitching up the country while we're all too busy talking about whether Diana Kate has an eating disorder.

And the point of a head of state without any power is??? Attend opening ceremonies?? Magazine sales??