Do you understand what a constitutional monarchy means?

[ShrikeAttack]

Do you?

I'm not sure many people actually understand what it means in terms of the UK and its political system.

I'm pretty sure why thats why Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are coming unstuck.

It's a social contract. The Royal Family can't really say or do anything. They are an unelected head of state who have to adhere to the rules, as stated.

They have all the pomp and ceremony, but they never had much choice.

They present the country.

[quote PersimmonTree]@PamDenick. With just 14.2% of the UK's population identifying as CofE and weekly UK church attendance for that religion at an all-time low, well below 1 million people per week, what is the point of having such an unrepresentative head of state? Why can't the 40 percent of atheists have their say? [/quote]
I just saw the first line of that in my TIO display and thought you were saying “With just 14.2% of the UK's population identifying as BAME....” My eyes came out on stalks wondering what was going to follow! What a horrible week for race relations

[quote BasiliskStare]**@floweryscarf* I think Oprah gave a platform for one particular* inside view of the Royal family.[/quote]
This.

Here’s a current viewpoint from overseas:

amp.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/02/queen-victoria-statue-toppled-in-canada-amid-anger-at-deaths-of-indigenous-children

@DudeistPriest

I know the Royals have no political power however I fail to believe therd is a cabal of men in suits organising every minute of their day and ordering them to go and open this town hall or you will be sent to bed without dinner, Your Highness.

I think this is exactly what happens. The "advisors" are The Firm, they're the ones who say x must do this/say this/wear this because is what tradition/etiquette/protocol dictates.

I can well believe Meghan was told she shouldn't do xyz because it wouldn't look right! I think the times its softer are the times someone like the Queen puts her foot down and says to hell with protocol!

@floweryscarf

She says at least twice in the interview that she quite literally couldn't really leave. She mentions someone coming around and telling her to lie low and she replied that she had left the house twice in 4 months. She then compares it to lockdown. She also explains that she was not allowed mental health assistance for fear of how it would look. It sounds like you're very much locked down!

I think most people probably have taken that comment with a large pinch of salt. It's like they took her passport away, but she was still able to fly to the States.

It must have been very strange though if she had to 'ask' to do something - and maybe on occasions 'told' that it was impossible. Normal for Harry though - shame he hadn't explained it more thoroughly.

@PamDenick

I'm not saying if it's right or wrong, I'm just saying it's fact.

We would need a new National Anthem, "God save our gracious queen…" could be… "Stay sane and healthy unelected head of state…"

Or we could do what other countries do, and choose a National Anthem that is about the whole nation. I dont think people do know what a constitutional monarchy. Especially Royalists who's common argument seems to be 'would you rather have the Queen or President Blair?'. Well neither, as a ceremonial Head of State would be replaced by a ceremonial Head of State not a Prime Minister. And I would rather not risk being forced to have someone like Prince Andrew or Edward viii as Head of State with no recourse.

@DarkMutterings

But this happens all the time with the aristocracy, or landed estates.
Charles Spenser got the House (Althorp) and the Earldom, etc.
Under the system of primogeniture, it was always the eldest male child, and if you remember your Pride and Prejudice, the house was going to a distant male cousin instead of any of the 5? Bennet daughters.
Of course, in the old days, one son usually went into the church, and one the army (cant remember which order).
But yes, nowadays, it should be expected that the other children should be self supporting.
The other problem is that the number of landed estates are limited (which were self supporting), so getting a job is the next alternative.
In an ideal world, the job would be uncontentious - I am thinking of Lord Linley with his furniture stuff. The point being they should not seek to trade (directly) from their Royal name