Why do you post on the RF thread?

[LaMarschallin]

I'll put my colours on the mast:

Tl/dr: I post here because I'm interested in the royal family and I don't know anyone in real life that is.

Longer story: my mother was fascinated - and had a very good knowledge - of the contemporary (to her) royals. She also disliked them enormously: "It's ridiculous! Some poor old woman, without two pennies to rub together, saying 'God bless you, Queen!'.

I'm probably a very watered down version. I'm a republican but feel that, while they're here, I might as well enjoy the spectacle. I'm certainly not a revolutionary; I enjoy my comfort too much.

I don't know anybody that's particularly interested in them these days. Generally, I would say, most people I know are mildly pro and I have some great discussions with my daughters re clothes.
But no one feels as strongly as some here. And, while that can be scary, the discussions can also be fascinating (sometimes in the way of a car crash...).

I can see that a lot of people now see it as a sort of reality show (Skip Charles! Vote William/Harry/Anne in!). I'm also surprised that people can take so much interest but have so little knowledge about how the institution works or of its recent history.

I could bang on a lot more, but won't because this thread will doubtless sink below the waves!

Over the years I have got to know about the activities of the BRF. I respect their dedication to supporting grass roots British past times /people/minority groups/ the elderly/ certain diseases. I admire their outward charisma and polite way, usually. I often find out something new or entertaining about British culture or towns etc.

I recognise that the BRF are just another family so I don't mind warts and all - they are not perfect. I appreciate their respect of religions; of the importance of prayer, acknowledging a higher being. I like their fashions and support of natural fibres.

I like the aspect of the BRF being apolitical. I like the Constitutional Monarchy way of government. It offers stability. I enjoy the ceremony, tradition and history of having a royal family.

If I were to choose someone to represent me on the World Stage I would choose the Queen or now King Charles rather than many of our politicians.

I am proud of the sustainability stance King Charles takes with the environment and endangered creatures.

Thank you for a reply which I found really interesting.
It's really nice to read a considered and unheated reply.
I can identify with some of the points you made - the fact they're apolitical is appealing to me too.
I like history and continuity although I see the argument for republicanism, especially in modern times.

I post because I think it's a venal, self-serving institution whose time is up and I can't find anybody IRL (including heavily blinkered DH) who cares.

I like the gossip/ so

Sorry sent too soon! I like the gossip and the drama. I post here because no one I know gives a toss in RL!

I’m really not much interested in the wider family, they are all very dull. My interest was in Diana as I found her fascinating when she was alive. I have taken an interest in William and Harry because they are her sons. It interests me from a psychological point of view, but no more than that. Their dynamics are fascinating. In general I think the RF need to be abolished now, the Palaces given to the National Trust , and they all need to lead normal lives and get jobs.

I read here and sometimes post and no one in RL talks about the RF. I agree it's had its day.

As I get older, I appreciate more that this country is better off financially and globally for having a royal family. We would be in so much of a worse place if we had a political system like the US. I have learned how much soft power the RF has around the world, which gives the country status beyond what it would be without. We have already squandered enough of this power with the self sabotage that is Brexit. Where did Cool Britannia go?!

I post on these threads to learn more about the RF, to understand and to communicate what I have learned. Tbh I didn’t take a great deal of notice beyond births, marriages and deaths. But since Brexit and H&M’s exit, I realise the fragility of this country.

The RF is an absolute constant and a calm above the storm. Still flawed, but human. My thoughts have also changed around the House of Lords. I thought they were a waste of space for a long time. But seeing the knowledge and experience in there, they are an anchor, helping to add stability to the turbulence of politics and much needed in recent years.

Idk if republicans actually understand the reality of this country becoming a republic. It would not be an enriching experience but yet another act of self sabotage. If the monarchy were no more and as much as the king performs a ceremonial role, his presence, permission and cooperation is needed for the country to function. Without him, it would literally grind to a halt, which is why after Charles I was beheaded, the role of lord protector was created to fill the vacuum.

It's interesting. I love Royal history (I can fall down wikipedia rabbit holes reading about obscure royals from history for hours) and I am actually a fan of (most of) the current family. I'm interested in talking about them, I enjoy talking about them. And I will fight anyone who still hero worships Diana/vilifies the Queen.

I love history in general, and royal history as a subset of that. Particularly because the heavy level of coverage of what’s going on in and around the monarch of the time gives you a wealth of information about social history, the position of women, what’s popular etc that is hard to find in anywhere near that detail elsewhere.

Growing up in the age of Diana meant that the current royal family were a huge focus of news and media attention, so I was constantly surrounded by stories about them.

Having worked in senior roles in political institutions, and knowing politicians and diplomats, I value the political neutrality and long term thinking that’s possible if you know you’ll have continuity in a role. Once of the biggest downsides of the Westminster system is that there’s absolutely no incentive to plan and deliver long term Everything is designed to make a bang and deliver a sticking plaster. I don’t believe that’s an effective strategy for combatting long term problems that beset our society. A constant cycle of elections and change in the role of a president would make that worse, not better. I also have a good awareness of how valuable the soft power they hold is to UK plc.

I'm finding these replies fascinating and am grateful to you posters who've taken time to reply
A bit of a theme seems to be that we've no one to discuss the RF with in real life. DH's interest stops at about William IV (although he's very knowledgeable up to that). My elder daughter went to London to "line the route" for W&K's wedding but had lost interest a bit by H&M's.

I also have a good awareness of how valuable the soft power they hold is to UK plc.
That is a good point, I think. As I said, I'm generally not in favour of one group of people being seen above others. However, it's what we've got; I'm not up for a revolution so am prepared to make the best of it.

I post because I think it's a venal, self-serving institution whose time is up and I can't find anybody IRL (including heavily blinkered DH) who cares.
So again, lack of anybody in RL who's interested. I admire your passion.

I find the whole history and the institution itself fascinating. I live in a " royal" town and support for them is very strong here, they are just part of everyday life.

I read and comment occasionally if I need to pass time a bit or if something about RF are important news ( like it was with Andrew’s interview) but I’m not so bothered about them. I also like gossiping 🙂.
I was unwell and in bed when Harry’s book was out so was commented more.

They are our history. If the monarchy were abolished (although I agree about royal family - when did this creep in?!) there would be nothing to this country… just part of a homogenous mass of the modern world.

I have never been particularly interested in royal goings-on, but Harry & Meghan - love ‘em or hate ‘em is the reason why probably 95% of us post.

Oh, yes - and the Andrew interview - best tv show this century!

I am interested in history, and how history is created (i.e. history is not just 'what happened' it is how we make the stories about the past, what is seen as important or not, what is recorded, what is kept etc).

Recently, due to H&M leaving, that process has been highlighted and I find it fascinating. That's why I engage in the RF threads at the moment.

I have never watched a royal wedding, a state opening of Parliament, gone to spectate at a royal event. I have worked on various events where the guest of honour was a royal, because that was (a very small) part of my job.

In principle I am a republican, in that I do not think people should be born into a position, especially being able to hold onto and perpetuate power, wealth and privilege. In practice I recognise that the RF is a symptom of the system and abolishing it will not alter the fundamental problems in the way elites perpetuate themselves and maintain power (Old Etonian or billionaire PMs for example).

So in any constitutional system the people in power will be overwhelmingly from the privileged few. Therefore having a hugely divisive and expensive process of change, without any clear consensus of what we are changing to instead of what we are changing from will be damaging without any clear benefit (cf Brexit!)

Oh, yes - and the Andrew interview - best tv show this century!

The musical wasn't bad either 😁

mixedrecycling

A lot of what you said rang a bell with me (although you phrased it better).

I am interested in history, and how history is created (i.e. history is not just 'what happened' it is how we make the stories about the past, what is seen as important or not, what is recorded, what is kept etc).

That's what DH doesn't see. The events happening in the monarchy (thanks for the reminder, ThighMistress) now he sees as gossip.
Probably doesn't help that I enjoy a gossip.

I have never watched a royal wedding, a state opening of Parliament, gone to spectate at a royal event.

Ah. I have and, given the chance of going to watch if it was convenient and easy to do so, would.

So in any constitutional system the people in power will be overwhelmingly from the privileged few. Therefore having a hugely divisive and expensive process of change, without any clear consensus of what we are changing to instead of what we are changing from will be damaging without any clear benefit (cf Brexit!)

I really feel this bears repeating and sums up my viewpoint far better than I've managed to.

The musical wasn't bad either 😁

True, but I still think the interview was better, just for the actual slack-jaw effect it had on me when I realised he really thought we'd believe him

Probably doesn't help that I enjoy a gossip.

Well, that's what history is, really 😂let's face it, the soap opera elements are often what becomes history, because ultimately we all get drawn in by stories!

After all, history is trying to understand why certain events do or don't happen, and that is basically the story of human motivations and actions.

There is a bit of a running joke on The Rest is History podcast about Kaiser Wilhelm starting WW1 because his British relatives laughed at him for wearing the 'wrong' shoes at Cowes Regatta... it is funny because there is a grain of truth in it!

I like the aspect of the BRF being apolitical. I like the Constitutional Monarchy way of government. It offers stability. I enjoy the ceremony, tradition and history of having a royal family.

This. I also like the idea that you can be patriotic even if you don't support the current government because you are loyal to the Crown, not the government. After 9/11 Americans were expected to support George W Bush or be accused of being unpatriotic. Donald Trump would represent the United States overseas. I love the idea that the Opposition here is "the Queen/King's Loyal Opposition" so you can't be accused of lack of patriotism just because you don't agree with the party that happens to be in power, that way lies totalitarianism.

I think a constitutional monarchy is the worst political system...except for all the others

Anyone who thinks the 'royals' are not political has been thoroughly gaslit.

It's not surprising though- the UK establishment has had a great deal of experience at propaganda.

It is a false argument to say 'we don't want to end up like America'. Why would we ? It's a completely different system

Getting rid of the 'house of lords ' does not mean there will be no second chamber so that can be put to bed.

Interesting that some royalists say is the 'royals' go there will be nothing left! How superficial is your view of this country if you need Mr Windsor to feel a sense of community .
Needing the 'spectacle' actually shows how damaging the 'royals' now are. It's a shallow superficial shiny facade and it's rotten behind the scenes.

Also weird that people think 'royals=history . It sounds to me as though a person who says that has never properly studied history . A real study of history is not a fixed list of dates and names - it's constantly changing and being re interpreted. It's a good thing that the role but the crown in slavery and exploitation is being throughly questioned now . Guess who is refusing to acknowledge any such study though ? Yes the 'royals' . Not the right sort of history eh?

The Windsors will still be around.
Republicans want them away from democracy and way from public money

I dont care what they do after that

I post to counter royalist inaccuracies.
I post to remind people of the covered up crimes of the 'royals' - (Andrew may well be among the least of it )

Because as a republican the level of dysfunction and toxic entitlement fascinate me, as does the level of public loyalty to such an institution and the seemingly wilful blindness to their more glaring faults

Novella4

I'm not the thread police and this isn't "my" thread, but I had hoped we could discuss here why we post and what our interests are, rather than being rude about other people's reasons for posting.

It's obviously something you feel very strongly about.

I post to remind people of the covered up crimes of the 'royals' - (Andrew may well be among the least of it )
I won't enquire further - I'm sure you'll tell all.

Having said that, it's obvious that some people (not necessarily you, Novella, you just made me think of it) post in order to change the minds of/correct others.
Imo, that won't be successful and just ends up in everyone doubling down.

I can certainly see the wish to point out inaccurate statements (and have occasionally done so myself) and post what I believe is the truth.
Another of my reasons for posting, I suppose.