How will the Royal Family end?

[JoyousGreyOrca]

The Royal Family will end. Not yet obviously. But within the next generation.

People often assume institutions like this fall slowly and gradually. We see a bit of that already happening with the reduction in "working" Royals, far less favourable poll results than when Queen Elizabeth reigned, and the willingness of the media to be more critical of the Royal Family.

I have seen people commenting assuming this means the Royal family will end soon. I think they misunderstand what is happening.

But society is changing and the deference that Queen Elizabeth attracted can no longer be taken for granted. Colonies are no longer happy for the Royals to carry out cosplay colonial tours on their soil, and increasingly they will remove the King as their Head of State. But I think when the end comes it will be sudden and unexpected. Similar to the fall of the Soviet Union. A clear weakening of the institution, but then a sudden, and shocking fall.

The aftermath will be very messy though as the Royal family try and fight for as much of the states wealth as they can, using the courts if they need to.

Sandringham has all those things! Charles is opening up more of the Crown properties (which Sandringham is not) more often and for longer periods of time alongside Balmoral.

I hope he continues to grant as much access to these historical buildings as is possible bearing in mind security.

@PrettyFlyforaMaiTai I asked the question, because there is no reason Charles can not carry on with this charitable work if he is not King. Loads of people, including myself, do a lot of voluntary work.

But there are lots of properties that are not open and hardly used by the Royal family. The Head of State has an official residence in each of the 4 countries that make up the UK and other mansions.
He only needs one house, and then there are zero security considerations to fully opening the others up.

Surely there are many charitable trusts around that promote dying crafts. I googled it and found a lot, some in partnership with government agencies. I know it's Charles's thing (and good on him for that) but it won't die out if he wasn't around which is just as well as I don't think William has the same inclination as his Father for dying crafts.
There are bursaries through the City & Guilds to promote heritage crafts.. some really moving stories actually. Bookbinders, leather workers, blacksmiths, wood turning, millinery... the list is huge.

Of course. But who is going to reach more people? The King of the United Kingdom? An old rich man called Charles who lives in the countryside? Or JoyousGreyOrca of Mumsnet?

I remember this specific programme because of the link to Charles. I also know that Rose Hanbury is patron of East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices because I was reading an article the other day about Catherine’s patronages and she was included in it. But I couldn’t tell you much more about other random people and all the charitable works they do.

He needs somewhere to stay when he visits each country in the United Kingdom he is King of. To assume he should only have somewhere in England is to diminish the status of other members of the Union. I don't know if they are all open to the public or not.

I expect Charles will continue to open up properties to a certain extent, it all takes time though.

You googled it and looked around because it was mentioned on here because of the Charles link. We’re not saying he’s the sole reason for these foundations and programmes, but he helps shine light on them. Again, I couldn’t tell you much about Welsh harpists other than I know about the then Prince of Wales having an official harpist and he is hoping to promote Welsh musical talent and raise the profile of Harpists.

I believe the number of properties the royal family have access to is 18. I think there are more but not all have access to them.
King & Queen have access to 12, totalling 2,000 rooms.

Fun fact.. Windsor Castle is the largest occupied castle in the world with 1,000 rooms.
I see it from the M4 when I drive to London.

@PrettyFlyforaMaiTai Really??You do not know that Taylor Swift donated a lot of money to African Parks Foundation? Or Dolly Parton's book programme? Or Stephen Frys supports MIND and promoting understanding of mental health? Or that Clooneys support and donate to refugee charities? Or Brad Pitt supports and donated to climate action causes?

Lots of celebrities charitable work is well known. What is true is that if all you do is turn up at a random charity for a 20 minute visit, you will not get press coverage if you are not a Royal. You will have to actually do the work. Some of them do and will be fine, others do not.

Yes I did google it because it was mentioned on here. But I have read about the City & Guilds before because the Association is quite prevelant near where I live so I am not totally green on the subject.
I was surprised at how many charities there are supporting heritage crafts.

Do not patronise me!! I actually know someone who has been on one of their courses and considered it myself.
Most people still would not have heard of the charity.

No we don't.

The NT is a charity and its work is funded by membership fees, donations and bequests.

I know! You asked if the public would fund the maintenance of historic houses, and I said they already do. The way they fund it is through fees, sales, donations and bequests, but it is the public funding it.

I know some of those, yes. The royal family and celebrities are famous. But how well known are old British artistos or someone who is not famous doing charitable works? Charles could still support these art forms but what coverage would that get if he’s just another nobody?

The King and the Royals are famous and therefore he gets coverage. People you know are probably proud of your charity work and donations but it’s not getting national/global coverage is it?

I wasn’t replying to you??

Why does Charles need coverage to help keep the teaching of ancient crafts alive? Can't he just quietly do his charitable work? Or is it all about getting attention?

I think it's Dumfries House...saw something on the telly not too long ago about it - and the young craftspeople who work there.

Ask the foundations that he supports what they think? It’s them who benefit.

They want the money

Well no - surely it's just important to publicise it to promote the whole idea of it - rather in the tradition of William Morris who championed crafts and craftspeople.

The more we see and hear about it, the more people will be interested and aware, maybe buy something hand-made or consider learning a craft. There's be little point in keeping it top secret!!!

I'm laughing at the idea that Charles promotes himself!! He really doesn't need to do that...it's the causes and the people he promotes.

Yes you're correct. I got the Dum right at least!!

Hmm - how though? Expand the NT? They wouldn't have the money up-front to take over these properties. Set up another charity competing for the same territory/membership? Ask government to fund them...which is sort of what happens anyway, only it's called the Sovereign Grant.

Don't see the point of breaking/mending something which isn't broken and is working brilliantly.

They want the exposure too.

It helps them get more patrons and donations. It also highlights the charity/programme to those who are it’s intended users/audience.

Why do you think they do royal visits to these places?

The charity does promote this locally where they are running these courses.