AIBU to think the King’s speech was completely irrelevant to most of us

[CoastalGrey]

I know he’s head of the church but he’s also head of the country in general and religion is not a top priority for the vast majority of the people he supposedly represents. If the RF want to stay relevant it’s about time they used their positions for something more useful than spouting a bunch of fairy stories that cause many of the world’s biggest problems.

He did mention other faiths with respect. But it is Christmas - I think it’s logical to say something about Christianity on Christmas Day at least 🙄🥴

He has extensive professional support to carry out his role. The RF have huge numbers of staff. He is enormously privileged, lives in total luxury and wants for nothing. There are many hundreds of thousands or millions of people in the UK and across the Commonwealth who work harder than the king and a lot of them are living in abject poverty. The idea that someone should be born into obscene wealth and "rule" over people who are starving, homeless or otherwise suffering and that's OK because he "works very hard", belongs in the dark ages.

Absolutely, well said

Well said

I have never ever watched a speech on Xmas day from the king or the former queen.
I am not religious, I did not vote for them, they are there by bloodline only, and I doubt they have anything to say that’s relevant to me given their privileged status.

He doesn't rule, and he's not free to do anything else. He's given his whole life in service to his country, when he might well have preferred to be an organic farmer or a historian or a climate scientist. How utterly boring cutting all those ribbons and making conversation with endless strangers - and there is no retirement. Yes, he's wealthy, but can that make up for him dedicating his life to public service instead to his own talents and happiness? I don't think so. Talk about a gilded cage. And he can't just go out and about, and people write awful things about him all the time but he can't answer back. I don't think being a royal is as amazing as you think. Money can't make up for his wasted potential and his complete lack of freedom and lack of control over his destiny. Not everything is about money or is fixed by having it.

Similar with Kate. I know it looks like she's the woman who has it all, but again, she can't make any choices of her own, the country watches what she does or doesn't do like a hawk, and she is frequently criticised and bitched about, and she can't tell everyone to fuck off, as I'm sure she'd dearly like to. She made it very clear that she would be out of the public eye for a few months after her surgery, but there was a social media firestorm about where she'd got to which was later revealed to have been partially stoked by Russian trolls. And she also has no freedom, not being able to do ANYTHING or go anywhere without being stared at and reported on. Not to mention the endless kidnapping/shooting risk.

IMO, no amount of fancy houses and clothes can make up for ALL. THAT. CRAP.

Kate chose that life.

No, I don't think she expected the Russian bots and trolls. Or getting so sick so young. No one did.

We missed Queen Elizabeth’s speeches from her home. Loved a good look at the photos etc

True. I wonder if she regrets it. You probably can't imagine what it's like to disappear behind those Palace walls until you do it.

She must really love William. With the fame she got from dating him, her background and connections, and the fact that she's absolutely gorgeous, she could have had her pick of well-to-do young men. And then she could have had her life to herself. I read that she once told a friend, when they were teens, that all she wanted to do was live in the country and have lots of children and dogs.

I think her sister got the better deal. Sure, she's not an HRH or a princess and doesn't have the public status, but she has everything else that Kate has AND she doesn't have to sing for her supper.

If you never listen to something which is said you'll never know if there was anything relevant to you or not.

Are you going to feed the hungry today or visit the prisoner?

Quite 👏

I see the bit about tolerance went down well!

All of them choose to continue that life not only for them but for their children. Their purpose in life is to continue the Monarchy for as long as they can. They could indicate their intention to end it with William, or George. They could reduce it right down to the bare minimum and let their younger children live the lives of wealthy farmers or whatever and just have a couple of palaces but they choose not to. They have plenty of privacy- they are in public for the equivalent of 3 months a year. Charles may have wanted to be an organic farmer but he doesnt want the salary or the bills f an oranic farmer, does he? Same with William. He may want to be an air ambulance pilot but not to try and live on their salary.

Well then don't celebrate Christmas! It's completely appropriate for him to talk about religion on a religious day (yes I know it's originally not a Christian festival but it is celebrated now by Christians/Muslims (who both believe in Jesus) and every other faith that wants to! I think it's very unifying ☺️

I miss the Queen. Didn’t even watch the speech this year.

Some people seem to confuse what they think of the institution of the royal family with the content of the king's speech.

It is the king's speech which is being asked about here.

The speech was about all the positive human values that everyone knows, and I can't see why people would disagree with him on these.

These values will always be relevant so it follows that the speech about them was relevant.

I don't think it's irrelevant to talk about Christianity on Christmas Day.

Thanks Camilla!

If hearing about generosity, community and togetherness at Christmas feels irrelevant to you, that’s something you may want to think about.

I thought the Kings Speech was really good. I liked his inclusivity, seeing him walking with a Rabbi,talking about praying with the Pipe (a’masssive move of inclusivity given the history) talking about the terrorist attack on the Jewish community in Bonfi beach). I like Charles he is clearly a deeply spiritual person.

This is easily the nastiest and most vile post I've seen on MN this Christmas and says so much more about you than KC3. Well done 👏

there is no retirement.

Months and months of free time each year though.

Most sensible post!

In the UK church attendance is up due to immigration from Africa where there is a wide Christian population due to British colonialism and Christian missionaries.