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The royal family

Unofficial Draft Guide to RFF

546 replies

MrsStarkey · 29/07/2026 20:26

Was I the only one that felt a little badly for the MN team member who tried to get our input in order to help build a guide for this forum recently? That didn’t go as planned!

Am in the only one who laughed about Justine’s “The Royal family forum
is deranged” comment and can take it in stride? That thread was definitely an example!

I am proposing we try again and help crowd source a guide. I just ask that we don’t be so RFF, and have a sense of humor while we do so. I’ll paste my draft attempt below. Everyone is welcome to contribute however they like.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
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Waitingfortheotherfeather · 31/07/2026 10:02

AnAutumnCrow · 31/07/2026 09:35

I’m a long-standing Republican, and quite partial to seeing the end of the dreadful hanger-on ‘royal Houses’ of York and Sussex as well as (eventually and with careful consideration) the end to the institution of hereditary power. Can’t stand that ‘Republic’ shower, though.

Everyone’s pretty pleasant to me here, except for a handful of squaddies actually, who I assume like Prince Harry are monarchists. I’ve mentioned ‘pigeons’ a couple of times in response to obvious and tedious attempted derails and accompanying unnecessary snark, as it happens. From now on however I suppose I ought to be reporting directly to MNHQ, reminding them of their own post from EleanorMNHQ wanting the tea on the RF board in-jokes, traditions, evolved humour etc to help others fit in.

We all loathe Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, that’s consistent, I’d say. So there’s that.

Maybe we could see the end of AMW-related whataboutery? Tbh, that’s where I see the most worrying fault line on the RF board: the allegations allowed to stand that if you don’t support the Sussexes, you must support AMW. In fact, the whole ‘If this, then that …’ approach in general needs knocking on the head. Opinions, like arseholes, are varied.

Totally agree about our united loathing of AMW!

And joking apart, I agree with what you say about the snarkiness and factions.

I would just point out though that if you ever dare say anything favourable about Meghan or Harry, then one is repeatedly accused of being a “Sussex Supporter” and therefore it follows that you are someone who is automatically disrespectful to Catherine and William, which is a load of utter nonsense of course, so the “if you believe this, you must believe that” very much goes both ways!

So YY about the arseholes! 😬 😀

MrsStarkey · 31/07/2026 11:11

MrsLeonFarrell · 30/07/2026 14:08

I'm not sure saying "get over it" will encourage people to join in with discussions.

Personally the only rules I think anyone needs online are:
Treat people in the way you wish to be treated
Don't feed those who live under bridges
Participation is voluntary no one owes or is owed engagement

Tongue firmly in cheek with that one.

I like your rules.

OP posts:
MrsStarkey · 31/07/2026 11:52

I was hoping this time the thread would not be used to take a pop at anyone or praise anyone.

That’s what happened before and it shut down the conversation. That’s the difference between the other one linked above and this one. The other forum was annoyed at being asked. Annoyed at MN for asking. Not at one another.

OP posts:
threesocksmorgan · 31/07/2026 11:57

trouble is with trying to keep a thread nice is that it never works.
there are people on this forum who "own " it. it happens , it does make anonw new probably run to the hills.

MrsStarkey · 31/07/2026 11:59

Waitingfortheotherfeather · 31/07/2026 10:02

Totally agree about our united loathing of AMW!

And joking apart, I agree with what you say about the snarkiness and factions.

I would just point out though that if you ever dare say anything favourable about Meghan or Harry, then one is repeatedly accused of being a “Sussex Supporter” and therefore it follows that you are someone who is automatically disrespectful to Catherine and William, which is a load of utter nonsense of course, so the “if you believe this, you must believe that” very much goes both ways!

So YY about the arseholes! 😬 😀

Edited

Most posters here do not enjoy being labeled, and do not agree with the label applied and the false teaming is nonsense used mainly to discredit someone’s opinion.

OP posts:
Waitingfortheotherfeather · 31/07/2026 12:00

threesocksmorgan · 31/07/2026 11:57

trouble is with trying to keep a thread nice is that it never works.
there are people on this forum who "own " it. it happens , it does make anonw new probably run to the hills.

Yes!

MrsStarkey · 31/07/2026 12:27

threesocksmorgan · 31/07/2026 11:57

trouble is with trying to keep a thread nice is that it never works.
there are people on this forum who "own " it. it happens , it does make anonw new probably run to the hills.

There’s a thread running now that is “light”. It just isn’t getting much engagement.

There’s another about jewelry that seems active. I haven’t looked at it because I’m not interested. Have you?

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AnAutumnCrow · 31/07/2026 12:28

Someone's going to have to ask MNHQ why gifs are allowed, and in fact provided for use if someone thinks that they break some sort of guidelines.

From my very long experience of MN, certain imagery and expressions are just a very Mumsnet way of saying, 'leave it, Wayne, he ain't worth it!' so that posters who are starting to react to possible goading or repetitive derailing attempts don't end up getting themselves unnecessarily suspended.

Lots of talk forums (and boards within them) have a shorthand ways of saying, 'hey, maybe time to step back and take some time out?'

MrsLeonFarrell · 31/07/2026 12:42

LifeIsTooShort247 · 31/07/2026 09:54

An Instruction for Newcomers with an Alternative Mindset:

The Situation: If you post with different values, a different mindset, or an alternative opinion, you will at times encounter the phrases "don't feed the pigeons" or "don't feed those under the bridge."

The Response: These initial phrases are typically followed by a succession of similar comments and related GIFs from regular posters.

The Why: This collective repetition is designed to systematically shut down the conversation. By labeling an alternative viewpoint as a bad-faith "troll" or a "nuisance," it bypasses the need to engage with a different outlook.

The Outcome: Newcomers should be aware that this technique is used to maintain a single-perspective consensus. While it effectively closes down what could be an interesting, multi-perspective discussion, knowing the pattern helps you understand that your differing opinion is simply being managed rather than refuted

I don't understand the pigeon reference and haven't for a while. I'm assuming it came up in a thread I didn't read.

I did mention people who live under bridges and I apologise if anyone here felt it was aimed at them specifically. It wasn't. It is a rule I have for any online discussion group that I take part in. Don't respond to people who are obviously trying to get a reaction or derail the conversation. It helps me stay polite and it was a common rule when I started online (elsewhere not here) over 20 years ago. I find it useful.

Again it wasn't aimed at anyone of any opinion here and I apologise to anyone who took it personally.

MrsStarkey · 31/07/2026 12:44

AnAutumnCrow · 31/07/2026 12:28

Someone's going to have to ask MNHQ why gifs are allowed, and in fact provided for use if someone thinks that they break some sort of guidelines.

From my very long experience of MN, certain imagery and expressions are just a very Mumsnet way of saying, 'leave it, Wayne, he ain't worth it!' so that posters who are starting to react to possible goading or repetitive derailing attempts don't end up getting themselves unnecessarily suspended.

Lots of talk forums (and boards within them) have a shorthand ways of saying, 'hey, maybe time to step back and take some time out?'

Hard agree. I thought gifs were annoying an dumb but never tried to stop them, just ignored. Then started paying attention and found they are often witty and funny.

I also don’t understand why “cheese” and pigeons get mentioned in the same sentence.

OP posts:
jeffgoldblum · 31/07/2026 14:55

Waitingfortheotherfeather · 31/07/2026 05:16

Mmmmmm. I think your list could benefit from a bit of interpretation for the unenlightened MrsStarkey… .

~For “robust” read “downright rude” “condescending” and “often unnecessarily goading and unpleasant”

~If you are a Republican, be prepared to be challenged by six posters all at once, at least two of whom take particular delight in jeering and derailing

~Republicans, or those who disagree with the majority view, are not allowed to control the content of a thread without several Monarchists communicating off-site and then returning to silence your posting through strategic, coordinated nit-picking and harassment worthy of a particularly antagonistic fifth form girls hockey team

~If you are Republican do not whinge about the above or report any of the posts by the usual offenders

~Be prepared to have eight or so posters tell you condescendingly that they are more intelligent, more witty, more informed, more versed in legal precedent, than you will ever be, several times a day and moreover that they are right 😬

~GIFs will be used frequently to derail or undermine and in-jokes will prevail

~Wit and humour is allowed but only if you are a Monarchist. Try a bit of jesting as a Republican and your posts will be willfully misunderstood and reported.

~Thankfully not all contributors to the RF board are the same and several are unfailingly polite and decent

Thank you <simpers> 😬😆

Where I can agree though is that I also feel badly for Mumsnet Towers.

Edited

I will ask our longtime poster and friend, resident republican and bestower of the most robust and witty comments @CathyorClaire! What is your opinion of this post?
edit to add..i didn’t include you autumn because you are not as ( hardcore?) as Cathy 😁

jeffgoldblum · 31/07/2026 15:07

Oh and @MrsStarkey, I see your attempt at a lighthearted, jokey thread is unfortunately heading in the same direction as the official one! 😬

threesocksmorgan · 31/07/2026 16:04

why @ your mate. surely you can give an opnion.

IAmATorturedPoet · 31/07/2026 16:34

Now to be known as ‘HardcoreCathy’!! 🤭😘

(I took this to be a jokey thread 🤷‍♀️)

Threaten Self Defense GIF by Amanda Cee Media
MrsStarkey · 31/07/2026 16:37

threesocksmorgan · 31/07/2026 16:04

why @ your mate. surely you can give an opnion.

Why ask an avowed republican to weigh in?

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jeffgoldblum · 31/07/2026 17:20

MrsStarkey · 31/07/2026 16:37

Why ask an avowed republican to weigh in?

I did think it was fairly obvious and self explanatory! 🤷‍♀️

jeffgoldblum · 31/07/2026 17:22

IAmATorturedPoet · 31/07/2026 16:34

Now to be known as ‘HardcoreCathy’!! 🤭😘

(I took this to be a jokey thread 🤷‍♀️)

I did too! ( I do hope Cathy likes the unintended nickname?!) 😁

AnAutumnCrow · 31/07/2026 18:02

And I’m SoftcoreAutumn, the mild-mannered republican Grin

jeffgoldblum · 31/07/2026 18:08

AnAutumnCrow · 31/07/2026 18:02

And I’m SoftcoreAutumn, the mild-mannered republican Grin

🤣🤣 although..mild -mannered…that’s triggering some vague memory from the back of my mind!! 🤔

jeffgoldblum · 31/07/2026 18:25

I’ve got it!!… by day he’s a mild mannered janitor…by night…he’s the crime fighter….hong kong phooey ! 😁

Martial Arts Animation GIF by Boomerang Official
IAmATorturedPoet · 31/07/2026 18:38

AnAutumnCrow · 31/07/2026 18:02

And I’m SoftcoreAutumn, the mild-mannered republican Grin

🤣🤣

threesocksmorgan · 31/07/2026 18:42

And it starts

jeffgoldblum · 31/07/2026 18:51

threesocksmorgan · 31/07/2026 18:42

And it starts

What exactly?

IAmATorturedPoet · 31/07/2026 18:54

threesocksmorgan · 31/07/2026 18:42

And it starts

What starts?

simpsonthecat · 31/07/2026 18:57

MrsStarkey · 31/07/2026 12:44

Hard agree. I thought gifs were annoying an dumb but never tried to stop them, just ignored. Then started paying attention and found they are often witty and funny.

I also don’t understand why “cheese” and pigeons get mentioned in the same sentence.

I'm the GIF disliker, and quite entitled to that opinion. 🤣

A very long time ago I was on another forum, and when they allowed gifs, it all went a bit tits up to be honest.

But do keep GIFing if that's your bag.