British Royal Family - Page 37

**knobby109** · June 25th, 2013, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winebeavis

Not really for or against. I suppose "I don't have a dog in this fight." It doesn't mean much to me. . . for obvious reasons. I suppose I still have trouble figuring if I was born in the land of my grandfathers I'd care.

On one hand, I'm supposing it hasn't effected the average guy at all in the last couple hundred years. On the other hand, it is kind of cool to have a figurehead monarch. But on a day to day basis, is it really that big of a fuss? Really?

I have to admit that I can go weeks without even thinking of who is the president of the u.s. --which some tell me is a good thing. Is it really that different in the UK?

Fact is the Royal Family can do things that wouldn't work as well using anyone else.Like the Queen's trip to Ireland where she did much to heal the hurt , no politician would have had the clout.Politicians come and go and are mistrusted. You can see the effect a Royal visit has on communities, it's not for nothing that the Queen knows what fresh paint smells like

**richardoe** · June 25th, 2013, 04:33 PM

Apparently the Queen has said that she doesn't like the smell of fresh paint! She appreciates that people do smarten places up before she visits, but she doesn't like the smell of paint.

Annette4 · June 25th, 2013, 08:42 PM

I suppose I would call myself a Royalist but almost by default, since the alternative, an elected Presidency, is bound to be a great deal worse. Partisan politics has ruined so much of what was once Great about the UK, it would be a tragedy to create yet another political office to be fought over by the political class and ultimately to become nothing more than a retirement gift for a former PM (President Blair, anyone?) I`m not sure who said this, but they are making the pro-Monarchy case far more eloquently than I ever could...

**rupertramjet** · June 25th, 2013, 10:36 PM

I took an oath when I was eighteen to serve The Queen, her Successors and any Minister Appointed by her, in a lawful manner. I have never regreted the first part of that oath, and like a lot of folk, who have been privileged to see the Royals in action, can only say the effect they have on people is incredible.

The young Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are like a forest fire when they hit a town, the enthusiasm and feeling of good will they generate is fantastic, and I think the Crown will be in great hands when they wear it.

The Duchy of Lancaster, wholly owned by the Queen contributes nearly a billion a year to the exchequer, far more than they get back! So yeah I am a Royalist, proud of most of them and privileged to have served and met them.

Can think of at least one who is probably a member of VEF!

**richardoe** · June 26th, 2013, 04:38 PM

I actually met an officer of the British Armed Forces who was actually in favour of Britain being a Republic. I did ask him why he took the Queens commission but didn't get a satisfactory answer.

And it must be said that apart from the late Willie Hamilton and a few other people there has never been any serious talk of this country becoming a Republic again.

**richardoe** · June 26th, 2013, 08:30 PM

If Harry had been serving in the German forces in 1940 he would have been improperly dressed. The photo showed him wearing a German Army officers uniform from wwii with a swastika armband. German army officers didn't wear the swastika armband, that was for the likes of the GESTAPO. Boy am I a nerd!!!!

And I agree with you about the media, I suppose the Diana effect is the reason.

**scoundrel** · June 26th, 2013, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardoe

I actually met an officer of the British Armed Forces who was actually in favour of Britain being a Republic. I did ask him why he took the Queens commission but didn't get a satisfactory answer.

And it must be said that apart from the late Willie Hamilton and a few other people there has never been any serious talk of this country becoming a Republic again.

I would not assume that Britain will never become a republic. I don't support such a move myself but there are quite a few people who might. It would only require a really bad monarch to take the throne (and IMHO Prince Charles would probably be a stinker) and the floor will be thrown open to serious debate on this question. We had a let off when Edward VIII abdicated; a good king or queen is far better than a president IMHO, but a bad king or queen is a damn sight worse. It's been so long since Queen Elizabeth was crowned that not many people are left who still remember George VI, who was a very good king and we were very lucky to have him. Still fewer remember his worthless playboy older brother's brief tenure, and his idea that status and privilege could be had without duty or responsibility. But Prince Charles does suggest Edward VIII to me, a weak and petulant person; one can only hope he has a greater sense of duty when his time comes. At least, like Edward VII, he will already be old when he is crowned, so his reign will be relatively brief.

As a matter of fact I swore an oath a loyalty: I used to be a cub scout once upon a time, and in my day the scouts promised to do their duty to God and the Queen, which excluded both atheists and republicans from the movement. But whenever Prince Charles succeeds Queen Elizabeth, my oath expires and I am free to reconsider.

Long live the Queen.

**haroldeye** · June 27th, 2013, 06:42 AM

I think you'll be surprised about Prince Charles - Camilla seems to have helped him grow up.

**knobby109** · June 27th, 2013, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haroldeye

I think you'll be surprised about Prince Charles - Camilla seems to have helped him grow up.

Roy Hattersley , who is a republican but also knows Charles well has gone on record to say he would make an excellent King.
His job description could be "waiting for my mother to die" but in fact he does a tremendous amount of work, last year he undertook 480 public engagements of which 112 were abroad.Throw into that the time spent travelling between them , it's a busy schedule.

**Mal Hombre** · June 27th, 2013, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scoundrel

I would not assume that Britain will never become a republic. I don't support such a move myself but there are quite a few people who might. It would only require a really bad monarch to take the throne (and IMHO Prince Charles would probably be a stinker)

To be honest,There isn't really much scope to be a bad monarch any more,Since Charles' namesake Charles I lost His head.

June 25th, 2013, 04:33 PM	#362
richardoe Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,812 Thanks: 1,424 Thanked 24,132 Times in 2,726 Posts	Apparently the Queen has said that she doesn't like the smell of fresh paint! She appreciates that people do smarten places up before she visits, but she doesn't like the smell of paint. __________________ Richardoe To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

June 25th, 2013, 10:36 PM	#364
rupertramjet R.I.P. Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cloud cuckoo land Posts: 4,300 Thanks: 26,852 Thanked 54,117 Times in 4,288 Posts	I took an oath when I was eighteen to serve The Queen, her Successors and any Minister Appointed by her, in a lawful manner. I have never regreted the first part of that oath, and like a lot of folk, who have been privileged to see the Royals in action, can only say the effect they have on people is incredible. The young Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are like a forest fire when they hit a town, the enthusiasm and feeling of good will they generate is fantastic, and I think the Crown will be in great hands when they wear it. The Duchy of Lancaster, wholly owned by the Queen contributes nearly a billion a year to the exchequer, far more than they get back! So yeah I am a Royalist, proud of most of them and privileged to have served and met them. Can think of at least one who is probably a member of VEF! Last edited by rupertramjet; June 26th, 2013 at 10:39 AM..

June 26th, 2013, 04:38 PM	#365
richardoe Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,812 Thanks: 1,424 Thanked 24,132 Times in 2,726 Posts	I actually met an officer of the British Armed Forces who was actually in favour of Britain being a Republic. I did ask him why he took the Queens commission but didn't get a satisfactory answer. And it must be said that apart from the late Willie Hamilton and a few other people there has never been any serious talk of this country becoming a Republic again. __________________ Richardoe To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

June 26th, 2013, 08:30 PM	#366
richardoe Vintage Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 2,812 Thanks: 1,424 Thanked 24,132 Times in 2,726 Posts	If Harry had been serving in the German forces in 1940 he would have been improperly dressed. The photo showed him wearing a German Army officers uniform from wwii with a swastika armband. German army officers didn't wear the swastika armband, that was for the likes of the GESTAPO. Boy am I a nerd!!!! And I agree with you about the media, I suppose the Diana effect is the reason. __________________ Richardoe To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

June 25th, 2013, 08:42 PM	#363
Annette4 Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: UK Posts: 49 Thanks: 543 Thanked 796 Times in 48 Posts	I suppose I would call myself a Royalist but almost by default, since the alternative, an elected Presidency, is bound to be a great deal worse. Partisan politics has ruined so much of what was once Great about the UK, it would be a tragedy to create yet another political office to be fought over by the political class and ultimately to become nothing more than a retirement gift for a former PM (President Blair, anyone?) I`m not sure who said this, but they are making the pro-Monarchy case far more eloquently than I ever could...

June 27th, 2013, 06:42 AM	#368
haroldeye Moderator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Halfwitistan Posts: 5,716 Thanks: 113,534 Thanked 59,970 Times in 5,708 Posts	I think you'll be surprised about Prince Charles - Camilla seems to have helped him grow up.