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The royal family

This is not an anti-royal thread.

29 replies

MayaAngelCool · 18/05/2012 23:54

I'd genuinely like to understand what people think is the point of the monarchy, because I just don't see much point apart from tourist attractions, and for that we have Madame Tussaud's Wink

Please go ahead and explain in as much detail as you like: so, for example, if you're going to say 'continuity', you need to explain exactly what you mean by that and how you think it's beneficial.

Thanks!

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IAmBooyhoo · 18/05/2012 23:56

i think it's just for tourism.

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tigerdriverII · 18/05/2012 23:58

There is completely and utterly no point. We subsidise a family - who are mega rich and don't need any money. We celebrate Mrs Windsor's fortitude in sticking at her job, but plenty of us do that, and don't have a street party. And by the way, we're losing a hell of a lot of productivity in this country by dint of that lovely extra holiday which most employers will give as paid even though they don't need to, Yes. up the royals. hooray for them.

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Thumbwitch · 19/05/2012 00:02

I just watched a documentary presented by Andrew Marr about the Queen and what she does for the country. As I saw it in Australia though, I don't know where it originated, but possibly the BBC?
It's called The Diamond Queen (second part on tomorrow night here) so you could go and look for it on iPlayer, maybe - I can't remember all the fine detail but she generates a lot of income for the country that may not be achievable with politicians.
(baby brain is causing me to have severe memory fade just now!)

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MayaAngelCool · 19/05/2012 00:21

Thumbwiiiiiiiiiiiiiitch! GrinGrinGrin

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MayaAngelCool · 19/05/2012 00:22

Gasp! "Baby brain"??! So that means...?!Wink

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Thumbwitch · 19/05/2012 00:27

Sure does! 18+6 and counting! GrinGrinGrin

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MayaAngelCool · 19/05/2012 00:29

Wooh-hoo! That's awesome news (and far more interesting than any chat about the royals). How are you doing? Feeling ok?

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MayaAngelCool · 19/05/2012 00:30

Tiger & Boo - my natural inclination is to agree with you both.

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Thumbwitch · 19/05/2012 00:32

Thank you lovely!
Doing ok, daily stab with clexane, scans so far all gone well, lost 1/2st in first 12w through nausea and appetite loss (and chocolate anti-craving! Shock) but feeling better now. Got a real wriggler too! Grin

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MayaAngelCool · 19/05/2012 00:38

Well it sounds like you've had a lot to deal with but I'm glad things are more settled now. How's DS & DH?

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Thumbwitch · 19/05/2012 00:47

All fine - DS is very excited and keeps telling people before I can - he has a name picked out already, it's Sludge. Hmm don't think so! DH very happy too - his selection of names doesn't bear repeating - they're not happening either. Grin

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MayaAngelCool · 19/05/2012 00:52

Grin Inspired DS!

How about one of these:

Descartes
Android
Jupiter
Cannelloni
Organicus

Any of my suggestions tickle your fancy? Wink

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Thumbwitch · 19/05/2012 01:09

I'll keep them in mind! Wink
Haven't really started thinking about names properly yet, being very cautious about the whole situation in general, cos there's still a long way to go.

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sleeplessinsuburbia · 19/05/2012 04:41

I was thinking about this the other day, people say the tourism generates too much money to get rid of them but I honestly can't see why the tourists still wouldn't come and pose next to the guards, check out the palace etc if the actual queen was no more. I can't see how jobs would be lost as the palace etc would still need maintaining, I can see more income generated by charging to actually go inside (hiring out rooms??)

Congrats on the baby btw!

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AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 19/05/2012 04:57

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnnieOnAMapleLeaf · 19/05/2012 04:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TanteRose · 19/05/2012 05:28

Clicked on this to say that the Japanese royal family are even less useful that Britain's - our Emperor and Empress are in London at the mo

But OMG THUMB!!!! Huge congrats! Grin Thanks

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marshmallowpies · 19/05/2012 06:11

Point of the monarchy: means we don't have to elect a head of state who is connected to a political party, we have a figurehead who is neutral & above politics.

The Queen means we won't end up with George W Bush in the UK....and for that I'm grateful.

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HandMadeTail · 19/05/2012 06:24

No we won't end up with George W Bush, but we won't have any choice if we get someone equally dippy.

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raininginbaltimore · 19/05/2012 06:36

I'm not sure who is worse George W or Prince Philip.

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HandMadeTail · 19/05/2012 06:52

Prince Phillip is great! But would you want him as a head of state? (Iknow he can't be head of state here, really, but in practise we could get someone like him (a family member, perhaps?) and not be able to get rid of them until they died.

I agree that the monarchy made for an interesting history, but our monarchy , under the current model won't affect history to any great extent.

If we don't like the US model, we could look to the German model, which is a bit like an elected president who does the things the Queen does. Head of state, but not in charge of government policy.

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Thumbwitch · 19/05/2012 08:27

Annie, of course I know you! :) Thank you, and you Tante and Sleepless!
Again, will keep the names mentioned in mind Wink - in all fairness, if it's a girl, Fiona might be a contender, I've always liked it! But it might be unfair as it's one of DS's favourite films as well and I can already feel the way the teasing could go)

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SuePurblybilt · 19/05/2012 08:32

Oh I loves 'em, that's reason enough for you, surely? Wink

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PullUpAPew · 19/05/2012 08:37

I think you have glamourous, entertaining royals so the PM can get on with stitching up the country while we're all too busy talking about whether Diana Kate has an eating disorder.

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sleeplessinsuburbia · 19/05/2012 09:46

And the point of a head of state without any power is??? Attend opening ceremonies?? Magazine sales??

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