Has the royal family outlived its dignity and usefulness?

[The Original Luna]

Has the royal family outlived its dignity and usefulness?

That is the question most of the british are asking.

 

Anyone who is anyone will have heard about the British royal family. People travel from over the populated world from lands such as Japan and China just to see Buckingham Palace. Buckingham palace is the residential home of the Royal family. With the recent arguments over Prince Harry’s controversial stunt as dressing up as a Nazi, which sparked rage and spread hurt-feelings in the media. Was this inconsiderate or just plain ignorance?

This obviously upset many people, especially with those who had relatives that fought in WW2. But what of the divisive break-up between Prince Charles and the Late Princess Diana, which ultimately led to her death in Paris? If the escapades of the royal family were made into a soap opera, it would attract more viewers than Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale all rolled into one.

Surely the royal family should keep a close monitor on what they are doing, as most families do.

But has all the pomp and ceremony gone to the heads of the right royal family?

Think about it for a minute… Would Princess Diana’s message on world poverty and eating disorders have been as well-publicised if she wasn’t royal? Would Prince Charles’s recent marriage to Lady Camilla Parker-Bowles have been as controversial as if it was a normal marriage?

[Ellie_Penguin]

This proves that money cannot buy happiness. All of the problems started when Princess Diana died. I think she had the most authority in the family and now that she's dead, no one else has any authority to tell her sons what to do.

[Glorious Gilbil]

Hmm, well I don't know that much about the Royal family or their purpose in todays society, but I think that cultures have changed drastically within the last decade or so. Things that were once considered taboo are no longer, and our generation operate more liberally and express ourselves more openly. During the time of the royal reign, things were much more "proper" and children were seen and not heard etc. Nowadays privacy is a thign of the past, clearly the royal family are no exception.

[The Original Luna]

I wrote the quote.

So far all is

Anyone who is anyone will have heard about the British royal family. People travel from over the populated world from lands such as Japan and China just to see Buckingham Palace. Buckingham palace is the residential home of the Royal family. With the recent arguments over Prince Harry’s controversial stunt as dressing up as a Nazi, which sparked rage and spread hurt-feelings in the media. Was this inconsiderate or just plain ignorance?

This obviously upset many people, especially with those who had relatives that fought in WW2. But what of the divisive break-up between Prince Charles and the Late Princess Diana, which ultimately led to her death in Paris? If the escapades of the royal family were made into a soap opera, it would attract more viewers than Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale all rolled into one.

Surely the royal family should keep a close monitor on what they are doing, as most families do.

But has all the pomp and ceremony gone to the heads of the right royal family?

Think about it for a minute… Would Princess Diana’s message on world poverty and eating disorders have been as well-publicised if she wasn’t royal? Would Prince Charles’s recent marriage to Lady Camilla Parker-Bowles have been as controversial as if it was a normal marriage?

If perchance, the royal family was abolished, what would happen? Granted, tourists would flock to see the sights and scenery of Britain such as Marble Arch and the London Eye, but would they still flock to see old houses where the monarchy of Britain used to habituate? Would people pay well-earned money to see old stately homes that they probably have over in their own countries such as the senate in America and the Louvre in France. Most likely yes. But why? Why has the iconic image of British royalty held in the imagination of people world-wide?

Is it possible that the rest of the world has seen British monarchy as an ideal rule? This is highly unlikely, but still viable, even though I wouldn’t back my money on it. More over I think that people respect the British royal family, as they have ruled Britain for the past 940 years, which is no mean feat compared to the other countries with shorter monarchies which have either been overthrown or handed to governments which rule in stead.

Anyone who is anyone will have heard about the British royal family. People travel from over the populated world from lands such as Japan and China just to see Buckingham Palace. Buckingham palace is the residential home of the Royal family. With the recent arguments over Prince Harry’s controversial stunt as dressing up as a Nazi, which sparked rage and spread hurt-feelings in the media. Was this inconsiderate or just plain ignorance?

This obviously upset many people, especially with those who had relatives that fought in WW2. But what of the divisive break-up between Prince Charles and the Late Princess Diana, which ultimately led to her death in Paris? If the escapades of the royal family were made into a soap opera, it would attract more viewers than Eastenders, Coronation Street and Emmerdale all rolled into one.

Surely the royal family should keep a close monitor on what they are doing, as most families do.

But has all the pomp and ceremony gone to the heads of the right royal family?

Think about it for a minute… Would Princess Diana’s message on world poverty and eating disorders have been as well-publicised if she wasn’t royal? Would Prince Charles’s recent marriage to Lady Camilla Parker-Bowles have been as controversial as if it was a normal marriage?

If perchance, the royal family was abolished, what would happen? Granted, tourists would flock to see the sights and scenery of Britain such as Marble Arch and the London Eye, but would they still flock to see old houses where the monarchy of Britain used to habituate? Would people pay well-earned money to see old stately homes that they probably have over in their own countries such as the senate in America and the Louvre in France. Most likely yes. But why? Why has the iconic image of British royalty held in the imagination of people world-wide?

Is it possible that the rest of the world has seen British monarchy as an ideal rule? This is highly unlikely, but still viable, even though I wouldn’t back my money on it. More over I think that people respect the British royal family, as they have ruled Britain for the past 940 years, which is no mean feat compared to the other countries with shorter monarchies which have either been overthrown or handed to governments which rule in stead.

[Foxy!]

Well, it seems as if they are less publicized here in the states than they used to be, which means they may well be losing their "shazam". But I really dunno.

[Samuel]

Of course their opinions, and Diana's marriage, wouldnt have been published everywhere at all if it wasnt a royal marriage. People up and down the country are in the same situations, just not royal. And these people tend to do a lot more, dont you think?

 

The British Royal Family is a tradition that needs to be kept. Not only does it bring in so much money from tourism related to it (I live close to Windsor Castle, and that makes bucketloads), it's been around since the 5th century. It's a tradition, and you cant just abolish it because it's 'boring' or whatever. Our history is revolved around it. And not only that, the Queen is recognised all over the world: she is the soverign monarch of 16 nations, totalling 168million people. Every single one of them needs to have an input on whethere the Queen should be their monarch or not, and that just isnt gonna happen.

 

Its tradition. They're loved - making them a popular tourist attraction - and they're just something that we should be proud of. We're one of the few countries with tradition still left: we have the House of Lords, and the Parliament is still in use; a Royal family...why should we give all that up? Just beacause it's the 21st century doesnt mean that we should give up on our nation's oldest institution.

 

And as for Harry, he's an idiot, tarnishing the reputation of the family.

[cloudedsunny]

Speaking as an Australian it is my opinion that there is no need to "abolish" a royal family. Yes, my country needs to become a republic and throw off our colonial past and try to forge our country into something we can be more proud of, and yes I think that all of the 16 nations (except the one that actually wanted them in the first place, England) should throw off the shackles of colonial rule too.

 

But there is no need to say "go away, we're ashamed of you" because people really aren't. Realistically speaking, they have no real political power, they aren't even among the top richest people in the world anymore, they are there as a figurehead, a rallying point. Yes they have done and still do stupid things, horrible things, but they are still beloved. People still have a soft spot for them and when push comes to shove (unfortunately!) countries still vote to keep them in power. Stupid referendum!

 

All of this controversy surrounding them....come ON people! That is HARDLY the worst thing that royal families have ever done! Seriously! If people will keep Henry the 8th after getting rid of one wife for not having a male heir, discarding the pope and the catholic church just so he can divorce and marry again, starting a whole new religion just for that reason, then marrying and killing what was it 9 wives?! Beheading them. Women he'd supposedly loved. Can you honestly say that anything this bunch of royals has been worse than that? And that's just ONE example! What about massacres, hundred year wars, assassinations galore, starving populations taxed til they're dying, slavery trades, burning people at stakes, torture chambers...oh wait, some govts still use that...oops!

 

Anyway, I think this lot gets bad press. Yes they're all idiots but so are we all. At least they don't use their power for manifest evil like SOME people I won't mention. GRR! Off with his head Mr Speaker.

[Chipmonker]

First off, take one off of yes and put it on no. I voted wrong :*.

 

[following said with emotional tone of: light-heartedness and joking, with no intention of trying to remotely upset anyone]

 

Anyway, I think the British should keep their monarchy just so they can stick it us Americans. :D

 

But really, it should be up to the British and the British alone whether or not to keep the Royal Family. Even though it would be really sad and deprive millions of old people out of their favorite past time (keeping watch on the Royals). :O

[Empress Keiko]

I really don't have an opinion on this. The royal family is there to look pretty. England would lose it's sense of pride, in my opinion, if the royal family was abolished.

[.Dan.]

The Royals have lived past their sell-by-date.We're all democratic nations nowadays,capable of our own governing systems.

Apparently they were originally German,with German surnames,but just because they were so pomp and stuck-up they changed the family surname,hoping to prevent anti-Royal action linked to the 2nd war.

[Ellie_Penguin]

Yea, but people don't talk about the royal family anymore...it wouldn't really make a difference since they have become a regular family with problems XD.

[Samuel]

Ehh, no, that's a load of rubbish. :P

 

Elizabeth married The Duke of Edinburgh (born Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark) on 20 November 1947. The Duke is Queen Elizabeth's second cousin once removed; they are both descended from Christian IX of Denmark (she being a great-great-granddaughter through Alexandra of Denmark, and the Duke a great-grandson through George I of Greece). The couple are also third cousins; they share Queen Victoria as a great-great-grandmother. Prince Philip had renounced his claim to the Greek throne and was simply referred to as Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten before being created Duke of Edinburgh prior to their marriage. The marriage was controversial. Greece's royal family was considered minor and in any event had received bad press in preceding decades. Furthermore, Philip was Greek Orthodox, with no financial resources behind him, and had sisters who had married Nazi supporters. Elizabeth's mother was reported in later biographies to have strongly opposed the marriage, even referring to Philip as "the Hun".

 

Its quite interesting actually. But its pretty much a lot of rubbish. Besides, most of the royal families of the world are relaed anyway. :P

 

Cloudedsunny does have a point, though, and she has proved that there is such a diverse history that we cant just shoot them because we're fed up with them. We're one of the only countries in the world with a tradition that is over a thousand years old...I'd quite like to keep it here :)

[cloudedsunny]

hehehehe "the hun"! Going back to the original question though (I ranted so much who knows WHAT I was saying lol) it never had any dignity in the first place, and usefulness? Hmm well no, not really. In terms of actual decision making sure, but in terms of public relations? They are definately useful. People get to hate Blair for making the hard decisions and love the jolly old queen of england even though in the end she has final say over it all (as far as I know anyway, I'm not up on the political machinations over there, sorry!)

[MOPGhost]

Well I think it depends what country.

[julie_kofoed1980]

I answered that I would like to keep the royal family - but bear in mind, that I'm thinking about my 'own' royal family i.e. the danish one

[Sylvi Genbu]

I vote to keep the royals because William is pretty. <3_<3

[julie_kofoed1980]

I vote to keep the royals because William is pretty. <3_<3

 

lol, that is partly why I like our royal family as well, Frederik is a hottie :P

[Iphacles]

lol, that is partly why I like our royal family as well, Frederik is a hottie :P

 

I pretty much think they are useless. They don't have a point at all and tourism wouldn't be hurt if the royal family didn't exist anymore. In fact it would probably be more profitable since the royal family cost so much money to maintain.

[Chipmonker]

You know, it would be quite interesting to see how removing a royal family from power would happen (at least nowadays).

 

The families would probably roll heads - not literally of course. But a Romanov situation or a complete political shut-down would probably have to take place to get it finalized. :(

 

Edit: Today I heard that on December 21, 2007, Queen Elizabeth II will pass up Q Victoria to be the oldest monarch in the history of England. (She is 81)

 

Congrats Lizzie! :D