UK: Do we even need a Royal family?

[Beefy187]

Tradition that our ancestors have shed their blood to protect the existence of the Royal family is good enough reason for me to respect and protect them although I am not British.

In my country, we've had the good old emperor from the same family for what? 2000 years? I know thats a rare case but, thats something worthy of respect. Not because the emperors kept on getting on the thrown but because, no body in the past has ever tried if not, succeeded in overthrowing our royal family. And I don't plan to make my generation be the first.

So from my point of view, I don't want the Brits stopping the whole Royal family thing and making us feel like a loner.

[Sarmatian]

Monarchies are a relict of feudal times, and I generally dislike monarchs. I don't believe it helps revenues from tourism. I don't think more people would rush to visit Versailles or Schönbrunn if France or Austria were monarchies. When I was in US I went to see the Capitol, when I was in UK I went to see the Buckingham Palace, when I was in France I went to see Versailles. All three are powerful symbols of their countries. US is a republic, France is a republic that used to be a monarchy and Britain is still a monarchy.

In British case, they've had a monarchy for a long time and unless the royal family **** up something royally, I understand why most don't want to change it. But, I just don't like when someone has right to a position by virtue of birth, no matter how trivial or ceremonial the position is. It just rubs the wrong way...

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I don't think more people would rush to visit Versailles or Schönbrunn if France or Austria were monarchies.

I believe that they do, though revenue has little to do with why I support a monarchy. Certain ceremonies would simply not exist without a Royal Family, ceremonies which have people booking hotel rooms, flying British Airways, and sampling the local food and alcohol. It is an excellent stimulus for the economy.

[Sarmatian]

In this particular case, I don't think any Royal Family would get me to eat English food. I'll take good ol' republican French or Italian, even Russian, any day

[HoreTore]

Tradition that our ancestors have shed their blood to protect the existence of the Royal family is good enough reason for me to respect and protect them although I am not British.

In my country, we've had the good old emperor from the same family for what? 2000 years? I know thats a rare case but, thats something worthy of respect. Not because the emperors kept on getting on the thrown but because, no body in the past has ever tried if not, succeeded in overthrowing our royal family. And I don't plan to make my generation be the first.

So from my point of view, I don't want the Brits stopping the whole Royal family thing and making us feel like a loner.

Hmmm...... *tries to figure out what country has been ruled by the same dynasty for 2000 years*

Care to give the answer?

[Dîn-Heru]

Hmmm...... *tries to figure out what country has been ruled by the same dynasty for 2000 years*

Care to give the answer?

Japan I would imagine..

[Furunculus]

i would have said the same.

[HoreTore]

Japan I would imagine..

What? Didn't that guy get his head chopped off at the end of WWII?

[LittleGrizzly]

I don't think he did.... Japan is my best guess as well, i can't think of anyone else...

[InsaneApache]

I think 'Len' Hirohito died about 1984.

Do we need a Monarch? I'm no big fan but when you look at the alternatives, as in 'Yo Blair!' I'm glad that Madge can at least eat with her mouth shut.

[Dîn-Heru]

What? Didn't that guy get his head chopped off at the end of WWII?

No, I belive he just lost his divine status. ie before and during the war the emperor was a living god (or decended from gods). After the war he became a "regular" person (or human).

[CountArach]

Japan I would imagine..

Wow, I didn't realise, but according to wiki they go back to 660BC...

[Kralizec]

We don't need a royal family, although they're not any harm either. I just hope Charles doesn't get too noisy and want to start influencing decisions in the running of the country.

I feel the same way about our royal family. As soon as they start thinking they're more than just antiqued furniture, they're out.

[Lorenzo_H]

The Royal Family's power only rests as far as their status as celebrities allows their influence to be heard.

I say they are no harm. A bunch of fine ornamental fools who we uphold with our taxes in return for being able to boast to gullible American tourists about. Part of our culture really - and it attracts tourists, more importantly.

[Meneldil]

The Royal Family's power only rests as far as their status as celebrities allows their influence to be heard.

I say they are no harm. A bunch of fine ornamental fools who we uphold with our taxes in return for being able to boast to gullible American tourists about. Part of our culture really - and it attracts tourists, more importantly.

I wonder what kind of tourist would be interested in seeing the British Royal Family, but heh, people are weird I guess.

[Shaka_Khan]

Wow, I didn't realise, but according to wiki they go back to 660BC...

During the Japanese civil wars, the shogun didn't mess with the emperor. The fight was only between the shoguns.