Charles and Camilla

That reminds me of one day last year when I was looking at the art in the Pavilion Gardens in Buxton standing next to a man who was so familiar I was about to speak when my friend nudged me and pointed out it was the Duke of Devonshire and I realized the series on Chatsworth had just been on television.

I worked with a girl who took a party of Venture Scouts to camp at Sandringham. One morning she met an elderly lady out walking, they had a nice chat about the weather and what the scouts were doing and so on. It was half an hour later that she realised why the nice old lady had looked so familiar - I think it was the hearscarf that did it

I Quite like Camilla...she is more norm than most of the Royal Family. I work in events etc...we did work on the queens jubilee last year. Camilla did remember us as the 440 people who Worked backstage. She also said hello when we were on the royal barge up the Thames. Can"t fault her on official events!

If nothing else, Charles will be different from previous monarchs because we already know a lot about him. There is no longer the mystique that surrounded the Queen. He often agrees to be interviewed and gives public support to his causes. Not everyone agrees with his passions and interests but he is well meaning and I think will be a popular King.

Personally, I think being King or Queen must be a thankless task these days - everything you do or say or spend is scrutinised either by the government, the media or those who hate Royalty. And really all you are is a figure head, someone who is rolled out on state occasions to meet people you really wouldn't want to spend time with under other circumstances. You have no real power, just a bit of influence. You can't have a real private life and you aren't royal in the sense that royalty once was full of mystique ... thankless life in my opinion so if Charles and Camilla want to do it then let them...

The Queen has done a wonderful job and she is much admired around the world. Not sure how Charles will be considered when it's his turn...

I for one will never warm to her

I agree. Was regarded a bit loony with his talking to plants mentality but, thinking about it he was way ahead of his time and green issues are much more acceptable these days. Like a lot of famous people it's often the things you don't hear about and that they don't publicise themselves that are important.

I am not a royalist and would never curtsey to the queen or anyone. Still I feel that Prince Charles is not recognised as the specialist about organic farming which he undoubtedly is.
He works together with his second cousin(related though Prince Phillip's sister) who lives 15 miles away from me. We live in one of the most fertile areas of Germany and the most 'organic' corner of Europe. Prince Charles flew in this week without Camilla to attend a Bio-Bauer Conference . translated - Organic Farmers of cereals and livestock.

His speech was much appreciated and he is regarded as an expert. He tramped about the local fields and spoke to other farmers. Thank goodness there are wealthy people like him who are prepared to put through trials on their land what other farmers could not afford to do.

With their money , she HAS to look well groomed .

I think it take a lot of bottle , if one was face to face with the Queen , not to curtsey.

Hy ho !!!!

I thought Camilla was looking younger and more attractive on her recent visit to Paris. Needs a visit from the Fashion Police though.

merlot People tend to cite the danger of having someone disreputable like Blair as a reason for not supporting a republic. That would, I agree, be undesirable, but at least that person's term would be limited, whereas the royal family rules in perpetuity from generation to generation on no other grounds than an accident of birth.

There are various examples and suggestions as to how republics might be constituted, including:

Directly elected president - a head of state directly elected by the people (Ireland)

Indirectly elected president - where the president is chosen by parliament (Germany)

No president - a parliamentary system where the powers of the head of state are shared by the Prime Minister, parliament and the speaker of the House of Commons.

Executive president - the head of state is head of government also (USA)

No one in particular, Eloethan

#tonyblairfitsthebill

merlot Who else would you suggest?

people who simply fought their way to power and imposed their will upon the population.

Eloethan, And this just applies to the Royals??

j08 Not optional if you want a second invitation.

Perhaps as well j08 - (arthritis in knees)

Cherie Blair's doing....

It's optional these days, curtseying. (So I've read!)

They add to the rich tapestry of life we enjoy. I certainly wouldn't 'bow and curtsy' but I've come to appreciate that IMO they contribute more than they take. Not necessarily in quantifiable financial terms, more in an undefinable appreciation of being part of a country with a rich and colourful history.

I wonder where English literature would be without the plot lines they've provided

I think the world could become a colourless place. If we're not careful.

Eloethan, they are all descended from King Arthur. Definitely.

Is there a job description for 'king' ? If Charles applied would he get it?

Who should apply do you think?

Princess Anne dated Mr Parker Bowles and apparently they are still good friends, its all a bit incestuous innit!

Do people actually believe that the royal family has "blue blood", that they are in some way different from the rest of us and that they have special qualities that entitle them to be revered?

What are the origins of the royal family? Offa, King of Mercia, became the king by conquering other kingdoms. So, don't the members of the royal familiy originate from people who simply fought their way to power and imposed their will upon the population?

Furthermore, they have not set a particularly good example throughout the ages - brother plotting against brother and sister against sister, murderous plots against children, executions and treachery - more reminiscent of the mafia than of people who have the intellectual and moral qualities necessary to equip them to be held in high esteem by others.

Why are so many people prepared to bow and curtsy to somebody who is no more or less than an ordinary human being? If it is simply a matter of tradition, then perhaps we should review the relevance of a tradition that originates from times that were mindless and brutal.

"Everybody" may well be telling us how to live our lives and what to do with every aspect of them. However "Everybody" doesn't have access to the Prime Minister and the rest of government. "Everybody" doesn't have the right to scrutinise and then change some potential laws that might affect them or, more accurately, their property.

Incidentally, by what right does the Duke of Cornwall own great chunks of the county and of London?

Charles marriage with Diana was a farce, and so was his marriage with Camilla. Anne should be next on the throne.