Royal family or a president?

Jamila1108 ...the President of the Republic of Ireland is Michael D Higgins. His salary and expenses in 2017 were estimated to total €3.9million for 2017.

One of his predecessors is Mary Robinson who also served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from ‘97 to 2002. She was followed as President in Ireland by Mary McAleese and Michael Diggins was elected after Mrs McAleese.

Thanks Breda

I have heard of Mary Robinson.

Ive lived in London for years and I’ve seen the Queen about four times, Charles a few more times. I doubt if many tourists get a glimpse. The “empty palace” of Versailles gets far more tourists than any of the Queens’s places , which are nowhere near as elaborate or ornate. The French do loads of state parades, military stuff- you should have seen the show they put on for Trump ( hopefully we won’t do the same). This is no U.K. or monarchy bashing - just saying we shouldn’t kid ourselves that “ nowhere else” can manage a show or has any tourists.

I don't think HM is keen on meeting Trump - unlike Macron.

North Korea can put on military parades too, I didn't say it was exclusive to the UK.
However, a horse that tried to get off the road like the one in the RW procession would be on someone's plate by now in that country.

Russia has always held impressive military parades, all those tanks

The ceremony at the opening of the olympics in Beijing was quite impressive too.

It’s the hope that they MIGHT get a glimpse that excites the tourists. Of course, most of them don’t, but it’s a possibility..

A military parade isn’t pageantry, is it? Tanks certainly aren’t. I was thinking more golden coaches, lots of gorgeous horses, people in beautiful clothes. The Coronation was a very good example, but of course they don't happen very often.

I witnessed a big parade in Russia. It was the anniversary of a revolution, I think. It was just lots and lots of soldiers etc marching along the Nevsky Prospekt in St Petersburg. Not a coach or horse in sight, not at all picturesque..

I think you’ll find the household cavalry and trooping of the colour are military. Maybe with horses not tanks but still they’re soldiers.

Monarchy.

I know they’re soldiers, but there are more elements in pageantry.

paddyann our viewing habits have changed, it was a lovely sunny day, how many enjoyed the good weather recorded and used catch up I wonder to look at it later, those figures not captured? Regardless of whether monarchist or republican, the mixed race bride, campaigner since she was 11 and the obvious love between her and Harry...surely we all should rejoice in a modern love story which promises so much and will shine light on many neglected social issues?

how many enjoyed the good weather recorded and used catch up I wonder to look at it later, those figures not captured
Me for one peaches - and I managed to avoid most of the Football.

peaches, what are the many neglected social issues you think this couple will shine a light on?

Kittylester

I'm still seething at your attitude maryeliza, what on earth makes you think you know more than any other poster?

Maybe she has researched and knows what she's talking about. I'm not so much pro republic as antimonarchy. I don't need to reiterate why. Maryeliza has put it all very well.

Personally I would never bow or curtsy to anyone, or stand for the anthem. I feel that royalty all have far too much and there are far too many hangers on. Given the many areas in this country that seriously need addressing with financial assistance, if we didn’t pay Royals for a year, they would never notice as they already have too much. I have no respect for Charles and Camilla. I did watch the wedding and am happy for them, sad that Diana was not around to see it ... but cannot understand why people camp out ... each to their own.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. That just about sums it up for me.

And Paddyann too. It's good to know there are people who can see sense. Sometimes we are browbeaten by monarchists who think their view is more valid than ours.
No one I repeat NO ONE should live this privileged life . Don't tell me about all the work they do. It's miniscule and they are well rewarded. They don't know anything about normal stresses of life, cooking cleaning paying bills (stress of not being able to pay bills) sleepless nights with children.....I could go on. If it was so difficult they wouldn't do it, duty or not. It would be tolerable if we only paid for the queen and her children, and one home! but she can actually give her children a mansion in the grounds of one palace!! and decamp to a castle for Christmas. It's all totally obscene. And the queen is head of the CofE. They don't know what Christianity is about..or choose to ignore.
I honestly don't understand how some people can be so blind. and their weddings are no different to anybody elses.

I remember reading a book by Sue Townsend about the royal family having to live on a council estate. It was very funny. Wish I could remember the title. By the way I love the royal family, especially William and Harry.

I’m a bit in both camps . I have nothing against a small monarchy of sorts ( a figurehead) but find our lot an absolute disgrace . The obscene show of wealth such as we have seen recently, that they can’t resist to dangle like a carrot in the eyes if those who have very little . The hypocrisy of the queen telling us to plant trees to save the planet , when many of her “subjects “ don’t have a pot to p*ss in. Perhaps cutting her helicopter rides and those of her children down, together with their many long haul holidays might go a little way to help too ?
.....and stop telling us that Kate & William are “normal” parents when in fact they are about as far from normal as the man in the moon . Living fairytale lives with untold wealth, servants etc. Is not normal !
I know here on GN you are not allowed to criticise the royals, but my cage is rattled and the lock has come undone .

OldMeg, I often have the same thoughts about Richmond Park, which is not far from us. If not a Royal Park, I'm sure it would long have been covered with housing by now, instead of such a lovely, free, green-space facility - not to mention a wildlife reserve - for so many people in the area. Even the car parks are still free, though for how much longer I wouldn't care to predict.

Around here I very much doubt that the housing would be cheap or 'affordable', either.

I believe to have been fortunate to lived during the reign of QE11. No not the ship as I did have a cruise on that grand old lady. What Charles will achieve when the time comes I don't want to think about. So for now I am a staunch monarchist.

Definitely a Republic with a President. I haven't wanted a Royal family since I saw what Charles did to Diana - used her for breeding imo. They are just a huge drain on our resources and no better or worse than anyone else. Sorry but that's the way I feel.

Oh, the thought of having more elections, and the media banging on for weeks. It doesn't bear thinking about.

I would rather they banged on about the wedding and the frocks, even though I got rather fed up with that until the day itself which I really enjoyed.

Admire our Queen, and I like the family, nice to know they are human have there faults like the rest of us, divorce, etc.
Would rather the royal family then a president, such as May or Cameron who left us in the s..t

I'm definitely a Royalist.