Royal family or a president?

It depends on why they got rid of them - if they were benign then perhaps they wish they still had them, especially if they have a President who is profligate.

If they were not benign then perhaps they are thankful that they did.

Not a lot.

Some of them have

If they really envied ours they’d bring back their own.

Most countries did get rid of theirs Gerispringer and now envy us for keeping ours.
Many if those lining the streets for the RW were from other countries.

Most presidents? Really? All of them? Or just most politicians? Plenty of corrupt monarchs which is why most countries got rid of theirs. Just because our queen is is doing an ok job and we all love gawping at a wedding doesn’t mean the hereditary principle can be defended.

Monarchy. Just look at the examples of Presidents around the world. Most of them are corrupt and far, far wealthier than our royal family, and have often got their wealth by robbing their countries resources, and the aid sent by countries such as ours.
Our royals have no real power and are just figureheads, but popular figureheads, admired by even the mighty USA!
I like having them, I like the history and traditions.
And they work hard at very boring jobs. The Queen, at her great age has only this year scaled back on her relentless round of public engagements. How many of us would enjoy over 300 visits a year, however plush the lifestyle?

I think they are best value for money.

I do sometimes think that the true monarch is alive and well and living in Australia - the last Plantagenet.

I see the House of Windsors as usurpers - there are many great families in Britain who have a greater claim to be Royal. Having said that, I'm a Republican, the anomaly being that as a child of the Fifties I was immersed in Royal Family history - it could easily be my Mastermind subject.
I have a great respect for the Queen who has devoted her life to service, but she and her family are very well rewarded.
It is an anachronism in the 21st century to have a group of people treated by many as demi-gods. It makes me sad to think of those who camp out at great occasions and go weak at the knees if a Royal deigns to speak to them - they probably have much more moral and blameworthy lives than members of the Royal Family. I have met and spoken to several 'Royals' in the course of my work and other interests, but I have never curtseyed to any of them - after all they do have the same bodily functions as us!

However as someone has said previously, once the Queen has gone the Monarchy will be on shifting sands with each future generation weakening it.
I would be quite happy to see an elected Head of State and I believe the pomp and ceremony would still continue as a tourist attraction and money-maker.

get rid of Andrew & his two DD
We have, we don't support them, if HM wants to help out of her own pocket then that is fine.

I hope that's what you meant, anyway, Legs55!

Yes, anyone who imagines that social housing would ever be built on Royal Parks is living under an illusion - it would be mansions for rich foreigners - and Londoners would have nowhere green and lovely to visit within easy reach.

A while ago on this thread add somebody mentioned Sue Townsend’s book about the Queen living in a council house. I don’t know if anyone mentioned the title. It’s The Queen and I, and it’s about what would happen if we elected a republican government. Very funny, and worth reading whether you favour the monarchy or a republic..

paddyann I don't know where you get your statistics from but they can be manipulated interpreted in any way you want. As my DF used to say "there are lies, damn lies & statistics".

I believe in a "slimmed down" royalty, get rid of Andrew & his two DD. I respect Anne for not allowing her DC titles, they have had to make their own way in life especially Zara, yes money & connections help but sheer hard work & determination got her to the Olympics (& a medal).

I have always been a Royalist, there is a lot more "behind the scenes" than we normally see. The Countryfile programme was a real eye-opener for lots of people. Without the Royal Parks London would be a poorer place, just imagine if those weren't protected, luxury properties built on them? Certainly no affordable housing there, I think we would all prefer the green open spaces.

We don’t exist to them
I think Prince Charles has heard of you - and Harry - and Camilla.
Perhaps they should have popped by chez vous for a cuppa
(I'll have a word)

I'm not a royalist but couldn't imagine a president. I'd us rather opt for a cut price monarchy similar to the Scandinavians.

Hopefully the younger generations will see sense and get rid !

There is no way on this earth they would buy a home in the NE Jalima

We don’t exist to them . I can just imagine her maj. and co. getting an Asda delivery to their Northern palace .

It’s my fault it’s raining, planted grass seed two weeks ago and hoped for a bit of rain. So be careful what you wish for?

and Mugabe Barmeyoldbat

It's half-term - what should we expect but rain!

Let’s just keep the RF but scaled right down. A President would still have hanerons and have a great deal of money spent on them. Also seen in other countries Presidents who are corrupt and manage to stay as a president for a life time. Just thinking of China.

Jalima ?

they're not coming for the weather either

I don’t buy assertion the RF are good for tourism - tourists come to the U.K. for the historic buildings, art galleries, shopping and go to places like Bath, Oxford, Cambridge and Stratford. They don’t come here in droves to catch a glimpse of her ma since most of them won’t. A few came here for the wedding- there’s not going to be another one of those huge occasions till HM pops her clogs and we have Charles coronation - then after that we’ll have to wait till George’s wedding I guess. So we don’t rely on royal events to drum up tourists - we’d still have loads of them without a RF as do France, Italy, USA etc

The profits will go into the Crown Estates, of which the Royal Family get 15% of the profits instead of from the Civil List.
That money goes towards the running of the business of the Head of State.
HM is not exactly pocketing the money from the seabed.

It's how you tell 'em!

It surprises me that in a country supposedly ingrained with democratic values that the ancient tradition of inherited status still pervades. The Royals obviously have an efficient and well oiled PR Team ensuring that it remains so.
Bread and Circuses?