Do we need the monarchy in this day and and age?

While we have children living in mouldy high rises with nowhere to play there is no way the tax payer should fund the monarchy in any way. Royalty and their hangers on don’t need all those massive houses. If they had any conscience at all the royal family would convert some to social housing.

I don't think their titles of King or Queen can just be removed, unless you want to follow what happeded to the Russian Royal family and the French royalty.
Chales has already said he will scale the paid roylaity sown and Im guessing as William take over it wil become more like the royal families in various other countries. I am pro royalist, I cant imagine having Boris as Head of state.... As for Trump or Putin.. be very afraid!

Think I must be in the minority - and be a bit of a royalist.Tend to agree with GILLYCATS - yes - they are born into incredible privilege/wealth but many work positively for the both the country and charities - all live their lives in goldfish bowls.The Queen is - how old ? 95 or 96 ? She even wanted to work through having Covid.And she,in fact, although born into privilege/wealth was not destined to become Queen,she dedicated her life to this after the abdication of her uncle and then death of her father.As other contributors have asked - what would we replace the monarchy with ? Would the Government not then be in sole charge ? And that become privileged/wealthy ? Not that it isn't anyway already.It's sad but we're not all born equal - just the way it is - and the way it has always been - since 1066.A short break when Charles I was executed didn't turn out well,and the monarchy was restored with his son Charles II,after Cromwell.Some might think it's not the best institution we have,but,it will continue via Charles/Camilla and then William/Catherine.Personally,I support them but I'm a bit of a 'history' geek.Did hear that the bearskin hats are being replaced with a synthetic type - long overdue - but pleased if this is the case.

Well of course we don't need it, in real terms, otherwise every country without a monarchy would be collapsing. All I wish is they'd make up their mind whether they have a role in government or not. If not, then stop pretending by having the Queen opening parliament and nominally controlling the armed forces. If they do indeed have a constitutional role then let's see them exercise it from time to time such as getting rid of dishonest Prime Ministers and refusing to sign off on unlawfully proroguing parliament.

Nope

Purplepixie

I want the monarchy to stay. What else would we be left with? A dumb president? They bring a lot of tourist to the UK and no one can fault our lovely Queen. I think William will make a really brilliant King and lets keep the monarchy.

And Charles?

Cause we're stuck with him whether we like it or not.

I'm just ignoring the "dumb president" bit.

sazzl can you support your allegations with proof ? And if it’s true that Camilla was involved with Charles when he married
then you will agree completely that Mrs Manakee, Mrs. Carling, Mrs,Hoare are entitled to call Diana a tart.

Obviously I’m a tart then. Thanks sazzi.

Sorry but Charlie and cammie set Diana up as a broodmare to produce an heir to the throne. She was 19 at the time. She really suffered because of that rotten family with mental health bulimia etc.
I and millions of others will never forgive those two.

sazzi Apart from your unnecessary Charles comments, I agree with everything else you’ve said.

I want the monarchy to stay. What else would we be left with? A dumb president? They bring a lot of tourist to the UK and no one can fault our lovely Queen. I think William will make a really brilliant King and lets keep the monarchy.

sazz1 is tart your view of all divorced women who marry again ?

No I don't want the Royal Family. Its a very outdated institution and the whole idea of bowing to another person is abhorrent. They don't have magical powers, they aren't gods, and they are just there by birth. Worse than some families and better than others. Just normal people nothing special about them. As for all the palaces full of empty rooms - they should be open to the public and fees collected used to build social housing for our huge homeless population.
We should have an elected president and prime minister to govern our country. Someone elected by the people.
House of Lords should go the same way. Nobody needs or wants them either
You could keep the parades for the tourists.
The though of Charlie and the Queen of Tarts on the throne is disgusting.

? Jane.

Oh yes. We have over the centuries evolved an irrational system that works. Same as CofE. By the separation of powers and rule of law we avoid a lot of trouble.

volver

Crikey.

With all the brain power and powers of deduction being shown on here today Liz Truss must be worried for her job.

I hope people aren't talking about me behind my back.

they are, there is a whole thread

Yes … ?

Peasblossom

Oh now I know who volver is.

Am I allowed to say that ??

I doubt it.

I have my suspicions, too...

Freya5

Funny no one on here suggesting what would replace the Monarchy, a constitutional one. Remember Ollie Cromwell, didn’t end well. Unless you go the French /Russian way and have state sponsored murder, be careful what you wish for.

Maybe we could opt for a Putin type leader, or Donald Trump or worst of all President Blair!

Crikey.

With all the brain power and powers of deduction being shown on here today Liz Truss must be worried for her job.

I hope people aren't talking about me behind my back.

Oh now I know who volver is.

Am I allowed to say that ??

Maybe it was just during the war that they changed to nylon hats.

No - in a democracy the very existence of an unelected ‘Queen’ or ‘King’ to reign over is an affront. This lot rake the biscuit - a huge family of independent billionaires who are not accountable in any way - ‘never complain never explain’ live in extraordinary luxury with taxpayers support. Despite our financial support they feel entitled to keep their financial affairs secret - seen Prince Philips will anybody?
A whole family living their lives with no experience of what real work or balancing your budget means - all free from worry about affording a home, healthcare, children's education or household chores, no worry about unemployment or future prospects. We have Charles still serving an apprenticeship for an unnecessary job at age 73 and his son serving the same apprenticeship at 39! Seriously - we are taken for fools and by sheer luck it’s not Andrew next in line.
A more disfunctional family would be hard to find, yet we elevate them above all others and they expect our deference.
As for the model of the modern woman they portray - laughable. Kate has carved a little niche for herself as a clothes horse and ideal mum (despite having a battery of staff - nannies, servants, cooks, shoppers, dressers and chauffeurs - and no job to get in the way.
The tourists will come regardless of their existence as they do to France, USA and other republics.

Yes, I believe we do. The Monarchy has given us stability over the decades, [especially recent ones] & i think anything else would be a step in wrong direction. If people think the Monarchy is expensive, they are not going to be as expensive as setting up the 'revolving' door of a Democracy, with a President. Take a look around the world at all of the failed 'Democracies' that have been put in place. Many of them cost a 'hidden' fortune in lost lives. livelihood's, & the cost to people generally, in constant 'elections', disruption, and sadly at times, bloodshed. a lot of them if you are lucky , just cost a fortune, & for the lucky few, those in charge, a very nice life. Then take a look at the 'successful' democracies, & think about how you would like to live under one? some you might think, ok, not to bad, but the rest? I think maybe not.

I can't justify the Monarchy in one way, but I jolly well can in another.
What is the alternative? A president voted for by the people? Would you really want to end up with a figurehead like megalomaniac Trump or aging Biden, and now, of course Putin, who probably wasn't even voted for?

It's no use saying that British people have more sense - clever propaganda can lead even British people astray. Once you have demolished the monarch and voted in a President then you will never be able to trust media at all.

With a Monarch who has no power to make decisions that affect us all,and who is apolitical, at least we have a Parliament that debates and votes and can be changed every 4 years. .
Of course it's not ideal in many ways, but infinitely preferable to a President with the most money behind him/her to persuade voters to choose them.