Doesn't she look nice [smile]

Probably doesn't visit Wales that often either. And how often does the Queen visit Lancaster of which she is the Duke?

If you mean Kate and William absent,They live in Wales! They rent a farmhouse. William works there. On Anglesey.

No jO5, I was answering annodomini and referring to the Prince of Wales.

Well, I'm sure he visits his married kids, just the rest of us do.

I guess some people just don't have a feel for history.

Shame really.

j05 I can't see Camilla, de facto Princess of Wales, enjoying that bracing Anglesey air .

It's nice in summer! (Or were we just lucky!)

j05 I'm not sure of your 'feel for history' comment. Personally I am very interested in history and love old places - it doesn't make me a Royalist though

No. But if we were to knock the royal family on the head discontinue with a royal family, we would put an end to an awfully large part of history.

And if you read about history, with all mention of royalty omitted, it would be a pretty boring story.

Well yes Jo I agree, they are a part of history. I'm not sure that's a valid reason for us to keep them. I do think they add to the general colour of life but we don't actually need them. If they are cost neutral then that's fine, I do object though, to paying from my taxes to support them.

JO5, even if the royals ceased to be royal, they'd still be there in our history - no-one can eradicate that.
I agree, Sel, we don't need them and the doings of the royals constantly being rubbed into us in the media make me cringe when the poorest in society will lose their homes as a result of the benefit cap; so-called benefit 'reforms' will compel those who hitherto have depended on disability benefits to go through the mill of re-applying for the new PIP and maybe have to appeal an unjust outcome of assessment. What use have these people for a royal family?

If we got rid of the royal family it wouldn't make the poorest in society any better off, though, would it?

Wouldn't do much for future history though would it?

I agree Ana. Would take a bit of pleasure out of peole's lives too.

I bet if it was put to the vote, people would keep them.

anno I think Ana's point is valid - getting rid of them wouldn't make the poor better off. I sometimes think they are useful to entertain and thereby keep peoples' minds off more important issues. I just groaned when I saw people screaming on William & Kate's walkabout the other day. They are perfectly nice people but all part of the celebrity culture now.

As regards future history Jo I don't think the people of France worry..or Spain..etc. Who's on the throne, or whether there is a throne isn't really an important part of future history now. It would be interesting, a vote. At the end of the day they only survive because we let them; if a potential Government felt they would be elected on a 'get rid of the Royals' ticket then they'd go. I suspect most people are fairly indifferent as long as they behave and don't cost too much.

Only trouble is , think of the alternative .

Cam and Sam

Oh and Teflon and witch queen Cherie

Should have popped a Christmas smile in there !!!!!

Imagine having had President Thatcher.
I wasn't arguing for the abolition of the monarchy - not immediately anyway. I feel that the flashy lifestyle of so-called celebrities and footballers (and wags) is also an affront to people who are struggling.

Jesus H. Christ on a Lambretta – how many times have we had this discussion?

Quite. We're nothing if not predictable on Gransnet.

Fucking Norah.

Can't open your mouth round here.

actually

absent somewhat abrupt comment. I, for one, haven't seen this discussion before as I have only been a member of gransnet for a few weeks. One would imagine there will be multiple duplications of subjects discussed the older gransnet becomes. Hopefully you'll manage to restrain yourself if you notice another or you might pop!

Wow, absent that's a bit harsh isn't it? Do you and your friends only ever discuss something once and never refer to it again? I'm sure if you had the time or inclination to look through all the threads you would find various subjects repeated time and time again. Just seems a bit unfair to pick this one to sound off about.

It was the knee-jerk Cam and Sam, Tony and Cherie, President Thatcher thing that we have heard on more than one occasion in the past. That a republic doesn't have to have a president with political power has also been voiced on many occasions.

Of course lots of topics come up time and again on Gransnet, usually with lots of intelligent and interesting input. I didn't sound off – I just typed an expletive and asked how many times have we had this meaningless discussion?