The family firm.

As far as I recall Zara Phillips did not do an open carriage ride around town after her wedding? Of course the Queen should attend whatever weddings she wishes, or not as in the case of Charles and Camilla.

The queen attended the church blessing of Charles and Camilla, there were no guests at the registry wedding.

You don't need a royal family to being in tourists.
Versailles in France has higher numbers than UK and their royal family passed some time ago!
I dislike the justifications of their luxurious lifestyle proposing that it is beneficial to all. It really isn't.
I understand that some people have a lot of affection for the royals but we don't need them. They are part of the past.
Things change.
After Queenie we should draw a line and stop giving to those who already have so much!

France has much warmer weather & more to see.
You cannot make a comparison without a properly carried out survey.
We may not need them in particular to bring in tourists, but it is a fact that they do.

If we have a president who would you choose pinkquartz ?

woulen't we have to pick from a list of candidates like other countries do...Ireland has had some great presidents and some not so good as have most other countries.The beauty of it is yu can vote them back out.You're not stuck with them ,their children and their childrens children forever.Nor do you have to pay to keep those children etc and provide security for a huge family...and multiple homes.Even a blind man can see that a President isn't always like Trump and some /most are good for their countries

Every extended family has multiple homes, do you Paddyanne share the same house with your children , grandchildren, ?

An Independent analysis by The Independent concludes that:- whether The Royal Family is worth it or not is probably less a financial question than a political, moral & aesthetic one.
So if you ignore the cost for a moment, would there still be a call to ‘ let them go’

Good point Annie.

I have four siblings, = 5 homes

We have 11 children = 11 homes

We have 15 grandchildren = 11 have their own homes

27 homes in total

Anniebach

I don't know about a president. I think we could have the Royal figure head for a time, without them being so lavishly looked after.
I will think about the president idea. I know there has to be a figurehead but I am so sick of all the political people we have at this present time.
Just the fact that a person wants the power should disqualify them.
I know there is a famous saying about this but my poor memory isn't on it today!

I would like to make up a list of qualities required for the President.
Should be a grandparent, lots of life experience gained that way.
Should have a kind heart (but how can we judge this?)
Should be happy to NOT earn a ton of money.

Any more suggestions?

pinkquartz

Quite a few GN’ers fit that description- there will be an ugly rush for the role of president!

pinkquartz yes we need a figurehead and the choice is a monarch or a president. For me -

Anyone who puts their name forward would really,really want
the job, same as politicians want to be leader .

The royals don’t choose , they accept it comes with birth, it is well recorded the Queen father was distraught when his brother abdicated and he was to be king.

The queen is head of the commonwealth and the leaders have elected Charles to succeed her, if we had a president would they be elected ?

I disagreed with Andrew’s daughter having that carriage ride after her wedding but if she were my granddaughter I wouldn’t say yes to a grandson but no to a granddaughter.

A president would need an official residence too, if they have a family they would need protection from gun/bomb happy
thugs.

The heir to the throne accepts his / her role, a president would want the role.

Ireland has had some great presidents

I can only recall the name of one offhand.

Ask someone in a remote area of the world about the Queen and they will not only know who she is but love her.

I prefer a head of state who is apolitical. Even those who are supposed to be above politics in other countries seem to become involved.

I have always loved this Douglas Adams quote:

“Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.”

Beckett Is the answer 42?

The old “they bring in tourists” nonsense. How many tourists see the royal family? They may gawp at the historic buildings and do lots of shopping, but tourists do that in Paris, Rome and just about anywhere historic. They don’t come to SEE the royals. A rubber stamp could do her Maj’s political role ( none), any old celeb could open a hospital.

callistemon I’m currently in a remote country which was a former British colony. No one has told me they love the Queen or mentioned her. When we tell any locals we are from the U.K. all they want to talk about is Manchester United or Liverpool FC.

When I was in America earlier this year, several people asked me about/mentioned the queen, not the royal family, but specifically the queen. I was told by one man to take his greetings back to her, he seemed to genuinely think I might see her sometime soon , but people also mentioned Brexit, particularly last year when we were on a cruise and a lot of Americans were also on the cruise.
It remains a fact that a lot of Americans in particular, do seem to like our monarchy very much, perhaps when you look at their present president it’s not surprising, except that many people also mentioned their approval of President Trump (we were in the deep south.)

I'd bet the good people of Ireland dont pay millions for the GC of their president or provide the president with homes all over the countries like is done here .You know that but you still try to insist a president would eb as expensive...lot of nonsense ,I dont believe even Trump is allowed to do that and he's the worst president anywhere in living memory .No doubt you'll tell me difernt! Get off your knees people you are not peasants and the royal family are not your betters .

maddyone - I have had the same experience!

I have been fortunate to have travelled extensively and once people realise I am British they are full of questions about the UK and assume I must live in London and be on speaking terms with the Queen, or least see her on a regular basis!

I recall being in a local market in Fiji and found myself surrounded by locals asking questions about UK and the RF - many expressed a wish to visit London in order to "meet" the Queen!

paddyanne Ireland is a small country, the U.K. ? 4 countries

Another great post from paddyann. ?

Hi Anniebach at the risk of sounding dim what point are you making about Ireland being a small country?

Yes Beckett, once people realised we were British, they became incredibly friendly, and even amazed we were there. Some even said that we were the first British people they had met. We were somewhat off the usual British tourist route, as we toured independently the civil war/history of slavery areas, incredulity interesting, but many areas/historical events were very sad. The fact remains that the queen is very popular in those areas.