Keeping Royal Secrets

We all have secrets that no-one else knows about, families all keep secrets so why shouldn't the Royal family. When I die my will is not going to be made public so why should Prince Philip's.

I would say to anyone....how would you like all your dirty laundry hanging out in public? The answer would be NO. We are all entitled to privacy. The royal family live so much of their life in the public gaze I think they are entitled to some privacy occasionally.

We would vote for a president as we vote for prime minister ,
Boris !

Mmmm - but without the RF there would be a huge Head of State gap, - we might end up with a Dictator who we had to salute !

sazz1

I don't agree with having a Royal family or a king or queen. I see them as a huge waste of public money and a very outdated form of leadership. They are rich enough to be able to live a very comfortable life on what they already have. Money spent on them could do so much good eg NHS, poor families, social housing etc etc. They are just normal people without any 'magical powers' so why people bow and curtsey to them I can't understand. Respect as you would anybody but that's it.

I agree

I don't agree with having a Royal family or a king or queen. I see them as a huge waste of public money and a very outdated form of leadership. They are rich enough to be able to live a very comfortable life on what they already have. Money spent on them could do so much good eg NHS, poor families, social housing etc etc. They are just normal people without any 'magical powers' so why people bow and curtsey to them I can't understand. Respect as you would anybody but that's it.

Ahh but go back far enough and your ancestors would likely have been connected in some way.
The past was a different place. Cant hold people now answerable for perceived crimes of the past.

Totally agree with a previous poster who said we should ALL be entitled to the same levels of privacy. Would also add what the heck did the royals do to help during the Covid pandemic to unify the nations or anything else that was of use?

Coco51

Alegrias1

We are often told on here that despite the financial or democratic problems with the system, having a Royal Family provides continuity and something to fall back in in times of crisis, such as pandemics. So what do we think of this quote from the Sunday Herald this morning, regarding whether certain Royal papers should be released. In this case it should be noted that the papers already belong to belong to the tax payer but we’re not allowed to see the content.

Protecting the dignity of the Queen and working members of the royal family by protecting their privacy in truly private matters preserves their ability to discharge their duties in their fundamental and central constitutional role, not least of unifying the nations (as was seen during the depths of the current pandemic). Roger Smethurst, head of knowledge and information at the Cabinet Office.

On other words, if we know what they were really like in private, we’d never be taken in by their idealised images. They need to keep some things secret because they don’t fit with the image they want to portray.

Thoughts?

Wills are normally available as public records, if you are desperate to see the DoE’s. Since you feel the Royals should open their private business, you presumably would not mind if your own details were a matter of public scrutiny. Do tell.

I have no interest whatsoever in the DoE's will, which you would know if you had read the thread. But even if I did I wouldn't be able to see it because unlike anybody else in society, the RF think their wills need to be private for 90 years.

My will? Everything left to DH and the cats' home. Plus, my deceased 20th Century ancestors have never been responsible for death and suffering of millions. Allegedly.

I don't agree with having a Royal family or a king or queen. I see them as a huge waste of public money and a very outdated form of leadership. They are rich enough to be able to live a very comfortable life on what ythey already have. Money spent on them could do so much good eg NHS, poor families, social housing etc etc. They are just normal people without any 'magical powers' so why people bow and curtsey to them I can't understand. Respect as you would anybody but that's it.

Alegrias1

We are often told on here that despite the financial or democratic problems with the system, having a Royal Family provides continuity and something to fall back in in times of crisis, such as pandemics. So what do we think of this quote from the Sunday Herald this morning, regarding whether certain Royal papers should be released. In this case it should be noted that the papers already belong to belong to the tax payer but we’re not allowed to see the content.

Protecting the dignity of the Queen and working members of the royal family by protecting their privacy in truly private matters preserves their ability to discharge their duties in their fundamental and central constitutional role, not least of unifying the nations (as was seen during the depths of the current pandemic). Roger Smethurst, head of knowledge and information at the Cabinet Office.

On other words, if we know what they were really like in private, we’d never be taken in by their idealised images. They need to keep some things secret because they don’t fit with the image they want to portray.

Thoughts?

Wills are normally available as public records, if you are desperate to see the DoE’s. Since you feel the Royals should open their private business, you presumably would not mind if your own details were a matter of public scrutiny. Do tell.

Putin is probably the best and most effective leader around. If you are Russian at least.

I haven't got time to concern myself with the RF's secrets.
But my husband and I (lol) love the Queen to bits.

Information about all of us is available. Very few people will be interested in it. If information is available about the Royal Family very many people will seek it out and it will be endlessly discussed and commented upon. This is why it should remain private.

Yes the Russians now have Putin.

The Queen is an alternative to a president.

What is ignored is the fact that some can’t separate the working
royals from the extended family.

There are 7 working royals and the Queen and they do much for charities which affect us all. They carry out official visits as do presidents and do so with dignity .

When Diana dropped the charities she supported they suffered
loss of funds.

Just get rid of the lot of them and divvy up the spoils amongst the people. They are an anachronism. The French and the Russians realised this years ago.

Well, the Queen is apparently the most famous person in the world.
history.howstuffworks.com/historical-figures/most-famous-person.htm

Lucca

Alright then if not “the purpose” then what is that people like about having a royal family? ( NOT as an alternative to a President!)

Now, like is easier to explain Lucca because that comes down to personal taste. I like the way the RF showcases all that is or was British. In terms of tradition, pageantry, style, even fashion, jewels, and yes, its ridiculousness and complications thrown in.

I don’t know whether the royal family bring in tourism or not, but certainly I’ve been a very interested tourist in many countries that do not have a royal family. This leads me to conclude that probably most tourists to the UK don’t come here because of the royal family. I find the culture of other countries the most interesting, and that’s got nothing to do with having a royal family.

Lucca

Anniebach

Yes, thinking of elected party leaders, some who became prime
ministers, an elected president ? No

I’m not talking about having a President as such. I’m just asking what people see as the purpose of the royal family ?

This may well be dismissed by others, but our current monarch has been a dignified and dutiful Head of State and is ostensibly apolitical. She is respected by many people, not only in the UK but abroad. I admit to being less keen on her successors.

If anyone can suggest a way of the UK producing a Head of State who embodies those qualities I think I'd be happy to run with it.

One purpose usually put forward is that they bring in tourism. I will have a good think and see if I can come up with something of my own.

Alright then if not “the purpose” then what is that people like about having a royal family? ( NOT as an alternative to a President!)

Anniebach

Yes, thinking of elected party leaders, some who became prime
ministers, an elected president ? No

I’m not talking about having a President as such. I’m just asking what people see as the purpose of the royal family ?

I don't have strong feelings about the RF either way but considering what democracy achieved with the PM maybe it isn't the worst.