Queens Speech

It is possible to have a serious discussion about the way this country is governed and whether a person still has the capabilities to carry out a role in that governance. That does not make anybody hard hearted or treasonous. Its what adults would do, if they weren't overawed by medieval concepts of god-anointed rulers.

The Monarchy are not rulers as such with powers, let alone absolute power as in some countries.

Although part the role of the Monarch, as Constitutional Head, is to appoint the Prime Minister and Ministers, they are not chosen by the Monarch. It is nominal as is Royal Assent.

I think I prefer a system with a benign and continuous monarchy than frequent elections and the sometimes unseemly scrambles of electioneering by those who would be President.

It would be better if abdication was not looked on as failure to fulfil duties, however, and more as a retirement.

However if the Monarch and heirs wished to abdicate in total and we did opt for a republic I would think they would be relieved.
Who on earth would want the job? Especially with some of the vitriol it attracts from some quarters.

If the Queen can carry on being Queen without being seen to do much anymore what is the actual point of having a monarch. It seems to me that all this not being physically present is just showing what little needs to be done by the RF. If you add in to this the overseas tours that have not gone down well , then I think you are looking at a dwindling RF.

William's face...

" So this is my life now...^

I feel like we're living in a Harry Potter book.

Oh if only. One wave of a wand and people would disappear!

HannahLoisLuke

Petera

Elrel

Those who want a republic may get President Johnson

Those who want a monarchy will get a King Charles

No problem with that.

Fine for you then. What about the point that for 22 years we were one polo accident away from a future King Andrew?

I like the Monarchy in as much as I don't like the idea of a President and I think the Pageantry they provide is attractive to visitors who don't have a monarchy. However, I can't help thinking that we do need to rethink. With all the best will in the world, most people of 96 need to slow down. Their bodies and brains aren't usually good for full-time work and the role needs a full time input. Maybe we need a "retirement" age or a mechanism in place that when you can't fulfil your most important responsibilities, you automatically have to hand over the role to your heir, even if you retain the title.
It is quite normal for the older generations to want to keep the side up regardless of ability and I don't think they are necessarily capable of making a rational decision so we have to have some safeguards. Obviously that is a difficult thing to call especially in the case of the Head of State!

Kamiso

Grany

SurvivingJust

“While UK taxpayers contribute to the Crown via the Sovereign Grant, the Royal Household also brings in plenty of cash to help boost Britain's economy - and the figure amounts tosome billions of pounds. “

“How much revenue does the monarchy generate?

The intangible value, understood as the present value of the benefits that the Monarchy is expected to bring the UK economy over the years, constitutes the remaining £42 billion. Brand Finance estimates that in 2017 the Monarchy generated a gross uplift of £1.766 billion to the UK economy.”

Above taken from internet.

Furthermore, the monarchy is an intrinsic part of our heritage and history. Woven for centuries into the fabric of our country, with all its unrivalled pomp and ceremony admired (and envied) around the world. What would be the point of getting rid of such a valuable asset? What would we gain?
These are genuine questions.

Brand Finace got this very wrong.

Here is what Monarchy costs £345 million

m.youtube.com/watch?v=vT4vA0U499Y&t=94s

This what you choose to believe, not the truth.

You can’t wait to for us to have our own President.

Trump? Biden? Putin? Macron?

None to be compared with our, mostly dedicated, RF.

Zelenskyy? Mandela? Roosevelt?

Lest just stop this, shall we?

Nobody, nobody at all is suggesting that we throw anybody in a scrapheap because they are old. Nasty comments about other GNers and telling them they are some "type of people" just sounds hysterical, sorry, but it does.

It is possible to have a serious discussion about the way this country is governed and whether a person still has the capabilities to carry out a role in that governance. That does not make anybody hard hearted or treasonous. Its what adults would do, if they weren't overawed by medieval concepts of god-anointed rulers.

Brooke? = no one

Actually Queen Victoria was unpopular during the final years of her reign as she dressed in black and became a recluse. The heir to the throne wasn’t that popular either. actually Brooke is talking about chucking HM onto the scrap heap. She’ll be well looked after by a retinue of servants. Just that if she is unable to do the job, someone else should take over. I expect some of you believe her to be an immortal deity, but she isn’t

Grany

SurvivingJust

“While UK taxpayers contribute to the Crown via the Sovereign Grant, the Royal Household also brings in plenty of cash to help boost Britain's economy - and the figure amounts tosome billions of pounds. “

“How much revenue does the monarchy generate?

The intangible value, understood as the present value of the benefits that the Monarchy is expected to bring the UK economy over the years, constitutes the remaining £42 billion. Brand Finance estimates that in 2017 the Monarchy generated a gross uplift of £1.766 billion to the UK economy.”

Above taken from internet.

Furthermore, the monarchy is an intrinsic part of our heritage and history. Woven for centuries into the fabric of our country, with all its unrivalled pomp and ceremony admired (and envied) around the world. What would be the point of getting rid of such a valuable asset? What would we gain?
These are genuine questions.

Brand Finace got this very wrong.

Here is what Monarchy costs £345 million

m.youtube.com/watch?v=vT4vA0U499Y&t=94s

This what you choose to believe, not the truth.

You can’t wait to for us to have our own President.

Trump? Biden? Putin? Macron?

None to be compared with our, mostly dedicated, RF.

MawtheMerrier

I’m wondering about something more sinister- bone cancer in her spine, or some sort of disc/spinal problem ? Acute osteoporosis?
I’m sad some seem to be losing sympathy, I am still convinced that she would struggle on if she possibly could.

I agree.
I have a lot of sympathy for her.
All these problems don't come alone.
She could well have incontinence problems as well as mobility issues and is terrified of having a mishap with the world's eyes upon her.
She's an old lady and has done a brilliant job.
People should focus on all the things she has done well as opposed to the very few recent things she hasn't. and maybe cut her some slack.

I hope my family don’t decide to dump me when I am (even) older and possibly frail.

Says a lot about the type of people who even think this is acceptable.

Let’s just throw older people on the scrap heap! Disgusting but not surprising given the mindset of some GNetters.

Elrel
Or ? if ones preference a king ?will get their wish for the next two or three centuries staring with Charles /William ?/George? and who knows any male children born to them.Can any one deny the previous queens Elizabeth 1st then Victoria have not been popular/monarchs?
Nice to have Charlotte on the throne?

SurvivingJust

“While UK taxpayers contribute to the Crown via the Sovereign Grant, the Royal Household also brings in plenty of cash to help boost Britain's economy - and the figure amounts tosome billions of pounds. “

“How much revenue does the monarchy generate?

The intangible value, understood as the present value of the benefits that the Monarchy is expected to bring the UK economy over the years, constitutes the remaining £42 billion. Brand Finance estimates that in 2017 the Monarchy generated a gross uplift of £1.766 billion to the UK economy.”

Above taken from internet.

Furthermore, the monarchy is an intrinsic part of our heritage and history. Woven for centuries into the fabric of our country, with all its unrivalled pomp and ceremony admired (and envied) around the world. What would be the point of getting rid of such a valuable asset? What would we gain?
These are genuine questions.

Brand Finace got this very wrong.

Here is what Monarchy costs £345 million

m.youtube.com/watch?v=vT4vA0U499Y&t=94s

I’m with grany. I would get rid of royalty as their presence perpetuates the divisons in our society. Them and us! The days of doffing of caps are well gone. Quite frankly who cares is she gives a speech or not? Is it going to change the world?!I think not. She seems to be super glued to that throne.

She can indeed request it.

Surely what is being said is the thing of value, not arguing about who should be the one to say it?

GSM. We shall have to agree to disagree. The Regency Act 1937 clearly says Regency during total incapacity of the Sovereign. Physical incapacity does not mean total incapacity.

volver

^She could appoint Charles as Regent if her health is failing and may yet do that.^

Actually, she couldn't, as OakDryad showed us above.

Yes, I’ve read that too. However I’m sure she can request it.

What a lot of posts using “I for one…!”
Also some highly colourful (OTT?) language … putrid … snake oil… anathema ?

Sorry if I’m going off at a tangent and being trivial maybe it’s the gale force wind we have here

Regency requires the monarch to be mentally or physically incapable of carrying out their duties. I would suggest that the ‘physically incapable’ box has been ticked. It’s not necessary for the other one also to be ticked. But let’s face it, she is most unlikely ever to do that, nor to abdicate. I consider that she is now behaving stubbornly and selfishly. She could go on for some years like this.

I can understand why the Queen would not want to be seen in a wheelchair (if that was the reason she didn't attend) - it is probably because we all know as soon as she appears in a wheelchair there will be wild speculation in the media of how there is something desperately wrong with her (we have had a few suggestions on this thread). Dozens of "experts" and "close friends" will come out of the woodwork.

“While UK taxpayers contribute to the Crown via the Sovereign Grant, the Royal Household also brings in plenty of cash to help boost Britain's economy - and the figure amounts tosome billions of pounds. “

“How much revenue does the monarchy generate?

The intangible value, understood as the present value of the benefits that the Monarchy is expected to bring the UK economy over the years, constitutes the remaining £42 billion. Brand Finance estimates that in 2017 the Monarchy generated a gross uplift of £1.766 billion to the UK economy.”

Above taken from internet.

Furthermore, the monarchy is an intrinsic part of our heritage and history. Woven for centuries into the fabric of our country, with all its unrivalled pomp and ceremony admired (and envied) around the world. What would be the point of getting rid of such a valuable asset? What would we gain?
These are genuine questions.

I caught a bit of Charles reading the speech and thought he sounded bored/cynical ! Dont blame him