Future of the Monarchy

Some people are praising Harry and Meghan for getting out when they did, implying they knew something which is untrue because they wanted a half in/half out deal that Elizabeth refused them.
They've done nothing but try and trade in on their Royal titles ever since.

I think you're right Caleo. Giving someone a job because of who they are instead of whether or not they have the skills to do it, rarely ends well.

Anniebach

Quote Silvershadow Fri 20-Feb-26 17:21:26
I don’t think it’s his own horse but one he borrows to ride while he whiles away his days. A useless man who could be doing charity work under the radar.

Perhaps he does

"Perhaps he does"(Anniebach).

Perhaps. Few people are entirely evil. AM-W seems to be a weak and silly person who has been reared within a culture of entitlement without benefit of noblesse oblige. The fact remains that A M-W was maybe not fit for the work he was supposed to do.

Said on the news last night that Charles had voiced concerns about him being a trade envoy.

I remember watching a programme several years ago in which a diplomat said that Andrew was bumptious and ill-mannered and totally unsuited to be a business "envoy". It seems now that several people have endorsed that opinion but, at the time, because he was "a royal" no-one felt they could say or do anything to have him removed. So for those that say the royal family has a purely symbolic and traditional function, I think this proves that they have a great deal of behind-the-scenes power - and perhaps this needs examining.

I'm in favour a republic. I always liked queen Elizabeth 11 but I've seen in the press she, together with Charles paid Virginia guffry over 12 million to not prosecute Andrew. A mother paying off a woman her son abused?
Also there's the Charles Diana and Camilla triangle. Are we really meant to bow down and respect these people?
I hope we do end up a republic with an elected head of state. Palaces could be opened to tourists to bring in revenue as another posted said.
William told one reporter that he was worried when Andrew was arrested. I'm wondering why and if he met Epstein as well or is he just worried about the end of the public's respect for the Crown?

The Revolution is nigh.

Auf Wiedersehn. Sax Coburg Gotha Sorry, The House of
Windsor.

Off with their heads.

🎊🎇🪓

SORES

“Whilst the Monarch occupies the highest office of State,
no one else can
While he is Head of Law, no politician can take over the
Courts
As Head of State, no General can take over the Government
As Head of the Services, no coup can turn the Army against
the people

The strength of the Monarchy does not lie in the power it
gives to the Sovereign
but in the power it denies anyone else”

This was the official description in 1969.

Well they would say that. Wouldn't they.

Didn't know that, about Republic.
Disappointing.

MayBee70
I think we’d end up with someone like Farage as president sad

Never - but even if we got such a vile specimen, at least we’d only have ourselves to blame and with a short term in office we could get rid of him.

With what we have now it’s just the order of birth stopping us having Andrew as King and we get stuck with him for a lot more than a couple of years (and fund all his relatives and heirs to live lavish lifestyles in mansions without accountability)

MayBee70

I think we’d end up with someone like Farage as president .

God forbid!!

StoneofDestiny

Let's not forget it was the group Republic who filed the complaint to Thames Valley Police about Andrew - nobody else and certainly not anybody in the Royal Household or Government

I think also the fact they made it clear they would take out a private prosecution if no action was taken was also a determining factor.

Let's not forget it was the group Republic who filed the complaint to Thames Valley Police about Andrew - nobody else and certainly not anybody in the Royal Household or Government

Think the ‘royal family’ will survive this but once William is King I think there will be huge changes and the ‘family’ will be much smaller and have a completely different image. I do think George will be King eventually but again, it’ll all look different.

Whitewavemark2

If we decide to keep a monarchy, I think that there must be total transparency in the RFs financial dealings and behaviour in general

And I think all the laws of the land should apply to all members of the RF including KC

What evidence is there that "they knew"?

They knew about the £12 million - we all did! They would know who came in and out of Royal Palaces - William in particular has his PR team telling us he had major concern for years about his uncles behaviour. Look at the timescale of how titles and positions were removed from Andrew - this was done over a long time. Why did they not speak up for the victims then? Why only now?

If we decide to keep a monarchy, I think that there must be total transparency in the RFs financial dealings and behaviour in general.

I think this should also extend to all members of parliament, who appear to often have carte blanch in their behaviour, without any culpability.

It's a good job that our legal system requires evidence isn't it Caleo.

StoneofDestiny

*The King is going to set an example of proper management of crime within the family*

Neither he nor William have clean hands to do this! They knew, they covered it up, they are only acting 'concerned' now because they have been shown to have kept silent about it all.

What evidence is there that "they knew"?

Allira Must agree, I know of many nurses, not so many teachers who do not use food banks. I dread to think who would be in charge without the Royals. Yes, the current issue brings a lot of disrepute but is there a family anywhere that doesn't have a blacksheep?

The King is going to set an example of proper management of crime within the family

Neither he nor William have clean hands to do this! They knew, they covered it up, they are only acting 'concerned' now because they have been shown to have kept silent about it all.

Samwam

Indeed. The Royal rot has been exposed because of records kept by Epstein, not because anybody in Britain has scrutinised Royal behaviour. The media has been silenced by being too eager to be kept in the 'pack' allowed access to the Royals, getting the heads up on Kates new dress or Williams 10 minutes of selling The Big Issue. We need a far more critical, independent media and to remove the shackles to permit our representatives to ask more informed questions about the Royals. We need accountability and public access to Royal finances.
We need to stop the undue deference to unearned privilege. It is absurd to claim 'The queen never put a foot wrong", "Charles is modernising the monarchy" '"William and Kate are faultless'.

The Queen knew what Andrew was doing, and paid £12 million to hush it up. The Queen had to be forced to pay taxes and covered up her own mother's and sister's excesses on the public purse. Philip was a national embarrassment. He insulted just about everybody he met and if he had been an employee of a proper 'firm', he would have been sacked. Look at what were called his 'gaffes' and compare them to anything Meghan is alleged to have said - wonder why he got away with his appalling behaviour and she was/is pulled apart for everything she allegedly said and did.
Charles, William and Kate were fully aware of Andrew's behaviour. They are backpedaling like crazy now because'Williams future is at stake'. They did not expose him when they should have done - they are facilitators. Suddenly they are 'thinking of the victims'. Too little and far too late.

We do not need a monarchy. Nothing stops happening when one of them dies. The country has survived the 'irreplaceable Queen' and 'irreplaceable Diana'.

If people believe we need a monarch, make it one. Not their family members - one King or one Queen who can live in one House! Civic gatherings can take place in one of the many civic buildings we have. Cut out the nonsense of countless palaces and hunting estates and the laughingly referred to Royal 'cottages'. Stop the extensive security for brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles, aunts etc.

Above all give us openness. Public access to Royal finances. Utterly galling that our taxes paid for Andrew to have massages and to use a helicopter to play golf while allegedly representing us on the world stage. Stop the private Wills. Why can't we know what they pass on to family members? They can see all of our Wills!

Aside from the abominable behaviour of Andrew, where was the money coming from to enable him to fly around the world meeting up with the Epstein cronies anytime he wished? We now know Andrew and Edward and Sophie have been accommodated in mansions while paying peppercorn rents - why has that been kept from the public for so long? Charles, William and Kate obviously think it is fine to use public money this way.

Let us have a full assessment of lands held by Royals - what is actually owned by the public and how much money could realistically be made by changing its use.

It's delusional to think the royals are serving the public! They have been proven to serve themselves first and last. We will all survive without seeing them attending the real hardships like Wimbledon, Ascot, The BAFTAs, Cheltenham etc. We will manage fine without seeing Kate's latest dress or hairdo.

To keep these independently wealthy multi millionaires in constant splendour freely dipping into taxpayers money, while the public purse is stretched to breaking point is appalling. Enough.

This is not just an Andrew exposè - this is a Royal family exposè we are seeing now. There is corruption right through, that has the police and palace security silenced while the money disgusting abuse of public trust has taken place over many decades.

I agree with Ronib the monarchy is better, if it is properly run, than the sort of politicians who would try to become presidents. The King is going to set an example of proper management of crime within the family. Properly managed this incident will improve the standing of the family.

Bear in mind that Putin was only entitled to two terms in office, until he changed the arrangements.

I'm not a big fan of the monarchy. However, when I look at the state the US is in at the moment I think, for the moment anyway, we are better with the constitution we have at the moment. Plus, I wonder who would become the Head of State if the monarchy was abolished. Looking at the current political talent I don't think we could do very much better than the current system. I have to say there are very few people in public office who inspire me.