I'm not in the slightest bit jealous of them but that doesn't mean I agree with the amount of my money being spent on their lifestyle, I'd much rather it went to charity.
I think they're probably all ok as people, or as ok as the generality of us can be. Certainly a member of my family meets Prince Charles socially from time to time and says he's a nice chap, easy to get on with, interesting to talk to, doesn't stand on ceremony etc; and there's no doubt that the Queen has done a remarkably good job with the role she's been given.
However, I have been a republican for all of my adult life, as it seems to me that it is impossible for the UK to have a monarchy without an invidious class system which works to the detriment of this country as a whole.
The day we heard that Princess Diana had died I had to start hanging an exhibition in the centre of Norwich - this involved using some power tools and hammers etc - some people remonstrated with me for 'making a noise when the whole country is in mourning'. Really
Needless to say the exhibition went ahead - it had to, it was being assessed so that students could gain their MAs (or not, as the case may be).
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
"Its strange how a lot of other countries around the world love to flock to Britain to see anything 'Royal' but people in this country complain about them. These people on holiday in Britain bring in a lot of money."
No tourist meets the Queen or anyone else in the royal family. More tourists visit former royal palaces than current ones: Versailles, the former Imperial palaces in and around St Petersburg, the Forbidden City, the former imperial palaces in Vienna etc etc.
People come to see and experience these things rather than because there is a royal family. Who goes to Spain because there is a royal family?
No need to apologise - adults ought to be able to discuss stuff and disagree without falling out about it - if we couldn't then we probably would need a paternalistic and autocratic head of state!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I think that this thread started as a bit of light hearted banter, always a good idea. it now seems to be turning into a bit of a rant about politics and class.
For what it is worth, I have always had fairly left of centre politics, but still like the idea of our Royal family. I know that they bring a great deal of pleasure to many people and that seems a good thing in fairly desperate times.
How can you lie there and think of England When you don't even know who's in the team
Posts
I'm not in the slightest bit jealous of them but that doesn't mean I agree with the amount of my money being spent on their lifestyle, I'd much rather it went to charity.
I think they're probably all ok as people, or as ok as the generality of us can be. Certainly a member of my family meets Prince Charles socially from time to time and says he's a nice chap, easy to get on with, interesting to talk to, doesn't stand on ceremony etc; and there's no doubt that the Queen has done a remarkably good job with the role she's been given.
However, I have been a republican for all of my adult life, as it seems to me that it is impossible for the UK to have a monarchy without an invidious class system which works to the detriment of this country as a whole.
The day we heard that Princess Diana had died I had to start hanging an exhibition in the centre of Norwich - this involved using some power tools and hammers etc - some people remonstrated with me for 'making a noise when the whole country is in mourning'. Really
Needless to say the exhibition went ahead - it had to, it was being assessed so that students could gain their MAs (or not, as the case may be).
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Well said Dove.
"Its strange how a lot of other countries around the world love to flock to Britain to see anything 'Royal' but people in this country complain about them. These people on holiday in Britain bring in a lot of money."
No tourist meets the Queen or anyone else in the royal family. More tourists visit former royal palaces than current ones: Versailles, the former Imperial palaces in and around St Petersburg, the Forbidden City, the former imperial palaces in Vienna etc etc.
People come to see and experience these things rather than because there is a royal family. Who goes to Spain because there is a royal family?
No need to apologise - adults ought to be able to discuss stuff and disagree without falling out about it - if we couldn't then we probably would need a paternalistic and autocratic head of state!
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I'm just glad to read of Happy News! It makes a change from the terrible things in the paper each day.
I think that this thread started as a bit of light hearted banter, always a good idea. it now seems to be turning into a bit of a rant about politics and class.
For what it is worth, I have always had fairly left of centre politics, but still like the idea of our Royal family. I know that they bring a great deal of pleasure to many people and that seems a good thing in fairly desperate times.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
I wonder what pressure would be put on them if they wanted to name her Diana?