Off With The Head!

Englishman

Respect for the UK monarchy has plummeted again. Prince Edwards private company has been taking secret photo's of Prince William at St Anrews Uni in Scotland in the hope of making a tidy profit in the media. Williams Dad, he of the amazing ears and known as Charles, is reported to be "Incandascent with rage" at this intrusion. So here we have the heir to the throne (Charles) being furious with his little brother (Edward) for taking pics of Number 2 in-line-for-the-throne, William.

I have to be honest, I am sick and tired of hearing about the Royals's shennanigans. To cap it all, look what it says on the web-site of the British Embassy in the USA: The Queen can do no wrong Thats right, she can't be prosecuted for anything, neither can she be sued. She is also the Head of the Church of England, Wow!

Now, it seems to me that it's well time that the UK became know as the United Republic Of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

I think that it's high time that our outdated system of Government was totally reviewed so that the UK could become a Republic complete with an elected president. The Royals are as much use as red telephone boxes, IMHO it's time to move on and make some real progress!

Englishman.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be....

Angharad

I know what you mean EM

I'm sick of sitting down to watch the news and hearing about how the Queen Mother sneezed again, shes 101 you know[8>]

Mulan

speaking of the Queen Mum, do any of you know why she can't hold her head straight? She is always tilted.

Marilyn (a.k.a. Mulan)

bboyneko

As an american let me be the first to say your outdated monarchy is like butt dimples..cute but useless. And not only useless but expensive to the english taxpayers.

expatbrit

Cobblers old chap!

Consitutional monarchy combined with a democratically elected government is one of the most balanced forms of governance invented. A strong monarchy has made England (and later Britain) probably the most stable country in the world over the past thousand years.

The fact is, democracy has limitations. This is especially apparent when there is an overwhelming majority to one party in parliament, as now. There needs to be a balance in the system to provide a check to abuse by an unopposed party in power, and the tyranny of the majority. Hence the lords and the monarchy, a way of making parliament re-examine dodgy legislation.

As to whether the royals are any value, what are the most popular tourist sites in Britain? Places like the Tower of London, Britain's stately homes and palaces, Westminster Abbey etc simply wouldn't exist if not for the royalty. These places create billions of pounds of tourist revenue for the country, and should be taken into account when viewing the public listing expenses for the royals.

Diplomatically the royals are extremely useful. Here in the former colonies they are more royalist than in the homeland. The royals provide a tangible link to our shared history. They are a way of advancing British interests abroad by, quite frankly, schmoozing foreign dignitaries with visits etc. The royals create untold billions in trade with this indirect selling method.

Mind you, the Queen Mother, as You Know has informed us, is the head of an evil illuminati organisation bent on world dominance. To the tower with 'er!

Btw, did this subject come up at the pub? I seem to recall it being a favourite over the bitter and peanuts.

Expatbrit, hoping for a peerage from this post