Originally posted by Mat KelleyThin air.
What are our alternative to a monarchy.
Originally posted by Mat Kelley
How many tourist do republican head of states bring in?
None at all, just the same as unelected heads of state. People come to see pretty palaces and the changing of the guard, not anachronistic lazy figureheads.
Originally posted by Mat KelleyGreat idea, but 99% of the time you CAN'T see the Queen. All you can see is her massive Palace or stately home through the thick iron gate around it with some poncy guards standing about.
I believe you are wrong, some would come and look at pretty palaces anyway granted but lots want to see the "queen".
Originally posted by geniuswell it happened with Bruce Lee's son on a movie set, gun supposed
prince william is graduating today (yay!). so the queen is visiting st andrews (once again, yay!). it is also the madras colledge's (the main high school in st andrew) sports day.
however, as the queen is visiting they are not allowed to use a gun to start the races. this means that no records can be set. some people aren't happy. others, like me, are a ...[text shortened]... ravel faster than the speed of sound. so if you've heard thee bang (usually) you're alright...
to fire blanks but it had a live round in it, killed Brandon Lee
on the spot. But why don't they use something else like whacking
two boards together, or hitting a bell with a hammer like they do
at boxing matches? What is so sacred about it having to be a
blank firing pistol?
Don't they have any imagination? It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to figure something like that out. I just came up with
2 plausible scenarios that would work, there are undoubtedly others.
A lot of the Royal family are renowned for doing charity work. Remember Princess Diana. She devoted her life to it. Prince Harry is out in Africa doing his bit. I think Princess Margaret did a fair bit as well before she got in a hot bath. Ooops. In fact, I think they all do. I think they realise that they are in a priveleged position and do well to use that position well. Most of what we read about them is convoluted hysterical shyasma, broadcast by none other than the Daily Star, Sun, Mirror etc.
I personally believe that they try to live their lives to the best potential led by a good set of morals. I mean, they would struggle to lead 'normal' lives. What would happen if William decided that he wanted a job a Tescos? All hell would break loose and he would be given a stirn talking to.
Conclusion
These folk are born into royalty and have no choice over that. They are extremely priveleged but, as far as I can tell, do not abuse this privelege. The grand majority of them realise this and respond gracefully.
PS an answer to the gun problem at St Andrew's would be to use a plastic one with a switch that in turn activated an electronic BANG. Any takers? 😛
Originally posted by Mat KelleyPrince Phillip was also a serving naval officer at the time he first met then-Princess Elizabeth. His war record was quite good and he served with distinction.
He was a Royal Navy Officer before, just look at the number of Engagements the Prince Philip attends a year at the age of 80+.
I personally have a lot of respect for Philip often says what most people a thinking, though not terribly tactfully.
Originally posted by jimslyp69But not, ironically, her will. She was as mean as a Republican when it came to her own money.
A lot of the Royal family are renowned for doing charity work. Remember Princess Diana. She devoted her life to it.
I appreciate what you're saying, but this "they were born into it, they didn't choose" argument doesn't really scan - if they don't want to be state parasites, all they have to do is resign and become private citizens. It's been done before, there's nothing difficult about it.
Originally posted by jimslyp69Do they though?
A lot of the Royal family are renowned for doing charity work. Remember Princess Diana. She devoted her life to it. Prince Harry is out in Africa doing his bit. I think Princess Margaret did a fair bit as well before she got in a hot bath. Ooops. In fact, I think they all do.
All Diana did was seem to do was the publicity side of things.
I'd be much more impressed by someone taking on one or two causes that mean a lot to them and getting their hands dirty.
I think people fail to take into account just how little they do. Take Princess Anne, for example - she's been such a lazy chair of the IOC bid (she refuses to lobby - it's "beneath" her, apparently - and until the last month or so, she's spent years doing absolutely nothing for the cause) that she's set its chances back years.