Royal Families & their ‘value’ to citizens’ everyday lives

[GliderPoss]

I can't say for the other royal families from elsewhere but as a Commonwealth country I think @Daisys and Diamonds said it best:
"... the Queen is just this beautiful calming constant, the only constant I've had in my whole life
my entire life full of change and uncertainty, worry and loss -the Queen and Prince Philip have always been there somewhere in a familiar and safe background. Unlike an elected head of state she's just on another plain - a higher plain entirely. All her life she has dedicated herself to her peoples all over the world. She is the biggest international champion of all the countries in the Commonwealth..."

To me she is a shining example of duty to the greater good. I know of no one who has ever worked so hard, so diligently and for so long for a cause. Long Live the Queen!

 

[telephone89]

There are tons of rich folk who do great charity work, and it has nothing to do with their blood line. I agree that yes, the charity work that the royals do/participate in are great, but literally anyone with money qualifies for that. I don't think their charity work is any more special than say, Amal Clooney, who is (now) famous, but not royal.

I also think it's interesting that people bring up how the monarchy has supported/dedicated herself to people all over the world but don't recognize the devastation of colonialism/zation in many of those countries.

 

[OoohShiny]

BUT I think the British people who love her love "British Tradition" if I can segue for a second; isn't this why the Brits have Brexit? Tradition, the Brexiters want to go back to Rule Britannia, many British people do not like all the refugees who have moved to England, and I can hardly blame them because it's a disruption.

I can't remember where you are based, Tekate!

The Remainers (Remoaners, as they are sometimes called ) and the pro-EU media try to play up anti-immigration sentiment expressed by some and infer that all Brexiteers are uninformed, stupid, slack-jawed, rabid xenophobes, but the reasons for voting for Brexit are many and complex.

Many people are just fed up with a giant, faceless, unaccountable, expensive, socialism-agenda-pushing behemoth enforcing its policies on everyone, whether they like it or not, so taking back some control on law-making abilities is seen as desirable, amongst other things.

Britain is a land of immigrants, from all over the world and for many hundreds of years, and the British people are some of the most varied, tolerant, and diverse in heritage of any nation on the planet, I would argue

Think of it another way - if the USA was part of a larger organisation that included Canada and all the countries in South America, wouldn't it want to veto things that it doesn't agree with but which other countries were keen to put in place because it benefited them?

I also think it's interesting that people bring up how the monarchy has supported/dedicated herself to people all over the world but don't recognize the devastation of colonialism/zation in many of those countries.

I would agree that, historically speaking, the UK has not been a shining paragon of virtue - but has any country?

Times past are times past - attitudes were different, the world was a bigger place, there was less understanding. It is how a country moves forward with the knowledge and understanding of the present that is important.

I'm not sure the USA, for example, could really point fingers, anyway, given its record of results of its interventionist policies in places that just happen to have a lot of oil and how those of different skin colour seem to still be treated in many bible belt states

 

[arkieb1]

As an Aussie they rule Australia as well. I think everyone got their money's worth out of the service to the community the queen provided, but in general, I think it is an outdated institution that we the taxpayers should not have to fund.

And don't get me started on my views on the negative impacts of British colonisation....

 

[luv2sparkle]

As an American, I love everything about watching the royal family. I find it interesting and love the history of it all. I adored Diana we were very close in age, and had children at the same time. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing when I heard she had died. I still get a lump in my throat when I think about it. Camilla may have worked hard since on her charities, but she will never be anything other than a horrible person in my eyes, and I don't think Charles is much better. I know things were different then, but to treat a very young woman the way they did for the sake of the crown, is something I just can't understand.

 

[Tekate]

I can't remember where you are based, Tekate! I live in the USA in the state of Maine, which is in a part of America named New England.

The Remainers (Remoaners, as they are sometimes called ) and the pro-EU media try to play up anti-immigration sentiment expressed by some and infer that all Brexiteers are uninformed, stupid, slack-jawed, rabid xenophobes, but the reasons for voting for Brexit are many and complex.

From all I have read about leaving the EU for Britain means isolation, lack of growth.
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/world/europe/what-is-brexit.html

Many people are just fed up with a giant, faceless, unaccountable, expensive, socialism-agenda-pushing behemoth enforcing its policies on everyone, whether they like it or not, so taking back some control on law-making abilities is seen as desirable, amongst other things.

I had read this and of course it's one man from Ireland's view but this view is what I have often read (I read the BBC news and the IT).

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/ireland-loves-exactly-what-britain-hates-about-europe-1.3747849

Britain is a land of immigrants, from all over the world and for many hundreds of years, and the British people are some of the most varied, tolerant, and diverse in heritage of any nation on the planet, I would argue

It's good to be varied, tolerant and diverse in heritage, I'm not sure it's more diverse than the USA, but it could be I've never really ever thought about it and I'm not sure it has anything to do with leaving the EU. The US is pretty varied and diverse in heritage and tolerant or at least 47% vs 53% of are. The vote for Brexit was something close to what I believe we have here in the US in our election of Trump.

Think of it another way - if the USA was part of a larger organisation that included Canada and all the countries in South America, wouldn't it want to veto things that it doesn't agree with but which other countries were keen to put in place because it benefited them?

The USA is a large organization, we are made of up states, with states rights, our constitution was set written to enforce states rights. We have this problem about laws in our country, say abortion, eventually abortion will be legal in some states and not others (it seems to be going that way imho). So I think as an American I am a citizen of the USofA, a resident of the state of Maine, in Maine we don't always agree with what the feds want so we pass laws to enforce our views (unless somebody sues, but the USA citizens are a suing bunch).


I would agree that, historically speaking, the UK has not been a shining paragon of virtue - but has any country?

No, I don't think any country has been a country with shining virture and I believe things are getting worse across the world, with rise of nationalism, white privilege, a yearning for the past, jingoism, anti-intellectualism, elitism and xenophobia to name a few thiings have been creeping in my country USA and I read about these types of things happening in France, England, Russia etc also.

Times past are times past - attitudes were different, the world was a bigger place, there was less understanding. It is how a country moves forward with the knowledge and understanding of the present that is important.

I'm no sure what you are getting at here.

I'm not sure the USA, for example, could really point fingers, anyway, given its record of results of its interventionist policies in places that just happen to have a lot of oil and how those of different skin colour seem to still be treated in many bible belt states

I don't know if the USA is pointing fingers?? it's reported in the NYTimes and Post etc. I don't even know if there is a 'bible belt' anymore, as you mentioned above "it is how a country moves forward...." in America you will find a difference between people who live in cities versus people who live more rurally, I guess one could say people are more religious in rural America. In America there is 'white privilege' if you've not read it's the inability of a white person to understand how a black person things, feels etc, the white person thinks Black's were emancipated and have not moved ahead because of their OWN fault and there is no racism in America, which is incorrect but try telling that to an American who believes it's as easy as pie to get a job, I think white privilege is so ingrained in American society that it will take decades to change it, but as my husband says, he grew up in VA and he remembers white only water fountains so in that setting black Americans have come quite far. I'd bet there is white privilege in England also.

America has intervened in other countries and been pretty horrible and will probably continue to do so at this point. Russia has, I'm sure Britain has, but I don't really even think the America government cares about Brexit or England.

When England leaves the EU with no deal at this moment anyway only time will show the benefits and downside of leaving will be. Hopefully minimal.

And as I said about the royal family, for me I find it bizarre to spend money on people who you have to curtsey to, people who believe they are born to a higher purpose due to heritage, but that is me, I thought Diana was a lovely woman, I think her kids seem to be great guys and fathers, and they give back to the country. It's always lovely to watch the weddings and see the babies etc. It's all very nice, but for me, I don't want to pay any taxes for people to have a generational heritage of being royal and above because that was the way it was, it's a different world today. The British people don't seem to mind and they are the ones who pay.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I can't say for the other royal families from elsewhere but as a Commonwealth country I think @Daisys and Diamonds said it best:
"... the Queen is just this beautiful calming constant, the only constant I've had in my whole life
my entire life full of change and uncertainty, worry and loss -the Queen and Prince Philip have always been there somewhere in a familiar and safe background. Unlike an elected head of state she's just on another plain - a higher plain entirely. All her life she has dedicated herself to her peoples all over the world. She is the biggest international champion of all the countries in the Commonwealth..."

To me she is a shining example of duty to the greater good. I know of no one who has ever worked so hard, so diligently and for so long for a cause. Long Live the Queen!

thank you @GliderPoss

and as you say
Long Live the Queen !

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Britian is hardly the only country to have practised colonialism and some other countries did a whole lot worse job of being masters of their colonies
(besides we were colony ststis for only a relativly short time)
some countries worked out better than others
my ancestors were whalers who where part of the lawlessness before we became British.
life must have got a whole lot nicer with some law and order
i don't want to engage in the Brexit debate but Britian did more harm to my country by joining the common market of Europe in the 1970s than it did by colonialism
i always respected the Quuen mum's love and loyalty to the commonwealth and her daughter inherited that love and the royal family never forget the scarfices my country made fighting in the World Wars which somd politicans and some ordinary people seem to

 

[GliderPoss]

Everyone seems to bang on about Princess Diana, yes she was a wonderful patron BUT she was hardly a "commoner" herself...

Diana was born into the Spencer family, a family of British nobility, and she was the youngest daughter of Viscount and Viscountess Althorp. She grew up in Park House, situated on the Sandringham estate, and was educated in England and Switzerland. In 1975, after her father inherited the title of Earl Spencer, she became known as Lady Diana Spencer, a style she would retain until her marriage.

I think the Queen did just as much in the way of charity work, but at that time Royals just weren't as media/press/publicity savvy as Diana was...

 

[OoohShiny]

And don't get me started on my views on the negative impacts of British colonisation....

I have to do some work today so can't reply properly to any of the excellent posts above but I would ask the question... have there been any positive impacts of colonialism?

 

[Tekate]

I am interested in hearing what Brexit did that harmed your country.. are you in Canada?

Americans aren't brought up on kings and queens etc.. we broke away from Engand beause of taxes and forever after we hate taxes it's very hard for me to wrap around something as quaint as kings, queens, uppercrust, fox hunts (yes I know they are outlawed but I have read Brits continue to hunt down the fox, and in America we have idiots ((trump sons as an example)) who hunt and kill exotic animals) British people love their heritage and their past, since our past isn't too long ago in the scheme of things we don't have centuries of people ruling us and we have no reigning monarch and never will, this is my point and how I view British royalty that's all and as to Brexit, there is no consensus as to what will really happen, as long at the PM (whomever it will be as Boris seems to be a bit sticky wicky right now) can get some kind of trade deal then things should move along, not sure how the Irish feel or Scots etc. I think @OoohShiny pointed out correctly, it's all about today, and today what happens in Brexit is still not a known. The queen seems a stoic, kind older woman, she did much doing WWII etc, in America since we don't have a monarchy many of the people who did much during WWII go out of office etc.. we have no tradition of a monarchy (and fought against one). I'm fine with rule Britania is fine with me, it's great people love their monarchy, it just wouldn't cut it here.

I watched when princess Anne married her first husband, it was lovely, and Diana married Charlies etc.. fun, pretty wonderful times. I can understand this. Long live the Queen in England.

Britian is hardly the only country to have practised colonialism and some other countries did a whole lot worse job of being masters of their colonies
(besides we were colony ststis for only a relativly short time)
some countries worked out better than others
my ancestors were whalers who where part of the lawlessness before we became British.
life must have got a whole lot nicer with some law and order
i don't want to engage in the Brexit debate but Britian did more harm to my country by joining the common market of Europe in the 1970s than it did by colonialism
i always respected the Quuen mum's love and loyalty to the commonwealth and her daughter inherited that love and the royal family never forget the scarfices my country made fighting in the World Wars which somd politicans and some ordinary people seem to

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

I am interested in hearing what Brexit did that harmed your country.. are you in Canada?

Americans aren't brought up on kings and queens etc.. we broke away from Engand beause of taxes and forever after we hate taxes it's very hard for me to wrap around something as quaint as kings, queens, uppercrust, fox hunts (yes I know they are outlawed but I have read Brits continue to hunt down the fox, and in America we have idiots ((trump sons as an example)) who hunt and kill exotic animals) British people love their heritage and their past, since our past isn't too long ago in the scheme of things we don't have centuries of people ruling us and we have no reigning monarch and never will, this is my point and how I view British royalty that's all and as to Brexit, there is no consensus as to what will really happen, as long at the PM (whomever it will be as Boris seems to be a bit sticky wicky right now) can get some kind of trade deal then things should move along, not sure how the Irish feel or Scots etc. I think @OoohShiny pointed out correctly, it's all about today, and today what happens in Brexit is still not a known. The queen seems a stoic, kind older woman, she did much doing WWII etc, in America since we don't have a monarchy many of the people who did much during WWII go out of office etc.. we have no tradition of a monarchy (and fought against one). I'm fine with rule Britania is fine with me, it's great people love their monarchy, it just wouldn't cut it here.

I watched when princess Anne married her first husband, it was lovely, and Diana married Charlies etc.. fun, pretty wonderful times. I can understand this. Long live the Queen in England.

im in New Zealand
our economy is rural based
we are like one big farm
i come from the place where the first shipment of frozen lamp left for Britian in 1882
that transformed our economy
we basically farmed to feed Britian
and proudly did so

so im talking pre brexit
Britain joined the EEC i think around 1973 but i don't have time to check
sorry im burning something in the oven
ok we recovered
but we had to find new markets for our produce
which we did
(and we also farm very economically with no government subsidies
our cows and sheep live a natural life outside and eat grass)
to me it's always felt like a slap in the face - thrle UK joining the EEC but it probably wasn't indented as such -the commonwealth just became less important to the UK
i know the present Brexit seems to be very unpopular with those who didn't vote for it but the UK has an entire family of nations to renew trade agreements with including Canada and New Zealand
when my mother grew up most imported goods had Made in GB stamped on them
i beleave in free trade and zero tarrifs
its up to producers to make a better product if they want to.compete
farming is not a branch of the welfair state

completly unrelated but one year when i was a kid one year the USSR couldn't pay their butter bill so they paid in Ladas

on a personal note i always thought it was unfair over who or who could not be eligable for British residency as all my grand parents and at least their parents were born here or on Australia
anyeay the way the world has turned out id rather just keep my black New Zealand passport
sorry black smoke billowing from oven now

anyway i genuinely want good for the British people
i just think they signed up to this modern Europe thing with their eyes half closed as it now seems so difficult to untangle then selves from Europe
it seems very wrong that they can't even start negotiations on trade agreements till they are officially out
its 2019 i would not trust another body to make laws for my country

 

[OoohShiny]

i just think they signed up to this modern Europe thing with their eyes half closed as it now seems so difficult to untangle then selves from Europe
it seems very wrong that they can't even start negotiations on trade agreements till they are officially out

It's almost like they are making it deliberately difficult in order to 'make an example' to the rest of the EU, to imply that they better not leave because it will be so hard to do...

lol

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

It's almost like they are making it deliberately difficult in order to 'make an example' to the rest of the EU, to imply that they better not leave because it will be so hard to do...

lol

yes it does
its putting everyone into a.very unpleasent situation
i guess the hard brexit
i feel sorry for them

 

[acaw2015]

Swedish citizen, I think the royal family is the least democratic institution in our country and dont like it at all. Our society seems sometimes very modern, but not in this case. Id rather read tabloids about the Kardashians than our king/queen etc. And I dont want to read about the Kardashians either...