Royal family or a president?

I see the House of Windsors as usurpers - there are many great families in Britain who have a greater claim to be Royal. Having said that, I'm a Republican, the anomaly being that as a child of the Fifties I was immersed in Royal Family history - it could easily be my Mastermind subject.
I have a great respect for the Queen who has devoted her life to service, but she and her family are very well rewarded.
It is an anachronism in the 21st century to have a group of people treated by many as demi-gods. It makes me sad to think of those who camp out at great occasions and go weak at the knees if a Royal deigns to speak to them - they probably have much more moral and blameworthy lives than members of the Royal Family. I have met and spoken to several 'Royals' in the course of my work and other interests, but I have never curtseyed to any of them - after all they do have the same bodily functions as us!

However as someone has said previously, once the Queen has gone the Monarchy will be on shifting sands with each future generation weakening it.
I would be quite happy to see an elected Head of State and I believe the pomp and ceremony would still continue as a tourist attraction and money-maker.

I think they are best value for money.

I do sometimes think that the true monarch is alive and well and living in Australia - the last Plantagenet.

Monarchy. Just look at the examples of Presidents around the world. Most of them are corrupt and far, far wealthier than our royal family, and have often got their wealth by robbing their countries resources, and the aid sent by countries such as ours.
Our royals have no real power and are just figureheads, but popular figureheads, admired by even the mighty USA!
I like having them, I like the history and traditions.
And they work hard at very boring jobs. The Queen, at her great age has only this year scaled back on her relentless round of public engagements. How many of us would enjoy over 300 visits a year, however plush the lifestyle?

Most presidents? Really? All of them? Or just most politicians? Plenty of corrupt monarchs which is why most countries got rid of theirs. Just because our queen is is doing an ok job and we all love gawping at a wedding doesn’t mean the hereditary principle can be defended.

Most countries did get rid of theirs Gerispringer and now envy us for keeping ours.
Many if those lining the streets for the RW were from other countries.

If they really envied ours they’d bring back their own.

Some of them have

Not a lot.

It depends on why they got rid of them - if they were benign then perhaps they wish they still had them, especially if they have a President who is profligate.

If they were not benign then perhaps they are thankful that they did.

paddyann yes we need a like button.

Anniebach the ridicule goes with the territory. Their choice.

Feelingmyage55 I enjoyed hearing views from your post. Sure isn't Gransnet great? ?

Anne’s thank you. As I say it takes all sorts. It would be very dull if we all thought alike. Always a good idea too, to review one’s own ideas and opinions by listening to those of others.

annep sorry autocorrect!

A head of State would still need homes to entertain other heads of State from around the world to further British interests, and the staff plus budget for travel, entertaining and staff.

People would be moaning about that then, if that happened.

And president Boris? After the Queens exemplary service, no one could match up to her example.

Jalima1108 my ex husband says he is a Plantagenet and he lives in Spalding.

We take no notice

You say Grandma70's that you have yet to hear an argument put forth in favour of a Republic as opposed to a monarchy¡? Here's on that might resonate: Elected v. Imposed!

Add the House of Lords to the list....again....unelected!!! No place in today's society for these people living off their priveilage!

Let's de-bunk another myth about the royal family bringing in tourism..... Paris is THE most visited place in Europe and they got rid of their aristocracy over 200 years ago. !! They are an an anachronism of which we must be rid. Let the queen see her time out and then shut them down!

Elected v. Imposed, Saggi? Elected like Trump, Thatcher, Hitler? It doesn't seem to work, does it? And there is then no history or continuity. No, thank you.

Imposed - like mad George, Bloody Mary, Edward 7th, not to mention loads of wastes of spaces in the house of Lords only there because of family connections. If elected, at least we’ve only got ourselves to blame and can get rid.

We could get rid of the Royals if they turned corrupt, as other countries have done. It was done in this country too, and we got that charming, civilised Cromwell.

I’m not sure how we’d get rid of them, though. Guillotine, like the French? Shooting, like Russia?

No just quietly put out to grass, like many ex Royal families, but if they were really into public service nothing to stop them standing for election.

Who wants to be a "subject" who, in order to take on certain public positions or apply for British citizenship, has no choice but to swear allegiance to a king or queen and his/her heirs and successors? It is, in my view, totally inappropriate for a supposedly progressive country since it enshrines inequality and privilege.

Perhaps it’s time for some ‘subjects’ to emigrate to a perfect fairyland or should I say Lalaland. Please send a post card to GN when you find it, then we can all come & join you ?