Royal family or a president?

Monarchy.

I think you’ll find the household cavalry and trooping of the colour are military. Maybe with horses not tanks but still they’re soldiers.

It’s the hope that they MIGHT get a glimpse that excites the tourists. Of course, most of them don’t, but it’s a possibility..

A military parade isn’t pageantry, is it? Tanks certainly aren’t. I was thinking more golden coaches, lots of gorgeous horses, people in beautiful clothes. The Coronation was a very good example, but of course they don't happen very often.

I witnessed a big parade in Russia. It was the anniversary of a revolution, I think. It was just lots and lots of soldiers etc marching along the Nevsky Prospekt in St Petersburg. Not a coach or horse in sight, not at all picturesque..

The ceremony at the opening of the olympics in Beijing was quite impressive too.

Russia has always held impressive military parades, all those tanks

I don't think HM is keen on meeting Trump - unlike Macron.

North Korea can put on military parades too, I didn't say it was exclusive to the UK.
However, a horse that tried to get off the road like the one in the RW procession would be on someone's plate by now in that country.

Ive lived in London for years and I’ve seen the Queen about four times, Charles a few more times. I doubt if many tourists get a glimpse. The “empty palace” of Versailles gets far more tourists than any of the Queens’s places , which are nowhere near as elaborate or ornate. The French do loads of state parades, military stuff- you should have seen the show they put on for Trump ( hopefully we won’t do the same). This is no U.K. or monarchy bashing - just saying we shouldn’t kid ourselves that “ nowhere else” can manage a show or has any tourists.

Thanks Breda

I have heard of Mary Robinson.

Jamila1108 ...the President of the Republic of Ireland is Michael D Higgins. His salary and expenses in 2017 were estimated to total €3.9million for 2017.

One of his predecessors is Mary Robinson who also served as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from ‘97 to 2002. She was followed as President in Ireland by Mary McAleese and Michael Diggins was elected after Mrs McAleese.

It would appear that around 70% didn't watch/weren't interested
Only about 18 million watched the wedding in this country compared to up to 8.7 million for the FA Cup and only about 1.9 billion worldwide.
Oh dear, not great ratings then
Terrible.

We now know better?

As so often happens the Monarchy don't always seem to be as appreciated here as by the rest of the world. I would rather have the Queen than a 92 year old President.

Well I am a bit of an anomoly. I am very left wing, but a Royalist none the less. I do baulk at paying for stuff they can afford themselves, but on the whole I am for them. I love the history, pomp and ceremony. However, a pared down Monarchy is the way to go. There seem to be less 'hangers on' now than there used to be. Yes Maryeliza42, we have had some very shameful history - along with most 'civilised' countries of that era. However, we have a lot to be proud of as well, and we now know better.

I don’t get the impression the French do much pageantry. Have I missed something? They have tourists for many reasons.

My son, who leaves near Windsor, says the tourists are thrilled with the thought that they might see a real Queen who lives in the castle. It’s a big part of the appeal. Not the same at all as visiting unused palaces, however beautiful.

it seems the royals aren't as popular as they thought ...despite the huge publicity machine thats been banging on about THAT wedding for weeks nay months.It would appear that around 70% didn't watch/weren't interested .According to figures released today and of course the not interested figures rose higher than that in Scotland.Granny23 you might have a battle on your hands I hear there are at least THREE Stewart prtenders to the throne .Not sure if most Scots would want them though .

Did I say the French president was apolitical? No. I just said they manage to do all the pageantry and have a lot of tourists without a monarchy.

Trisher I will dissolve both the Union of the Crowns and the Treaty of Union. Scotland will henceforth be styled as the Realm of Scotland, as I will abolish the sexist term KINGdom. The realm will revert to the pre Union Boundaries and I will reclaim the Scottish Waters stolen by Tony Blair.

Scotland will not be able to BREXIT (the clue is in the initials) but I would not expect it to SEXIT as 62% of my people voted to remain.

The French President is not a-political.
The President, who is also supreme commander of the military, determines policy with the aid of his Council of Ministers (Conseil des ministres).

The French ( and other nations) manage to have lots of pomp and ceremonies and plenty of tourists without a monarchy. Just sayin....

Oo-er I am overcome...
Just thought when you are Queen will Scotland Brexit? And if not please can we move the border back down to Newcastle where it once was?

Thank you Trisher for your vote of confidence. As a reward I shall appoint you as my Ambassador to the Court of St James's.

Annibach As a fantasy Queen I can do what I like. Perhaps a compulsory purchase of Balmoral for a few Bawbees would suffice.

It is always interesting to hear from charity workers about how Royal patronage brings awareness of their charities, however small, and increased funds to help the disadvantaged around the world.
A worker from the little-known Myna Mahila Foundation, who was invited to the wedding, was very pleased that the couple had chosen their charity to benefit and that the publicity will help their charity in the future.

As for selling off the Crown Jewels to fund services - well, once it's gone, it's gone as they say.
Hospitals, roads, schools etc should be properly funded from taxation anyway, not by charity.

Granny23, if you become queen you can’t sell Balmoral, privately owned ?

Granny23, the last Prince of Wales was murdered
I was rather by that statement Anniebach, then realised who you meant

Great response Grany23. I posed the question in general terms really just meaning I suppose elected Head of State or non-elected, political or a-political. I thought the recent royal weddings showed the Queen as Head of State and the royal family, pageantry and “show” in a positive light, benefit to tourism and so on. It is a big subject but I wanted to keep it simple (although it is not really) and appreciate all the answers and views because they are so wideranging, a mixture of serious, fun and a bit cross sometimes. Isn’t that what an interesting discussion should be? There would be no point in asking the question if we all thought the same - in fact some people might even vary their answer depending on current events. Vive la difference!