King Charles III

Grany I do wish you’d say it’s in your opinion. As someone pointed out, saying all Scots loved the Queen, it’s only an opinion, even supported by figures raised by a small consultation, not a fact.

I think it sits at the apex though. Of course it couldn’t do that without the compliance of the ruling class and elite. And yes reform of the HoLs would be a start.

The balance between the executive and legislative needs altering as well. But maybe this has really only been a major issue over the recent governments.

Oh dear, a big error of judgement
Another error imo is allowing Andrew to wear military uniform for todays commemorative walk but refusing to allow Prince Harry to do the same

UK authorities protected Prince Andrew from US Epstein investigation, book says
Geoffrey Berman, ex-prosecutor who led investigation in New York, claims team was given ‘run-around’ over bid to talk to duke.

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/13/prince-andrew-epstein-sexual-abuse-investigation?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_b-gdnnews&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1663103119

Grany

Charles III has appointed Prince Andrew as a Counsellor of State who might act in his place despite his obvious inappropriateness for such office. It seems that Charles is intent on undermining the monarchy with everything he does.

Twitter

I have to agree with you Grany. My first reaction on seeing that yesterday was 'What an utterly stupid thing to do'.

But do make it clear, he would be one of five Counsellors of State.

My biggest problem that I have is the fact that it perpetuates the class ridden hierarchical system.

I'm not so sure that the monarchy does that all on its own, Wwmk2. I think that some of the public has a hand in it too. Look at their deference to wealth and public school education and their scorn for 'common' people who rise through the political hierarchy. Also the reverence for 'wealth'.

I think that reforming the House of Lords could be helpful in doing away with some of this.

And curbing some Executive powers...

Callistemon21

^According to Paul Burrows^
The fount of all knowledge, Annie!
???

They should have asked him to set up the table for the signing.

Then he could have written a book telling us all how to do it!

Charles III has appointed Prince Andrew as a Counsellor of State who might act in his place despite his obvious inappropriateness for such office. It seems that Charles is intent on undermining the monarchy with everything he does.

Twitter

Budge up WW
Although I tend to hop from one side of the fence to the other.
The arguments are all so compelling, aren’t they?
I’m actually a bit like this in all of my dealings.
It’s the blessing of an open mind I suppose

I’m one of I’m sure thousands of us who is actually sitting on the fence between a republic/monarchy.

I could say my heart says monarchy and head republic, but for me it isn’t that straightforward.

My biggest problem that I have is the fact that it perpetuates the class ridden hierarchical system.
But I strongly like the fact that it is (in theory at least) politically neutral. I actually don’t have too much problem with the it being an apparent un-democratic institution, because they are there by consent - and I can quite see the possibility of removing them if consent is ever withdrawn by the population.

So here I am sitting firmly on the fence

ReadyMeals

It's Burrell actually but I think that's who was meant.

Yes

Annie knows exactly who PB is

According to Paul Burrows
The fount of all knowledge, Annie!
???

It's Burrell actually but I think that's who was meant.

Anniebach

Who is Paul Burrows ?

Princess Diana's butler, who referred to himself as "her rock" after she died. We don't know what she actually thought of him but he has been her self-appointed spokesman ever since. And as part of that role he has of course made sure that Charles is to blame for anything that went wrong in Diana's life. Ignore him, IMHO.

Annie

Who is Paul Burrows ?

Last week, the final act of the UK’s unelected head of state was to appoint a Prime Minister who has come to power with the votes of 0.12% of the population. A Head of Government chosen by a tiny number of Tory party members, and a Head of State anointed by an unaccountable ‘Accession Council’, to which our MPs and representatives are subordinate.

The death of Elizabeth II means the automatic appointment, with no discussion or reflection on our future, of a King manifestly unfit to represent the modern peoples of these islands. Charles is unelected, and unelectable. He would never have been chosen in a democratic system.

Never has it been more clear that the rotten structures of the British state are unfit for purpose in the 21st century.

From Bellacaledonia

Parsley3

I agree WWM. Why he running himself and Camilla ragged like this? It makes no sense unless rules is rules and he is unable to change protocol for fear of criticism.

I agree.

Perhaps he will change the protocols quietly when all this is over.

paddyann54

We've probably all got Royal blood from some ancestor somewhere in the dim and distant past.
Someone in my family tree traced us back to King David
(With a bit of imagination along the way.)

I agree WWM. Why he running himself and Camilla ragged like this? It makes no sense unless rules is rules and he is unable to change protocol for fear of criticism.

I don't see why they couldn't have done all the mourning and funeral stuff first, and then the ceremonials of new-king stuff after all that was over. Legally he was king as soon as the accession council signed him in. The rest was pure ceremony and could have waited a fortnight surely.

He is not coming across well at these signings is he?
According to Paul Burrows
"He is very attached to his privilege and was known as the " Pampered Prince" by his staff and was as demanding and difficult as Princess Margaret. If anything moves out of his reach, a lackey is summoned from another room to retrieve it for him. "
Maybe his staff are up to a bit of sabotage?

Whitewavemark2 and apparently he was very badly bullied at school, and that can leave people with anger issues. So bearing in mind they are already fairly elderly, grieving, tired, etc, so far I think they've both been doing as well as anyone could in their shoes.

Casdon, the voice of reason again

Interesting regional breakdown.