Its our History and while its true hoards of Tourists do flock to Buckingham Palace and other Royal residences but will never see a member of the Royal Family, they still hope they may just get a glimpse.

I would not like the UK to become a Republic and have a President,no thank you. Our Monarchy has survived when most others have fallen but the full power of the Monarch we have was taken away over history and I think that because the ruling Monarch does not make decisions of policy etc then that is why its still held in greater esteem in the UK.

Its a symbol of stability and continuity to the majority of the UKs population and long may it remain so.

I think its just something that's just there, no need to get rid of it. Anyway it does help tourism

For one the UK wouldn't be called the UK without a monarch.

I think you could still be called a "Kingdom" without actually being a Kingdom. If Greenland can call itself Green (when it's covered in ice) and the Democratic Republic of North Korea can call itself Democratic, I think the UK can call itself a Kingdom without fuss.

Not just "a" kingdom but "the" United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ..... ;)

Just like the ironically named "United States of America":laugh:

It's not just about going to Buckingham Palace. The Royal Family host lots of foreign heads of state and leaders of trade and industry. They bring in much more money than they cost us.

Greenland has been called Greenland since the 10th Century.

Legend has it it was named Greenland by Eric the Red so as to entice settlers to move there.

Incidentally the southern half of Greenland does have lots of green vegetation during the summer.

I don't know if I understand what you're getting at. Is the US not united?

I've been going back and forth on whether I should show the following video. I guess it may give some insight into how some American's perceive the queen and royalty in general (it's not pretty). Radio host hothead Alex Jones rips the queen a new one and I'm not sure how much of this he seriously believes. It's gonna offend some people but I personally think it's funny. :colour:

I think some of his comments are rather unnecessary regardless of his opinion on Monarchy. To say that the Queen is piece of trash is just stupid, disrespectul and silly.

It's just a bunch of "states" on the same sub-continent - sparsely inhabited, self-governing "kingdoms", for the most part, with vast natural resources, arbitrarily separated on a map, but bound together by self-interest, just like the (old) USSR ..... if "self-determination" takes hold in the U.S, the states will not be so "united" ..... ;)

Thought it might go over your head:rolleyes:

We should get rid of both parliament and monarchy. The whole system we have currently is pathetic.

Instead we should have system where there is a democratically elected king.

They serve for one year.

Each year any member of the public can put themselves forward, write manifesto and campaign. Then the public vote.

This system much more democratic and the country will be in a much better state of affairs.

The people will have complete control.

Oh dear, I doubt anyone could be offended by such childish and immature attempts at satire and humour, particularly from Americans from who we routinely expect such vulgarity and blatant envy (yes, Envy). I just felt embarrassed for Alex Jones as he cringingly displays his total ignorance about our monarchy and constitution. Aww, but YOU think he's funny! Bless:pat: Can't begrudge you that at all since Americans have been a laughing stock to us Brits for decades:hugesmile:

Mr Jones could use some lessons on how to be funny without making himself look like a complete tool. I suggest he watch Spitting Image and Jeanette Charles, effortless hilarity, without the need to be gratuitously vulgar and rude under the guise of "humour".

It's not me. I was patiently waiting out my ban. i swear.



Anyways, in terms of this topic. My only explaination for the love of the monarchy is the same reason why Americans love/loathe paris hilton and the kardashians.

We love celebrities! well, more accurately, we love to hate celebrities!

The royal family are just kind of the built in celebrities of the UK. Just like Paris Hilton, or The Kennedy family, or the Kardashians.

The Windsors are the Hiltons of the British Isles.

Err no. Because Paris Hilton does bugger all in her life whilst Prince Harry and William are doing something useful and training in the RAF.

Riiight, cause we all know Harry and Wiliam's experience in the military is EXACTLY like that of any other recruit, right??? if you believe that, then you're even dumber than you look.

Look up the word "propaganda" in the Oxford dictionary plzzz.

You don't even know what I look like! All I know is that Prince Harry and William have done a lot more good and useful things than the sight of talentless Kardishans and Paris Hilton.....

okay, but do they deserve their wealth any more than paris hilton or the kardashians?

no.

Probably not but it doesn't matter how much money you have.. it's what you do!

Although I agree that EVERY rich person who earns more than a certain sum of money should be taxed more.

Well i agree with you on that.

The more you have received, the more you owe. I certainly agree with that.

Yeah. I know that there are a few rich people who have worked hard for their millions.... but still think they should pay more tax. Especially bloody footballers!!

I also think Inheritance tax should be scrapped though. Like when you die.. then your money is given to someone and that money is also taxed on?? Ridiculous when you have paid for taxes all your life!

To compare the Queen to utter scum like the Kardashians and Paris Hilton is just stupid, unless I missed that TV show where the Queen went around shouting in a loud annoying accent about pointless ****

They're both ignorant shock jocks that are caught up their own arses. Everything that say translates to 'Look at me! i'm saying something shocking! Pay me attention because I want to be Howard stern!'

The only offensive thing about that video is their stupidity.