Why does the UK still have a monarch?
 

As someone who lives outside of the UK, I would like to know why the UK still has a monarch. If I was to guess the answer to my own question I think it would be something like "the UK has always had a monarch. It's tradition and it would be strange if it didn't have one" or something like that. But this is the 21st century and especially with our economies suffering I wonder why the British people overwelmingly seem to put up with supporting the lavish lifestyles of this super-wealthy family through their taxes.

They don't :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch...ngdom#Finances

The Royals do the business when it comes to Tourism, there's a lot of international interest in them. You've also got the whole tradition aspect although there's quite a lot of opposition to them, they're very divisive among the public.

I'm personally not that fussed either way.

I reckon most British people now see them more as some oddball entertainment institution more than anything else. Like Reality TV stars. Highly paid ones.

Well I think it's partly down to tradition, but also because it's economically beneficial with the money they bring in through tourism. I think most of the population are just indifferent towards them now, few are avidly opposed or in support of the Monarchy

So some people think the tourism helps but the people who go to Buckingham Palace don't get to see the Queen personally so that's not the reason they go there.

Where you from, America?

It's a big part of it, there are certain tourist attractions which only exist because of the Royal Family, the Changing of the Guard being the most obvious one

Are you an American? Isnt there a huge interest in the Royal Family over there? There certainly is in a lot of European countries, especially Germany

Alex is lost :wink:.

Don't forget Windsor Castle ..... ;)

Yeah was gonna ask if it was a relation :joker:

Why in the 21st century, with selective breeding, gene screening, easy abortions etc does America still produce so many wuckfits?

'$200m-a-day' cost of Barack Obama's trip to India to be picked up by U.S. taxpayers
 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...taxpayers.html

Sort of puts the Queen's "petty cash" into perspective, doesn't it ?

;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty..._United_States

Ironic, huh ..... :rolleyes:

I suppose there is a casual interest in the Queen to some people in the US but I don't think it's a lot. I'm pretty sure at least 95% of the people who visit the UK from the US do it for other reasons. Interesting that you said there's a lot of interest in the Royals from the Germans because the Royal Family have their roots in Germany.

Conversely, tourists visit Washington DC to 'go' to the Whitehouse, take the tour....... I wonder why they bother doing that? Hardly as if Obama is going to ask them to join him for a morning bagel? Yep, no reason for any person to go visit the Whitehouse either eh...but still they do.

Completely off topic, but can anyone confirm where the word 'dumb' originated?

http://www.mondofacto.com/facts/dictionary?dumb

lol. Thanks but not really needed!

I was being facetious. Since some appear to be more 'lost' than others. ;)

I have no issue with the Royal Family, they are part of our British traditional culture, and since we seem to be losing a lot of our identity in other areas, I'm actually glad we still have them here.

I don't know it's something they like to show off, I very rarely agree with you 'Liberty4Eva' when it comes to Big Brother.

But I agree here, it's Silly.
It's not as if The Queen does anything.

Pat Butcher is more useful to The United Kingdom.

And you would know that how?

http://www.royal.gov.uk/HMTheQueen/D...orkingday.aspx

Not everyones life revolves around BB, serial dramas and masturbation Patrick.

:laugh2:

:cheer2:

it's quite harmless I suppose. Noone really cares about them - just an excuse for the occasional national holiday and some extra (odd) tourists.

We have a monarch because we still want one. The royal family represent what's left of our traditions and heritage and they contribute as much financially to the economy of this country as they may take from it. It's a symbiotic relationship. Furthermore, the Queen is a taxpayer (since 1993) just like the rest of us. Being an American you can't be expected to understand a country like ours, steeped in history and tradition, seeing as you have so little of your own, most of which is nothing to be proud of as it happens.

Would we want a Presidential style autocracy, with the endemic corruption that entails? Err, no thanks. The British Monarchy is a constitutional monarchy in which the King or Queen reigns as Head of State but with limits to their power, and the day-to-day government is carried out by Parliament. All far more civilised than the unseemly bunfight Americans undertake, where the wealthiest contender with the best connections and most influential backing ends up as President.

I think it's absolutely mental how some people view the royal family as great people who must be respected no matter what, I know that's rare now but there's still a few.

I think it's nice that there is a royal family, it's quite cool, I just don't think they are any more special than any other celebrities