[Garfie]

Originally Posted by Maru

In or near the DC metro area alone, the massive amounts of overemployment/federally contracted individuals—much of which are military-related—govt property—nor cultural or historical— and other "mixed interests", all to keep up the appearances of a "functional" govt. Even just what we pay to enable worldwide use of a perpetually overactive military here in the States more than overshadows what y'all pay into the system for the Monarchy. Something to consider...

At least the residents of the UK get an ROI in generally positive presentations across the world in some form. Our overspending doesn't even give us that credibility. I'd much rather pay to promote our history, rather than an endless stockpile of bombs, planes and misc equipment to go to countries where most people here can't even find it on a map... and that doesn't even include the other crap we fund...

I would say the Monarchy pays for itself in PR alone. Even if I don't "see the point" to a Monarchy in my own country, I see what it offers the UK in terms of traditions shared via a national identity. It's a cheaper way to do it than what the US has been doing over the past decade or so. Shared identity is very important, especially in nations that are multicultural in origin...

Great to read your post, as always, Maru, because you always make interesting and thought-provoking points.
Until the Queen’s death I always thought I could give all take the monarchy, but suddenly we lost someone and something that had been ever-present, and I personally experienced feelings of great insecurity and uncertainty. I felt as if I was on a little dinghy in the expanse of an ocean, without any land in sight. That opened up my mind to the sense of stability, strength and safety the presence of the monarchy gave me, as it is so deeply rooted in the history, traditions and culture of our country. It was then I realised that I needed it there as a continuing presence.

I also felt so very proud of the British people and how we responded as a country. We came together and were united as one entity. As a country, it allowed us to show the best of ourselves, our values and our characteristics as people.
In addition, it was so amazing and so very touching to see the impact that the Queen’s passing had around the world, and in countries that I would never have expected our monarchy to have any relevance, importance or respect. It felt global, and as if the world had also come together because of something so very British.

I will never forget President Macron saying something like ‘ To the British people, she was their Queen, but to the world she was the Queen’. It was one of many beautiful things said that stays with me and still makes me emotional even now. As a result I had to ask myself how could we, as a country, fail to see the value of our Royal Family?

I love Charles as a King, as he is so connected to the people, and demonstrates warmth, strength, affection and appreciation where ever he goes. I think he is wonderfully in touch with his emotions and his people.. I admire his values too, and can now recognise how far ahead of his time his thinking has always been. I see him almost as the Father of our country, and he has brought back that feeling of safety and security I thought was lost.