What is a Monarchy for?

[GreiginFife]

Genuine question.
Having watched the country go in to media meltdown over the last 2 days over this baby it has me wondering.
What are the Royal's actually for? I cannot for the life of me understand what they are doing or what their requirement is.

Now, this is a serious question for a serious debate. It is NOT a wind up thread but a question that I would like opinion on.
If you are a Royalist and offended by this do not post, if you are just wanting to wind the forum up do not post. If you cannot keep it civilised and grown-up... well you get the gist.
If we can maybe have one thread regarding something divisive that can be divisive without degenerating in to a farce that would be appreciated.

 

[Dodger]

I'll keep oot of this then shall I?:smirk:

 

[GreiginFife]

I'll keep oot of this then shall I?:smirk:

Probably best...

 

[Iaing]

Nowadays?
They're tourist attractions.

 

[Wenglish]

They bring masses of tourism to the uk.

 

[GreiginFife]

Really? Is it them or the buildings? I can't ever recall encountering anyone that came to see the Queen. Many that have come to see Castles and Palaces.

 

[Wenglish]

The buildings are always there but take a look at the crowds that gather for an event such as coronations, weddings, births etc...

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

The buildings are always there but take a look at the crowds that gather for an event such as coronations, weddings, births etc...

But are they not predominatly UK citizens though??

 

[GreiginFife]

Granted, but why is that? What do they do that creates that.
The reason I ask is that when a question of tradition crops up on a Golf Forum everyone talks about this apparent need to "move with the times" or "it's the 21st century after all" comments. I, personally, don't see where the monarchy fits in to that moving with the times.

 

[Iaing]

Really? Is it them or the buildings? I can't ever recall encountering anyone that came to see the Queen. Many that have come to see Castles and Palaces.

True I suppose.
We are always told that the Monarchy makes money for the country, but I don't remember seeing any figures to back it up.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I find it quite amazing that when asked to defend the monarchy the first thing most folk say is 'they bring in tourists'.

What...........Like Edinburgh Castle, Warwick Castle, Bond Street, Legoland, Blackpool etc.

I think that if that is the NO 1 reply we should get start thinking of an early retirement package.

 

[Snelly]

I am a Royalist and I think it is fantastic that we have a Royal Family in the UK.

In terms of why and what for? The arguments are detailed, complex and I am not about to get into them. However what I would say is that the Firm are figureheads for the nation and help shape our identity and connect us all to our country's history.

In addition, last year, a think tank called Brand Finance produced a report that concluded that the Queen and her relatives are said to bring in £500million a year in extra tourism. That figure was said to be worth £16billion as an “intangible asset in perpetuity”.

In other words, for a cost of 69p per person per year, I think the Crown does enough to justify it's existence.

Long live the Queen!

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

I largely agree with you.
But unlike golf they have at least attempted to drag themselves into the 21st century.
They have become more open, QE II (or I for Doon) now pays tax. They are trying.

 

[Snelly]

My only other point on this thread is a prediction - within 20 posts, this will disintegrate into a Scotland versus the world thread. As usual.

That's the trouble with our porridge gargling brethren from beyond Hadrians Wall. Never happy unless they are moaning....

 

[blackpuddinmonster]

My only other point on this thread is a prediction - within 20 posts, this will disintegrate into a Scotland versus the world thread. As usual.

That's the trouble with our porridge gargling brethren from beyond Hadrians Wall. Never happy unless they are moaning....

Guess you didn't read the OP.

 

[FairwayDodger]

Well... we need somebody to open stuff, launch ships etc.

 

[Iaing]

My only other point on this thread is a prediction - within 20 posts, this will disintegrate into a Scotland versus the world thread. As usual.

That's the trouble with our porridge gargling brethren from beyond Hadrians Wall. Never happy unless they are moaning....

You never know, we might rise above your obvious goading.

 

[Snelly]

You never know, we might rise above your obvious goading.

There's a first time for everything I suppose....

 

[GreiginFife]

Guess you didn't read the OP.

No, he clearly didn't. As per his usual.
But anyway. The "firm" gives us Identity. That's what it is. Case closed.

Ah but seriously, the grown-ups amongst us can press on with a sensible conversation.

BPM, I don't think they have become more open. Yes, they may now pay tax but I think it is pretty much still pretty closed loop in terms of access.
It all seems to come back to history and tradition which was kind of my point about moving on. Who do "we" need to identify ourselves to in the 21st century? Empires have come and gone as part of that "moving on" but we still seem to cling on to relics when it suits IMO.

 

[Snelly]

No, he clearly didn't. As per his usual.

Ah but seriously, the grown-ups amongst us can press on with a sensible conversation.

.

Phew, you really know how to wound with that sardonic wit of yours eh?

I am visibly hurt.....


Back to the thread. I don't know what you are possibly hoping to achieve with such a divisive topic. There won't be any consensus and no-one will change their mind.