My wife’s niece went to Will and Kate’s wedding and said the party after the reception was great. When they’re not on show the younger royals are actually capable of acting like normal people.
My wife’s niece went to Will and Kate’s wedding and said the party after the reception was great. When they’re not on show the younger royals are actually capable of acting like normal people.
I wish Meghan and Harry a long and happy life together, blessed with the joy of children and surrounded by love. The same as I would wish any couple. I also love the pomp and ceremony that in my opinion the Brits do better than any nation on earth.
But you sum up in one sentence why I am totally and utterly anti-royal (not anti the actual people, they can't help it). They are NORMAL people - they are conceived, born, and die the same as all of us. They are not another species and the terms 'normal' and 'ordinary' used to describe non-royals makes my blood boil. And no, that is not envy!
The only reason they are 'royal' is because at some point in their ancestry someone stole land and then won a war defending it. How can that lead to someone being the Head of State and seemingly above the 'normal' people. I believe in a meritocracy - where everyone starts equal and everyone earns respect rather than commands it.
Must go and do a proper sightseeing visit to Windsor!
I watched in from Saudi. Am home next week for a few weeks and watching this caused me to book a weekend in Windsor in one of the hotels overlooking the castle. Going to do the castle and St.George's chapel, the history is just mind blowing. As they walked down the aisle yesterday they walked over the crypt of Henry VIII, Jane Seymour and Charles I. I find that kind of stuff pretty incredible. Shall also pop into the Church of St John the Baptist WIndsor. One of my favourite non-Charlton players is laid to rest there, David 'Rocky' Rocastle.
According to the Telegraph as many as 1.9 billion people watched the Royal Wedding yesterday. Britain shown at its best to so many people will be a massive boost to our tourism industry. The Royal Family and all the ceremonials that go with them, play a massive part in attracting people to this country. Windsor looked stunning yesterday and many people will want to visit.
I am very proud of our Royal Family and the traditions of Britain We are the envy of so many people across the world in the way that we do these occasions.
According to the Telegraph as many as 1.9 billion people watched the Royal Wedding yesterday. Britain shown at its best to so many people will be a massive boost to our tourism industry. The Royal Family and all the ceremonials that go with them, play a massive part in attracting people to this country. Windsor looked stunning yesterday and many people will want to visit.
I am very proud of our Royal Family and the traditions of Britain We are the envy of so many people across the world in the way that we do these occasions.
For £30 million to be viewed by 1.9 billion people, for the way the whole day looked, I would say that is a bargain for Britain. Thank god the weather was good though! Made a huge difference.
I'd dispute those figures...but then I caught maybe twenty seconds of it over the vendor's shoulder at the Lewisham Station food and drinks kiosk as I waited for my panini. If anyone came within visual range of a public screen yesterday they probably saw it
caught the first bit up to their vows then had to pop out.....thought it was superb. Very regal & majestic. Weather great too. Nobody does pomp better than us brits. Makes you proud.
GA. Could we please restrict the use of the ubiquitous 'PWR' to Post Match threads only! I thank you.
According to the Telegraph as many as 1.9 billion people watched the Royal Wedding yesterday. Britain shown at its best to so many people will be a massive boost to our tourism industry. The Royal Family and all the ceremonials that go with them, play a massive part in attracting people to this country. Windsor looked stunning yesterday and many people will want to visit.
I am very proud of our Royal Family and the traditions of Britain We are the envy of so many people across the world in the way that we do these occasions.
I don't necessarily disagree with this to an extent - but I do wonder if it is the royal family that tourists are attracted by or is it the landmarks? I take the point that occasions such as yesterday was an advertisement for those landmarks but other countries without an active monarchy still attract tourists - and these occasions are not exactly common are they? An average of what, once a decade?
I'd want to go see the tower of London or Buckingham Palace even without the royal family, much in the same way I don't need a French monarchy to want to see the Eiffel tower, an American one to see the empire state building or an Egyptian one to see the pyramids.
I don't particularly have a strong opinion regarding the royal family but there is a certain hypocrisy in a democratic country having an unelected head of state (whether it is symbolic or not) in this day and age.
Having read through this thread and enjoying the posts, it's been really interesting to see the differing views and opinions on the Royals. Yes, there has been some antagonism within, but also genuine varying views on the worth of the Royal Family. In the main though, it's been so refreshing to read the positivity surrounding the Royals' and the value of yesterday's events.
I served 28 years in the RAF, and although it isn't necessarily inherent amongst armed forces personnel, that makes me a royalist.
I was lucky honoured to have been selected to serve on 'The Queen's Flight' at RAF Benson (92-95) when it was an autonomous 'unit' and my specific role meant that I was fortunate enough to spend my time flying around the world with members of the Royal Family. Yes, at 30,000ft and whilst away from prying lenses, they are quite 'normal' (@jamesseed) and conversational. I remember being utterly distraught waking up to that awful news on 31st August 1997.
I served in the Falklands in 2012 when 'Flt Lt' (William) Wales undertook his 6 week tour of duty as a Search and Resue pilot there. I was heavily involved with his protection team both pre and during his tour of duty. I left (through choice) the RAF in 2013.
I watched yesterday's events with no small amount of pride and it brought my days of service back to me. For me, from a purely personal perspective, it simply reinforced how bloody brilliant our Royal Family is.
Friend of mine was actually at the event said the reception after was a bowl type meal and something was wrong with the Canopies apparently here's a mad rush for the shitters from guests who had the Cadbury squirts from them. I am getting someone in the royal kitchen will be looking for a new job this week.
The main advantage of an emasculated figurehead Royal structure seem to be that the Monarch is the head of the judiciary and the armed forces...and the C of E for what that is worth. The consequence seems to be that a political leader/possible dictator can't control the Courts and the Army, and a Monarch acting autonomously would probably not be able to control those organs of the state simply by operating the 'off with their head' manoeuvre. The civil list I understand is paid to the Royal for being just that...civil. They ought to be nice to guests and the home population to make an agreeable impression of the UK, or they ought not to get so much free money. Giving gongs, opening stuff and visiting places is their area of expertise and they share that knowledge amongst themselves to good effect. As a belligerent student we were visited by Princess Alexandra and of course she picked on me to ask about an aspect of my work and she was charm personified. What is great about this or any country goes much further than state figureheads and ceremony. The UK is indeed fortunate that the Queen is so good at being the figurehead, I can't imagine Charles being so winning but maybe he will be.
Another point overlooked is that they are beyond corruption as they have no need to involve themselves in any shady deals or such like. Just take a look around the world at the corruption taking place on a daily basis by dodgy ‘elected’ presidents and heads of state, but due to their wealth at least we don’t have to bother with that scenario.
Another point overlooked is that they are beyond corruption as they have no need to involve themselves in any shady deals or such like. Just take a look around the world at the corruption taking place on a daily basis by dodgy ‘elected’ presidents and heads of state, but due to their wealth at least we don’t have to bother with that scenario.
Prince Andrew and Kazakhstan / Gaddafi’ son / gun smuggler Tarek Kaitun / Jeffrey Epstein / money-launderer Sakher al-Materi, etc?
Andrew aside can you think of anyone else? He’s a rat and has been significantly side lined and distanced for years. Was it ever proved that he had much (if any) financial gain from his rather blatant and pathetic efforts.....I’m not sure he did.
According to the Telegraph as many as 1.9 billion people watched the Royal Wedding yesterday. Britain shown at its best to so many people will be a massive boost to our tourism industry. The Royal Family and all the ceremonials that go with them, play a massive part in attracting people to this country. Windsor looked stunning yesterday and many people will want to visit.
I am very proud of our Royal Family and the traditions of Britain We are the envy of so many people across the world in the way that we do these occasions.
I don't necessarily disagree with this to an extent - but I do wonder if it is the royal family that tourists are attracted by or is it the landmarks? I take the point that occasions such as yesterday was an advertisement for those landmarks but other countries without an active monarchy still attract tourists - and these occasions are not exactly common are they? An average of what, once a decade?
I'd want to go see the tower of London or Buckingham Palace even without the royal family, much in the same way I don't need a French monarchy to want to see the Eiffel tower, an American one to see the empire state building or an Egyptian one to see the pyramids.
I don't particularly have a strong opinion regarding the royal family but there is a certain hypocrisy in a democratic country having an unelected head of state (whether it is symbolic or not) in this day and age.
The landmarks do mean more because they are used by a current Royal family, and it's not just the buildings, it's the traditions and pageantry that people love to watch.
Having an unelected head of state is indeed an anachronism, but it pleases me if it slightly tempers the ego of our elected politicians, that the armed forces are there to serve the Queen and not the then current PM.
I'd dispute those figures...but then I caught maybe twenty seconds of it over the vendor's shoulder at the Lewisham Station food and drinks kiosk as I waited for my panini. If anyone came within visual range of a public screen yesterday they probably saw it
Nobody would expect anything less.
What a day and spectacle it was. Some of the daft over reactions on here from those not interested is a thing of beauty.
Was thinking last night about world exposure, bar the US President inauguration, what other regular non-sporting, non-entertainment world events around the globe attract such a sizeable world audience outside of our royal events (weddings, jubilee etc)?
Was thinking last night about world exposure, bar the US President inauguration, what other regular non-sporting, non-entertainment world events around the globe attract such a sizeable world audience outside of our royal events (weddings, jubilee etc)?
Was thinking last night about world exposure, bar the US President inauguration, what other regular non-sporting, non-entertainment world events around the globe attract such a sizeable world audience outside of our royal events (weddings, jubilee etc)?
Outside of sport and the Oscars I don't think there is really? One off stuff like the OJ Simpson/Michael Jackson trials spring to mind but they aren't exactly regular occurances... Pope visits maybe??
Comments
But you sum up in one sentence why I am totally and utterly anti-royal (not anti the actual people, they can't help it). They are NORMAL people - they are conceived, born, and die the same as all of us. They are not another species and the terms 'normal' and 'ordinary' used to describe non-royals makes my blood boil. And no, that is not envy!
The only reason they are 'royal' is because at some point in their ancestry someone stole land and then won a war defending it. How can that lead to someone being the Head of State and seemingly above the 'normal' people. I believe in a meritocracy - where everyone starts equal and everyone earns respect rather than commands it.
It's all bollocks.
I am very proud of our Royal Family and the traditions of Britain We are the envy of so many people across the world in the way that we do these occasions.
I'd want to go see the tower of London or Buckingham Palace even without the royal family, much in the same way I don't need a French monarchy to want to see the Eiffel tower, an American one to see the empire state building or an Egyptian one to see the pyramids.
I don't particularly have a strong opinion regarding the royal family but there is a certain hypocrisy in a democratic country having an unelected head of state (whether it is symbolic or not) in this day and age.
I served 28 years in the RAF, and although it isn't necessarily inherent amongst armed forces personnel, that makes me a royalist.
I was
luckyhonoured to have been selected to serve on 'The Queen's Flight' at RAF Benson (92-95) when it was an autonomous 'unit' and my specific role meant that I was fortunate enough to spend my time flying around the world with members of the Royal Family. Yes, at 30,000ft and whilst away from prying lenses, they are quite 'normal' (@jamesseed) and conversational. I remember being utterly distraught waking up to that awful news on 31st August 1997.I served in the Falklands in 2012 when 'Flt Lt' (William) Wales undertook his 6 week tour of duty as a Search and Resue pilot there. I was heavily involved with his protection team both pre and during his tour of duty. I left (through choice) the RAF in 2013.
I watched yesterday's events with no small amount of pride and it brought my days of service back to me. For me, from a purely personal perspective, it simply reinforced how bloody brilliant our Royal Family is.
The consequence seems to be that a political leader/possible dictator can't control the Courts and the Army, and a Monarch acting autonomously would probably not be able to control those organs of the state simply by operating the 'off with their head' manoeuvre.
The civil list I understand is paid to the Royal for being just that...civil. They ought to be nice to guests and the home population to make an agreeable impression of the UK, or they ought not to get so much free money.
Giving gongs, opening stuff and visiting places is their area of expertise and they share that knowledge amongst themselves to good effect. As a belligerent student we were visited by Princess Alexandra and of course she picked on me to ask about an aspect of my work and she was charm personified.
What is great about this or any country goes much further than state figureheads and ceremony. The UK is indeed fortunate that the Queen is so good at being the figurehead, I can't imagine Charles being so winning but maybe he will be.
Just take a look around the world at the corruption taking place on a daily basis by dodgy ‘elected’ presidents and heads of state, but due to their wealth at least we don’t have to bother with that scenario.
He’s a rat and has been significantly side lined and distanced for years.
Was it ever proved that he had much (if any) financial gain from his rather blatant and pathetic efforts.....I’m not sure he did.
Good luck to the pair of them, they will need it.
Having an unelected head of state is indeed an anachronism, but it pleases me if it slightly tempers the ego of our elected politicians, that the armed forces are there to serve the Queen and not the then current PM.
What a day and spectacle it was. Some of the daft over reactions on here from those not interested is a thing of beauty.