Posted on 04/18/2011 3:14:00 PM PDT by TheConservativeCitizen
A WALT DISNEY FAIRY TALE IN A NON-FAIRY TALE WORLD
- The royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is nearly upon us. Cable news channels are ramping up for 24×7 coverage. Brits of all shapes and sizes are busting at the seams, and people around the world who yearn for the days of Princess Diana are coming out of the woodwork like crazy. Why?
Think about it: On April 29, millions upon millions of people the world over will watch the wedding of a woman who is only famous because she is marrying a man who is only famous because he happened to be born into a family that has been declared royal by the British government. And you thought Kate Plus 8 was ridiculous?
While I somewhat understand the delusional fixation the British themselves have with the whole monarchy thing, the celebrity-worshiping obsession that millions of Americans seem to have with this fairy tale escapes me. Given that British Royalty has essentially been ceremonial for the last 400 years or so, the whole thing is a bit bread and circuses, don’t you think?
I mean hey — let’s talk seriously for a minute. Prince Charles (“His Royal Highness, The Prince Charles Philip Arthur George, Prince of Wales,” to be precise) seems like a nice enough chap, but Pee Wee Herman even thinks he’s prissy. Here’s a guy who’s waited around his entire life to become king, only to realize that he may in fact be passed over in favor of his number-one son, Prince William. (who also has a long pompous name) So what does Poor Charles have to show for it? By most accounts, an annual income in excess of $29 million. Not bad for a king in waiting, huh?
So what does the Prince of Wales actually do all day? I mean, what exactly does he do for a living anyway?
According to the Mirror, Charles is a very busy fellow indeed. In addition to 25 or so “royal engagements” per week, (shaking hands and cutting ribbons), he devotes a fair amount of time to his pet causes, which include the environment and organic farming. He seems to visit quite a few factories and businesses and such, where he passes out lots of “well done; carry on.” compliments. (and more handshakes of course) At an event in Halifax, Charles spent so much time shaking hands that the concert band was forced to play God Bless the Prince of Wales three times.
Between jaunts around Britain aboard the Royal Train, or by way of his dark blue Jag, Charles finds time to squeeze in get-aways to former British Colonies for more pomp and circumstance. All things considered, not a bad gig for the money.
For a majority of Brits, (referred to as monarchists), support of the Royal Family is inextricably linked to patriotism. Conversely, a significant portion of the population is becoming increasingly vocal in its opposition to the monarchy, calling it an expensive and unaccountable institution, particularly during weak economic times in an increasingly competitive world.
The bottom line is this: The monarchy costs British taxpayers in excess of $100 million a year; principally for the purpose of allowing the queen’s royal subjects to feel good about themselves and forever bask in the glory of the “good old days” of the British Empire.
Oh, and for all you crazy American monarchists, be sure to visit the official Royal Wedding site. It’s pretty impressive; Cinderella would be jealous.
Bottom line is, though were are loath to admit it, due to our language and history....we’re still an English culture, and their royalty is in a way....our royalty.
Same reason the useless idiots have an obsession with the Kennedys.
Why the Obsession with the British Monarchy?
A: It’s fun to watch inbred Europeans do silly stuff!
Why the obsession? It reminds us of why we kicked England out.
Correct me if I’m wrong-please, but isn’t the whole English monarchy thing predicated on blood? That is a ‘’royals’’ blood is different than a ‘’commoner’s’’ and as such such ‘’blood’’ cannot be mixed? How is this any different than anything the Nazis postulated on when it came to matters of blood and race?
“Our royalty’’ In pigs eye. Friend , you need to go back and re-read American history, particularly the American Revolution. I’ll help you out... we chased this kids ancestors outta here at the point of a gun. “Our royalty’’ my ass.
For those who understand, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.
I won't be tuning in to watch Kate and Wills tie the knot, but that doesn't mean that I don't feel a certain affinity for Britain's royal family, and for their traditions.
For reasons that are a bit hard to express, those institutions are important to me, as is that country. My country's roots are there, and we were once a single people. My own family draws its roots from those islands, so there is a certain long lost kinship I feel with them.
In a nutshell, I'd like to see them endure.
How very crude...
"We are not amused."
Actually 300. Didn't become truly irrelevant to government till 1714, when George I succeeded to the throne.
George III made a serious effort to regain political influence for the Crown, but it didn't take.
They piss off Barrack Hussein Obama. That’s gotta be worth something.
The Crown persists in the UK (and 15 other Commonwealth Realms that have voluntarily kept the shared monarch) for several reasons.
1. The Crown separates patriotism from politics. No British politician has ever been accused of being unpatriotic when they criticize a Prime Minister. Something that often happens in the US.
2. The Prime Minister may be master of the political landscape and have the power to fire nuclear weapons, but authority for that power is vested in the Crown and the Constitution, not in him. He may issue orders but it is still considered “advice” that the Crown is bound to act on.
He must address the Queen and senior members of the royal family as Your Majesty, Your Royal Highness, Ma’am, or Sir. He gets’ a townhouse and a small country retreat, while the Royal Family has multiple palaces. And while the Queen is first in precedence at all state occasions, the Prime Minister comes in 19th. It teaches humility to politicians, who are not noted for their humility.
3. The Crown makes Prime Ministers and cabinet members disposable. Because a President is both Head of State (symbolic leader of the nation) and Head of Government (in charge of running the government). They are very difficult to get rid of when scandal hits. Had Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton been Prime Ministers they would have been dumped in a matter of weeks instead of dragging the issue out for months.
And while a King is difficult to force out, when push comes to shove an unsuitable King has been forced out, twice, in 1688 and 1936.
4. What is now the UK had a republic. Parliament killed King Charles I and established Cromwell as Lord Protector (effectively President-for-Life). England was mired in war and became a military dictatorship until the Restoration. Not a good record.
5. In the UK, most republicans (favoring abolition of the monarchy) are leftists like Cherie Blair, and Tony Benn. Conservatives like Margaret Thatcher support the monarchy.
Some of the females in my family are all a-flutter over this royal wedding. Guess it feeds into their princess fantasies that they grew up with.
Always amazed me, the differences between the sexes. Girls grow up fantasizing about princes that sweep them off their feet while us boys grow up fantasizing about big-bosomed bar girls bearing mugs of frosty beer.
I understand that the monarchy isn’t going anywhere. Its tradition, its the way they roll. So o.k. I’m not really “into” the british monarchy but I have to say that princess Diana was interesting to me. mostly because she was the most attractive person to join that group EVER! and she sure did seem to try and add a little class too. Now her son is marrying someone who will pretty up the gene pool again. Maybe in the next generation or two the monarchy will actually be attractive!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.