Re: Royal wedding
 

Ah, so you just wanted to see who knew them. I learnt a part of them from my father, who only told me the words because he in turn thought they were awful! But presumably those who get goose-bumps on the last night of the proms will do their best to learn them from whatever source.
I too had to learn a grammar school song with Latin chorus!:(

Re: Royal wedding
 

My opinion of the royals hasn't changed since I was a lad in England. They represent celebrity culture. Nothing more. Like most of celebrity culture they are at best silly, at worst obscene. The timing of this wedding probably puts it into the latter category.

Re: Royal wedding
 

I will most probably watch the wedding on the television here in Italy but that is about as patriotic as i get towards the royal family. I am fed up of seeing the run up to it over here, goodness knows what its like in England!!!

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The Royal Wedding is just a big money making machine and apparently everybody benefits. It takes the people's minds off things.
Security will be tightened, so just watch it on TV, if you want to see it at all.

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It's obscene for two people to get married during an economic low point? Damn, better let my friend know - she's getting married next week... :blink:

Re: Royal wedding
 

I was, of course, referring to the parade of priviliged and undeserved wealth.

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It's a real shame to hear that some of you do not care: It's "our" heritage it's where we are from, it's what our parents and grandparents fought for, The Royal Family is a big part of the UK and they IMO are what have put the GREAT into GREAT BRITAIN;

You may think that reading this I am a big fan if the Royals...well I am not, but on occasions like this, when things are down and because of the wedding "LOTS" of people will be making money and in a slight way I think that this will boost the economy.

I for one will have my St George cross out and BE PROUD of where I am from and what I am..

PS: if it was not for the empire that taught a third of the world to speak english half of us would not be here teaching the worlds number 1 language

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I'm not sure 'shame' is the appropriate word. It's just difference of opinion, and that's fine. The reality is what it is- that wedding will take place. Personally, I would argue that men fought the war in defence of democracy and the royals are the antithesis of that. (Also though I happened to be born in England my parents were Irish and I choose to live in Italy).

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:)Thank you Mr. Posh - I'm with you. Not ashamed to say I'm an ardent Royalist even after having lived in Italy for most of the past 50 years. And British to the core and proud of it, even though integrated 100% into Italian life. Nor am I ashamed to admit that your Utube things brought tears to my eyes.
Many Italians would love to have a Royal Family to make the ideas of 'Italy' and 'Italian' mean something significant. Of course that possibility was taken away from them with the Communist rigged referendum of 1946.
I will be watching the wedding if it's on TV somewhere.:D
ciao for now,
'o nonno

Re: Royal wedding
 

and there was me thinking our ancestors fought for us to be free to have differences of opinion and to be able to believe and think what we like in a free society.... there used to be ideas about Britain becoming a meritocracy once-upon-a-time too......

I am extremely proud to be English. But I don't feel the need to go on about it. It speaks for itself.

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O nonno, we've had this contrast before - I still find it surprising you think most Italians would like a royal family. We must move in very, very different circles! :) (Also, there's no reason ANYONE should be 'ashamed' of being a royalist).

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I'm proud to be British, but I don't give a toss about the royal family and wedding. However, I know the lyrics to Land of Hope and Glory.

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Been in Italy for 50 years? A long time, but it takes you back to about 1960, so you wouldn't have any first-hand evidence about the 1946 referendum being rigged. The Italians wanted to rid themselves of anything to do with fascism, with which the monarchy was heavily involved. Why they should want to do away with fascism but cling to the monarchy would be difficult to imagine. I've heard this before, about the referendum being rigged, but only from one or two people; if you believe it, it's your personal choice. It's not my experience that Italians would like to have a royal family! And have you seen the idiot prince Emanuele Filiberto, with his inane appearances on TV?

Proud of being British? Well, as my being British is an accident of birth, I can hardly claim credit for it, to feel either proud or ashamed.

I add my voice to those who have explained that British soldiers fought the Nazis, not to defend the Royal Family (who would have got out long before Hitler managed to overrun the country), but because they saw Nazism as a threat to the democratic rights they had won over the decades and centuries.

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:)Ciao Anderson and Jonwel; in some things I'll admit to being well out of the loop, because I tend to sit in squares, rather than move in circles. Agree with your views on that pillock Emanuele Filiberto, and don't the gawping masses love him! More evidence that lots of people would really love a Royal Family. It is an historical fact that the Monarchist vote was lost only because in most Southern cities, several recounts had to take place to get the Republican figures required to win.
ciao for now,
'o nonno

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Hmmm, in the south the Monarchist won. It was in the north that voted Republicans. Not all regions voted i.e AltoAdige or FriuliVeneziaGulia and illiteracy was common.
Ran into the pillock last week near Turin. No one, NO ONE was out gawping. There was just me, my shopping, a few passing people - and a tv crew.:D Never heard anyone say the would like a monarchy, but then, it has never occured to us to even discuss it.