Just curious but how do YOU feel about the Royals? Are they to be done way with (as did the French, no guillotine of course) or does one keep them? Is is right to be born into wealth and privilege and still have a loyal following? If one doesn't like the British monarchy is it the institution itself one doesn't care for? Or is it more so because of those who happen to presently occupy the seats?

I myself have no problem. I am not enamoured by the Royals. They do not affect me. If the Brits want them to stay then so be it.

Would love the UK to ditch the Royals. I don't care for the principle of a royal family and don't care much for the personalities although I concede that Liz II could have been a lot worse.

However I really can't see the UK becoming a republic. they've weathered the storm of Charlie's afair with Camilla and the bad handling of Di's death and their PR machine has improved dramitically. Once Wills and Harry start families and Wills become King they'll be as popular as ever - especially as a large section of the UK public are becoming increasingly celebrity obsessed.

Strange you should say this as I am just watching CNN where the discussion (so far ad nauseam) is on anna nicole smith, that wealthy playmate bimbo celebrity, and all the publicity her corpse has attracted.

So are the Brits any better than the Yanks when it comes to being obsessed with wealthy celebrities?

"God save the queen her fascist regime
It made you a moron a potential h bomb !

God save the queen she aint no human being
There is no future in englands dreaming

Dont be told what you want dont be told what you need
Theres no future no future no future for you"

I think the Sex Pistols had it right all along!

For me the principle of a Royal Family stands for little these days. It's not as if getting rid of them would actually change much.

Being born into privilege is a boon that people have the world over, not just in the UK, and while the fact that some people don't have to work for worldly rewards doesn't fill me with happiness it's not something that can be avoided. If I ever have children I would want them to have more than I do too. 'Rank' and 'Class' have little to do with this argument I think, it's just a label these days.

While the celebrity thing is a good point I can honestly say that doesn't affect my feelings on the matter. In a world where people and cultures are increasingly homogenised I see our Royals as a small but very visible mark of our difference to other countries. A reminder of sorts of the UK's history, which, sad as it is, seems to be the only cultural reference point for many both within and without the British Isles.

Personally, our past, and current, contributions in literature, music, governance, scientific progress, art and up to a certain point, social values make us distinct enough anyway. When the question of a British, or even English identity is raised I would point first at these, but as it stands, the Royals remain a bold, if sometimes grubby catch-all for what we'd like to be about.

So long live the Queen! etc.

I once read that if the Queen didn't exist one would need to invent her.

I can't be sure but I read she brings in lots of tourists, overwhelmingly Yanks, who otherwise wouldn't flock to see Buckingham Palace if she weren't there.

So maybe The Royals have economic value and there is a cost-benefit case to be made? Plus, she hasn't done anything to tarnish the UK's image which is more than can be said of Tony.

My point exactly.

Well said. Despite the fact she wasn't voted in Liz at least seems to feel some kind of responsibility to the people lies with her position.

The present Queen seems to have a responsible attitude to her role, but thats just luck, just think of the people we could have had, and what we have in store.

I agree here. My only criticism, and this one is a mild one, was what happened to Margaret and the pressure she was put under by her sister not to marry Townsend. It certainly screwed up her life. I recall that case. Then again Margaret could have renounced, as did her uncle, but wasn't prepared to do so. I cant be overly critical here as it is hard to give up such a lifestyle.

As for royalty, and I can not be 100% sure of this, King Farouk of Egypt, was reputed to have said that in the end there will only be 5 kings left, the four in the deck of cards and the King of England.

Ya, spot on, they're just a money-sucking soap opera for UK white trash. They provide sad memories of grandeur of days gone by and a lost empire for fading, decrepit old peeps. Like some concept album Roger Waters would write. They should have their own ragtop magazine. Call it 'Royalty' or something like that.

Every year a celebrity royal could be chosen in a public dial-in/email vote, to die in tragic circumstances and the weening public could take a day off work to go weep and wail at the gates of Buck House. Sales of flowers and fluffy teddy bears would boost the UK economy.

Rich.

The Royals don't really bother me. They're a source and target for some excellent humour (like that often posted bit of excerpts from a book of condolences when the Queen Mum died... priceless). And the campus of the uni I attended in England got a nice paint and landscaping job prior to a visit by the Queen. So that was nice.

It's the people who admire them who give me the creeps.

...are you keen on the queen?

Nah...she's a bit old for me.

Well I DO admire the Queen, and believe that the royals bring much to the British economy. For the most part they contribute quite a bit and it sure as heck beats having a president as a figure head. So I guess I give you the creeps too. Oh, but I never did like Diana, who was a manipulating nutter, and the mass hysteria following her death was nauseating. Exit left, head down.....

Maybe just the hee-bee gee-bees.