According to this, and other sources going back to 2007, London is the most visited city in the world. As someone who has worked in high end tourisim and travel, a Royal approval/visit counts for serious kudos with overseas and UK based people alike.
It also says that Paris is the most visited city in the World. Great report that.
The whole republican movement just seems to smack of nothing more than misguided jealousy to me.
That a group of people through birthright have access to rights and privileges that far exceed everyone else? We do labour under the impression that everyone can have a fair crack at being successful, even though the middle classes are camping around the best education establishments that house buying money can get them, forcing the proles out, or politicians and in particular the current cabinet is stuffed full of the privileged few, the monarchy is the symbol of this privilege.
Would anyone rather the Prime Minister was Head of State? Why? The Prime Minister is the elected figurehead with the political power anyway, and it has been so since the end of the Civil War. What's the other alternative? An elected President? That would just be another person being driven around in limousines under heavy security and holding lavish banquets at the nation's cost - but without the merit or respect that a thousand years of history can bestow upon them.
What, you mean someone who we can [u]democratically[/u] elect as our head of state?
Without the Monarchy, we're just even more of a washed-up has been nation that we already are. It is what makes us unique and respected.
Backward more like. We need to grow up and move on.
I think you'll find they do fall over themselves to gain a Royal Warrant, which is hugely respected, especially in the Asian markets.
Well, there you go, then - with all the cash that they could be making from celebrity endorsements, there's no need for them to be sucking on the teat of the state.
ernie_lynch - MemberIf it wasn't for Her Majesty no one would bother coming at all.
They see you trollin, they be hatin. I've been to that london a few times as a tourist and the queen's never had anything to do with any of it. Oh yeah, I hear we had an olympics, I think some people might have come to that too...
with all the cash that they could be making from celebrity endorsements
Her Majesty doesn't issue Royal Warrants for money.
Don't be so vulgar.
President Blair, or King Charles. You choose...
On monarchy, to paraphrase Churchill, it's the worst way of getting a head of state - apart from all the others.
Fundamentally, it's not all that much money.
bencooper - MemberFundamentally, it's not all that much money.
True- but there's no reason it couldn't be less.
Fundamentally, it's not all that much money.
It'll be easy for them to earn it, then.
If the monarchy provides a net value to the UK economy, then it's about time they went fully privatised and the state stopped subsidising them and drew there income from this net value.
To be honest, the financial element is not something I consider important. The unelected nature of the whole situation is the concern for me. Who the * are these inbred nobs, they are not my superiors? Why the * would I ever swear any sort of allegiance to them? (Not that they are the only gripes I have have with the UK democracy)
Never did join the Scouts. To be honest, I would not care if they disappeared overnight. Why would I? They have no more relevance to me than the guy over the road who drives the VW Passat.
Not that it matters, public opinion seems to favour the Monarchy. Although I am curious as to how much is "better the devil you know" support.
Is it really any odder than swearing allegiance to a flag? Really, the whole idea of nationalism is a bit odd when you think about it.
But no, I'd never swear allegiance to them either.
bencooper - MemberIs it really any odder than swearing allegiance to a flag?
No, that's weird too.
