This isn't something I'd currently suggest any political party makes as a stated aim, by the way, but if sentiments follow the predicted direction of travel, then perhaps. We certainly need to get out of the attitude where it's political suicide to suggest republicanism, that's as crazy as the way it is political suicide for American politicians to publically admit atheism.

And yet all the more important issues have been muted and pushed the side for the best part of two weeks purely so that we can have this grief circus we have currently. How exactly are all these issues being tackled right now? How is having the Monarchy helping at all?

 

I don’t mind people supporting the Monarchy but it’s the idea that we all should that gets to me. Perhaps it’s down to growing up in a devolved nation who’s history they’d like to make us forget in favour of this privileged system and their history that makes me dislike it so much. Perhaps it’s because I can see that the current behaviour of many this last is just not normal at a time when people are generally struggling to get by. Whichever, I’m just not happy to carry on just because it’s the way it’s always been.

also in the event of dismantlement at least a good portion of what they own should return to the people, considering they've been getting away with not paying inheritance tax and any number of legal loopholes specifically for the Crown over the years

If this were to actually happen then I’d be far more inclined for it to happen immediately! As things stand I just don’t believe it would and I’m not sure how legally anyone could enforce it. Although admittedly I’m far from an expert around it.

Oh and Toby I agree that it’s ludicrous that parliament etc has stopped at a time when clearly action needs to be taken to support people in the UK. I also don’t agree with anything critical closing on Monday.

Another point would be that any wealth they would retain, they would have to sustain themselves. From what I understand, a lot of tax payer money has been used to fund royal weddings, funerals, their security etc. and perhaps that could be redistributed to our underfunded public services.

 

However, I guess that would lead to a moral dilemma about what happens to some people employed by the Royal Family. A dilemma, though, that our King doesn’t seem bothered by as he’s making 101 of his staff redundant.

oh for sure, this circus dominating the news cycle can't come to an end soon enough (and parliament need to stop having yet another holiday)

 

If this were to actually happen then I’d be far more inclined for it to happen immediately! As things stand I just don’t believe it would and I’m not sure how legally anyone could enforce it. Although admittedly I’m far from an expert around it.

 

Considering dismantling the monarchy would involve pretty much completely changing our constitution, I think in that system what's legal would generally go out of the window and that would come up to however the country chooses to present the 'republicanism white paper' as it were. I think it's far less likely that the family personally would get to keep everything, because there's already a distinction between their Privy Purse and the Crown Estate that they don't personally control and I'm almost certain in the event of republicanism the latter would return to the state.

Another point would be that any wealth they would retain, they would have to sustain themselves. From what I understand, a lot of tax payer money has been used to fund royal weddings, funerals, their security etc. and perhaps that could be redistributed to our underfunded public services.

 

However, I guess that would lead to a moral dilemma about what happens to some people employed by the Royal Family. A dilemma, though, that our King doesn’t seem bothered by as he’s making 101 of his staff redundant.

 

One of the more promising things about Charles has actually been his proposals for a slimmer monarchy, and I suppose redundancies are part of that, even if it's not good for people personally involved. A grandiose monarchy will employ a lot of people, but a slimmer one spends less public money.

 

In any case, a slimmer monarchy is both more palatable to people right now and makes any abolition somewhat easier.

I agree that the crown estate would pass back to the state, but doesn’t that already operate to create an income for the state?

 

I’m not 100% sure what’s in it but I don’t think it contains many/any of the key residences or public attractions does it?

I agree that the crown estate would pass back to the state, but doesn’t that already operate to create an income for the state?

 

I’m not 100% sure what’s in it but I don’t think it contains many/any of the key residences or public attractions does it?

 

It does but it also helps towards the upkeep of the monarch. And its income is well, that of a private corporations (one that just so happens to be 'taxed' at a very high rate), so anything that it makes money from such as rents is obtaining the wealth that it provides Britain, from its people. It's essentially a singular example of the nationalisation vs privatization dynamic which is very much too far along the privatized side in the UK.

 

It won't contain private residences like Balmoral or Windsor, but I believe most everything else associated with the crown is in it. But whatever the family would keep would depend on the circumstances of the switch.

This chat has got me intrigued… I’ve googled the Tower of London as an example. Google says it is owned by the crown estate but then I can’t see it within the list of assets on the crown estate website.

oh for sure, this circus dominating the news cycle can't come to an end soon enough (and parliament need to stop having yet another holiday)

 

With Liz Truss in charge with a 60 plus majority (or whatever it currently is) No Thanks! Well, apart from emergency cost of living legislation maybe - and even the proposal she has greatly benefits the energy companies and the ultra rich to the detriment of the poorest in society and the planet.

 

Re: Royal family abolition, although I agree that the concept is unfair, the coverage is now beyond tedious and I do agree that people can focus on more than one thing at a time, it seems wrong to spend time and energy on this when we have the Climate emergency, cost of living crisis, full scale assault on minority rights, future for the young people etc etc Especially as our new King might ruffle more than a few feathers with his barely hidden political views unlike his ultra silent predecessor.

Absolutely spot on.

He did indeed and rightly so. I heard described as the most hostility he’s received from the devolved nations this week but not really surprising given his actions and attitude towards the Welsh over the past ten days.

 

There was a massive banner on the Belfast hills declaring ‘we serve only Ireland’ which I’m sure he saw when flying into Belfast city airport!

I haven’t really followed anything about Charles… what has he done to the Welsh?

Imposed a new Prince of Wales on us that we don’t want or need. It didn’t need to be his first act as King but he’s firmly put us in our place.

Oh I see! Is William not a popular choice then? Or is it more that people would rather just not have one at all?

Oh I see! Is William not a popular choice then? Or is it more that people would rather just not have one at all?

 

The last actual Prince of Wales was murdered by the English centuries ago and the Monarchy used the title to mock, degrade and show the Welsh who was boss. It went away for a time but then Charles was gifted the title. I mean, it was obviously going to bestowed upon William at some point but to do it the day after he became King smacked of reminding us of our place. I doubt we’ll see and investiture this time though, there is absolutely no mood for it in Wales.

 

Most Welsh people would rather have no Prince at all. Those days are gone for our nation and it’s salt in the wound to have an English one. Photos of William in all his England rugby gear being shared across social media isn’t exactly helping either.

The last actual Prince of Wales was murdered by the English centuries ago and the Monarchy used the title to mock, degrade and show the Welsh who was boss. It went away for a time but then Charles was gifted the title. I mean, it was obviously going to bestowed upon William at some point but to do it the day after he became King smacked of reminding us of our place. I doubt we’ll see and investiture this time though, there is absolutely no mood for it in Wales.

 

Most Welsh people would rather have no Prince at all. Those days are gone for our nation and it’s salt in the wound to have an English one. Photos of William in all his England rugby gear being shared across social media isn’t exactly helping either.

I remember being forced to watch Charles being made Prince of Wales at school. I didn't realise the title had been in abeyance for some time before that.

I remember being forced to watch Charles being made Prince of Wales at school. I didn't realise the title had been in abeyance for some time before that.

 

I’m not fully sure how long it was gone if I’m honest-perhaps not long. I did only find out recently that despite the demand, Elizabeth II was not made Princess of Wales because of the possibility that George VI would go on to have a son who would have inherited the title over her (and indeed would have become King.)

Since 1301, when the first Prince of Wales (British monarchy) was created there have been 23 holders of the title. Last one before Charles was the late Duke of Windsor who abdicated in order to marry Wallis Simpson.

 

Not a fan of the current Royal Family as such, but I do love reading about British Royal History.

I’m quite shocked by Harry releasing a book detailing quite serious issues within the royal family. I don’t think he has done himself any favours. My family isn’t perfect but I wouldn’t dream of going to a newspaper or writing a book about my experiences. His family life is private and best to keep it that way. He clearly has a lot of issues to go to that extent and I don’t see what it’s going to achieve apart from more harm than good.