The Royal Wedding: Why???

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Thanks for the info guys...can anyone ever decide to just not pay them one year? They must have a net worth or something that would minimize the impact of that somewhat.

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

I don't understand how the "royalty" hasn't been....I don't know, abolished? What's the word?

How do taxpayers not HATE that they pay for these people to live as literal royalty, for nothing in return (other than a figurehead and cause of tons of paparazzi)

I guess the only way that would happen is if the Queen refused Royal Assent; which although she technically could, she'd be going up against the government, who are far more powerful and run the show anyway's. She wouldn't dare take them on, as the only probable outcome would be for Parliament to abolish the Monarchy.

It's a messy and murky World.

Hail.

[zoony]

Honestly z? Wow, never thought I'd hear that about the Princess of Wales. She started off very demure and plain, but blossomed into a strikingly hot woman IMHO.

Just strictly on looks, I never got it. She looked manly to me. Large honker, adam's apple...

Anywho, no reflection on her as a person whatsoever. Don't know much about her but I understand lots of people thought she was great.

[Huly]

Because I grew up watching Disney Princess movies and listening to Snow White Sing:

Some day my prince will come
Some day we'll meet again
And away to his castle we'll go
To be happy forever I know

Some day when spring is here
We'll find our love anew
And the birds will sing
And wedding bells will ring
Some day when my dreams come true

LOL I found my prince but I still think it would be cool to watch a royal wedding to see what it is like etc.

[deejaydana]

I'd take exception to that and say although the streets will be lined for the wedding, which will put out a complete other perception, the reverence the Royal family holds in the hearts of most Britains is diminishing by the year. Your correct that it's a generation thing in terms of older people still having a real pride in them, but by and large their that aloof from the people of the Country that most have little interest in them these days. The Queen's disgraceful treatment of both Diana and the Duchess of York certainly played a big part into that, along with Charles continuing to act an A1 dick totally unbecoming of someone in his position.

Seriously, outside of saving us from a dictator, and bringing in untold bucks in tourism as the face of the Country to foreign visitors, I honestly don't see what purpose the Royals serve in the main in this day and age. And rightly or wrongly, that is becoming far more a common held opinion than not.

Back in '81 I remember great National pride at the last major Royal Wedding, with street parties laden with flags and bunting going on long into the night. There's nothing like that planned around the neighbourhood this time around.

Hail.

Well, of course I agree that the only position that the Royals hold is strictly ceremonial/symbolic (don't discount the national pride that is still attached with and to them). What you'll see is a lesser and lesser part of the population being enthralled with them as time goes by (though this seems to be slow to die out entirely). My point stands however : there simply is no counterpoint in standing in the United States to the Royal family (we can debate if this is good or bad). The closest thing that you'll find (in my mind) is celebrity worship here is the States. People literally camped out at the Oscars a week beforehand to glimpse their favorite film star. That kind of adoration, which may be the same thing with the Royals, will never vanish. People want to believe in heroes or celebs or Royals (and that they're somehow better or diffent than them). I guess that last part answers, in some degree, the OP's question/rant/thread.

[thebluefood]

Personally, I'm glad we don't have that universal adoration of our head of state here in the United States. This is a republic, after all. Our leaders should not only be held to a high standard, but watched carefully and open to criticism (though it should always be respectful). The entire idea of a monarchy troubles me. To think that one could be the head of a nation just by merit of birth.

[PokerPacker]

having not read anything but the OP, I'd say we do have an equivalent: The Kennedy Family.

[england]

what wedding? a lot of people in england are not interested in this rubbish at all and we can have the day off without pay if our employers agree
well guys i'm working and looking forwrd to it

[#98QBKiller]

what wedding? a lot of people in england are not interested in this rubbish at all and we can have the day off without pay if our employers agree
well guys i'm working and looking forwrd to it

Are you in England?

[Bliz]

My wife is tivoing it. Which is fine with me, as long as she watches it while I'm doing something else. Like the women in this thread she's interested in the dress, etc.

I blame disney movies and pop culture. It's woven into their DNA to be interested in things like this

[RichmondRedskin88]

When I saw Americans bow to the Queen to shake her hand when she came over to the US I was mad. You do not bow to Englands Queen

Damn wankers.

[LeesburgSkinFan]

Do they "make money" or do they live off of taxes? I'm ignorant...sorry!

Considering how much money they generate for UK tourism, I'd say they earn their keep.

[Bang]

How much of the money that is paid to them is offset by the tourism cash they bring to the country?

~Bang

[Toe Jam]

It's almost time! OMG! I so cited!

(not).

[thehogs]

what wedding? a lot of people in england are not interested in this rubbish at all and we can have the day off without pay if our employers agree
well guys i'm working and looking forwrd to it

I have the day off but have the same attitude. One of the few reasons people give anymore is that they are good for tourism and thats about it. There are underlying historical links too that just dont work today, such as being Head of the Church of England, catholics banned from marrying in to the line and becoming Queen/King and so on. I would love to see the end of the whole thing. I'd take a republic right now, no problem.