Live Royal Wedding Coverage.

[Monoriu]

I like the little girl who covered her ears on the balcony 

[Valmy]

So I guess Prince Philip is secretly King and we just don't know, right?

There is a reason he was called Prince Albert Cal.  Only the reigning monarch can be King of Canada.

[Caliga]

I know that... it's exactly the point I was trying to make.

[Valmy]

I know that... it's exactly the point I was trying to make.

You realize that the dignity of the largest and most glorious monarchy on the planet demands this convention?  Good.  Such an illustrious title is reserved only for those who sit on the Hockey Stick Throne.

[Zanza2]

I am happy that we abolished that silly institution after the Great War. Long live the Republic.

[Caliga]

I am happy that we abolished that silly institution after the Great War. Long live the Republic.

Even the French are smarter than the British, it seems.

[Grallon]

While you were asleep the British monarchy was further degraded and rendered closer to being irrelevant.   That's pretty much it.

Why is that?  Many say William marrying a commoner might actually bring some oxygen to the institution - especially if the Queen bypasses Charles (and his horse) and gives the throne to her grandson.

I must say the future queen looks lovely.  And it does show she's in love.



G.

[Valmy]

I am happy that we abolished that silly institution after the Great War. Long live the Republic.

Pity about that little detour through a far sillier and far worse institution though.

[Caliga]

@Grals Because all the royal family really has to justify its claims on the monarchy is its bloodline.  Do you not think that if commoners marrying into it becomes the usual occurrence the British won't eventually just say to themselves "Why do we pay to support a bunch of ordinary rich people's extravagant lifestyles?"  Her bloodline is really the only concrete attribute Elizabeth has to distinguish herself from the commoners.  That's not to say she's not been a good Queen--because she certainly has--but if she'd been a bad one, and also had an undistinguished bloodline... don't you think there would be little support for the institution?

[Grallon]

@Grals Because all the royal family really has to justify its claims on the monarchy is its bloodline.  Do you not think that if commoners marrying into it becomes the usual occurrence the British won't eventually just say to themselves "Why do we pay to support a bunch of ordinary rich people's extravagant lifestyles?"  Her bloodline is really the only concrete attribute Elizabeth has to distinguish herself from the commoners.  That's not to say she's not been a good Queen--because she certainly has--but if she'd been a bad one, and also had an undistinguished bloodline... don't you think there would be little support for the institution?

It's one way to look at it - a very utilitarian way I might add. We could also say that the monarchy is the last institution that has some permanency about it; that isn't at the mercy of the latest fad or subjected to the vagaries of the market.  It's also, albeit nominally, a last recourse against a cabal of corrupt professional politicians that move in and out of power and are mainly preoccupied with shortsighted agendas.



G.

[Caliga]

I would be more ok with an actual ruling monarchy, because if someone is born with the right to rule they might actually just be a good and wise ruler.  OTOH, anyone who has to be elected a national leader has to be a backstabbing sociopath to get there.  But, since the Windsors are pure figureheads, they do in fact have no more real value to the British people than Elizabeth's corgis do to her... they're basically bejewelled pets that serve as a source of mild amusement.

[Richard Hakluyt]

I am happy that we abolished that silly institution after the Great War. Long live the Republic.

Pity about that little detour through a far sillier and far worse institution though.

Indeed, Britain does not need advice on its constitution from the likes of Germany and France, we prefer a system with some stability.

[The Brain]

@Grals Because all the royal family really has to justify its claims on the monarchy is its bloodline.  Do you not think that if commoners marrying into it becomes the usual occurrence the British won't eventually just say to themselves "Why do we pay to support a bunch of ordinary rich people's extravagant lifestyles?"  Her bloodline is really the only concrete attribute Elizabeth has to distinguish herself from the commoners.  That's not to say she's not been a good Queen--because she certainly has--but if she'd been a bad one, and also had an undistinguished bloodline... don't you think there would be little support for the institution?

How could the bloodline become undistinguished? The supreme seat, the throne majestical, still passes from blood to blood.

[The Brain]

I am happy that we abolished that silly institution after the Great War. Long live the Republic.

Pity about that little detour through a far sillier and far worse institution though.

Judgmental much?

[Valmy]

Judgmental much?