Royalty

[Robert Treder]

For you members who are citizens of nations with royalty (or the commonwealth of one of those nations), what do you make of royalty? Do you buy into it? Does it affect you? Would you prefer a non-royal system? Do you have a sense of pride or love for your monarch? For your lesser royals? Does it piss you off when movies/tv use "highness" instead of "majesty"?

I ask because I suddenly realized that I had no idea what it would be like to be a citizen of a country with royalty. And don't give me this "celebrities are America's royalty" bullshit, because that simply isn't true.

[Stuart Mackey]

For you members who are citizens of nations with royalty (or the commonwealth of one of those nations), what do you make of royalty? Do you buy into it? Does it affect you? Would you prefer a non-royal system? Do you have a sense of pride or love for your monarch? For your lesser royals? Does it piss you off when movies/tv use "highness" instead of "majesty"?

I ask because I suddenly realized that I had no idea what it would be like to be a citizen of a country with royalty. And don't give me this "celebrities are America's royalty" bullshit, because that simply isn't true.

I am from New Zealand. For us, for most of our history we have been avid Monarchists, part of our hratage we inheritad from our working and middle class British forbears. It has always been a case of loyalty to the crown because they represented what we wished to see in our own society {unbeknown to us they were no different to us }.

This has changed with a apathy to royalty and a growing republican trend. This republican trend springs from a growing sence of patritism for NZ in its own right as being different in almost all respects from Britian.
I prefer a NZ based monarchy, unfortunatly I am in a probably non existant minority as the public in NZ are led by the nose by interest groups with a for or against agenda. Most Kiwi's dont know how our system of government actually works, and dont care, and the interests groups are happy to keep it that way.

[Frank Hipper]

You could always re-instate the native aristocracy, Mr. Mackey.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

I am from New Zealand. For us, for most of our history we have been avid Monarchists, part of our hratage we inheritad from our working and middle class British forbears. It has always been a case of loyalty to the crown because they represented what we wished to see in our own society {unbeknown to us they were no different to us }.

This has changed with a apathy to royalty and a growing republican trend. This republican trend springs from a growing sence of patritism for NZ in its own right as being different in almost all respects from Britian.
I prefer a NZ based monarchy, unfortunatly I am in a probably non existant minority as the public in NZ are led by the nose by interest groups with a for or against agenda. Most Kiwi's dont know how our system of government actually works, and dont care, and the interests groups are happy to keep it that way.

What would you think of an effort to try and get one of the Windsors to become King(or Queen?) of New Zealand in their own right? Heck, would you try to start one if motivated? With the appropriate plebiscites and the approval of Her Majesty, some Duke or Prince, etc, of the House, could ascend to a created title for New Zealand as a genuine possibility.

[Amstrad]

I'm from Australia which is in the Commonwealth. We had a referendum a couple of years ago to determine whether the Australian people wanted to become a republic or not. It failed, as 99% of referendums tend to do. Primarily because our conservative Prime Minister is an avid monarchist and fought hard against the “Yes” vote. *shrugs* I would have voted for the republic, as the Queen is just a figure head and wields no actual power. I’d also like to see us remove the Union Jack from our flag. Basically, our link with Britain has outlived its usefulness in my humble opinion.

[Archaic`]

Yes, little Johnny did indeed scuttle that vote, didn't he? The reason we got such a large no vote, IMO, was simply because of the infighting created in the republicial groups by the wording of how the republic would work under what was put to referendum by Howard.

[Montcalm]

Who in his right mind would still want monarchy on this planet,just like the Roman empire monarchy should disapear

[Sir Sirius]

Who in his right mind would still want monarchy on this planet,just like the Roman empire monarchy should disapear

I think this thread is about royalty (Kings, Queens, Princes and such), rather then actual Monarchy as a form of Goverment.

Isn't Canada a part of the British Commonwealth? Queen Elizabeth II is your Queen as well, right?

[InnerBrat]

Personally I think that the benefits (in terms of tourism and entertainment) out weigh the costs of having a figurehead Royla fmaily. It's not as if we can just kick them all out and put them on the dole. The taxpayer is always going to have to sustain the buildings/event etc, so why not keep them.

Plus, I really hate the idea of President Blair.

[Montcalm]

If the queen want to travel she can pay for it herself,with the billions she has she can afford it.

[Shortie]

If the queen want to travel she can pay for it herself,with the billions she has she can afford it.

She does. She gives all her income to the government and gets a fraction back.

Of course, I'm poresuming you're referring to her rare holidays, rather than the multitude of state visits she goes on, where, just like any government official, she does some serious work for the country.

In case you can't tell, I'm with innerbrat. I really don't like the idea of a presidential head of state, done by a popularity contest.

[Montcalm]

She does. She gives all her income to the government and gets a fraction back.

Of course, I'm poresuming you're referring to her rare holidays, rather than the multitude of state visits she goes on, where, just like any government official, she does some serious work for the country.

In case you can't tell, I'm with innerbrat. I really don't like the idea of a presidential head of state, done by a popularity contest.[/quote]

That does`nt surprised me i expected this reaction from you Brits,you all like an imposed monarchy

[Lord Sander]

For you members who are citizens of nations with royalty (or the commonwealth of one of those nations), what do you make of royalty?

Ribbon cutters with a strong historical and social value.

Do you buy into it?

How do you mean?

Does it affect you?

Not my every day life, but it makes for great television events and holidays.

Would you prefer a non-royal system?

No, the monarchy is part of our country as much windmills, wooden shoes, and tullips are.

Do you have a sense of pride or love for your monarch? For your lesser royals?

I have a certain pride in the monarchy as an institution, but not so much for the royals themselves.

Does it piss you off when movies/tv use "highness" instead of "majesty".

Can't be bothered by it.

[The Duchess of Zeon]

Yes, little Johnny did indeed scuttle that vote, didn't he? The reason we got such a large no vote, IMO, was simply because of the infighting created in the republicial groups by the wording of how the republic would work under what was put to referendum by Howard.

Australia as a Republic would require a totally new constitution; you can't simply replace the Governor General with a President, because then you'd have an Elected Dictator, not a President. The unwritten rules which govern ceremonial positions in modern monarchies should not be expected to apply to those who are elected to high office--and, once ceremonial monarchies start getting dumped, do you think the remaining ones would stay ceremonial? Between loyalists and the military (which swears a loyalty oath in most cases to the monarch in such states, not the country), they could easily impose autocratic rule, albeit for a time: and for every one of them who'd step down and run for President (you think they'd leave politics altogether? Look at Bulgaria) you'd have another who'd be quite willing to hold onto the family birthright to the bitter end.

[InnerBrat]

I just found out today that Australians get a bank holiday on Monday for her birthday! How come we don't?

(no, two bank holidays in May is not enough!)

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

Who in his right mind would still want monarchy on this planet,just like the Roman empire monarchy should disapear

I think this thread is about royalty (Kings, Queens, Princes and such), rather then actual Monarchy as a form of Goverment.

Isn't Canada a part of the British Commonwealth? Queen Elizabeth II is your Queen as well, right?

If I declared my self Supreme Emperor and Devine Overlord of the Universe I'd probably have the same amount of power.

[Tosho]

Do you buy into it?

How do you mean?

I think he means, do you feel that monarchy is a legit form of gov.

[Rhadamanthus]

Err, are there any functioning monarchies in existence? Where the monarch is the head of state and government?

[Mark S]

And don't give me this "celebrities are America's royalty" bullshit, because that simply isn't true.

That would be the Kennedys.

[Tosho]

Err, are there any functioning monarchies in existence? Where the monarch is the head of state and government?

Jordon, Saudi Arabia, ect.

[Stuart Mackey]

What would you think of an effort to try and get one of the Windsors to become King(or Queen?) of New Zealand in their own right? Heck, would you try to start one if motivated? With the appropriate plebiscites and the approval of Her Majesty, some Duke or Prince, etc, of the House, could ascend to a created title for New Zealand as a genuine possibility.

In theory thet is quite possible. New Zealand is formally the 'Kingdom of New Zealand', all such a change requires, is for the NZ government to pass legislation altering the line of succesion.

Naturally politics alters the landscape considerably.

A Windsor, if an acceptable one could be found, would not be accepted as not being a New Zealander.
There is the option of having the Maori Queen as head of state, but that would piss off most of the population who are of European decent. A lot would argue against it on the grounds of perpetuating class stucture on the grounds of race.

Such things could be worked out, but there are to many vested intrests against such an Idea, that even if it is a logical solution, the opinion shapers wouldnt go for it.
But I, however, shall support the Idea, even if its a forlorn hope

[Stuart Mackey]

You could always re-instate the native aristocracy, Mr. Mackey.

Given their history as aristorcacy? *shudders*
"Whats on the menue tonight, Master? "
"Long Pig"

[Stuart Mackey]

Australia as a Republic would require a totally new constitution; you can't simply replace the Governor General with a President, because then you'd have an Elected Dictator, not a President. The unwritten rules which govern ceremonial positions in modern monarchies should not be expected to apply to those who are elected to high office--and, once ceremonial monarchies start getting dumped, do you think the remaining ones would stay ceremonial? Between loyalists and the military (which swears a loyalty oath in most cases to the monarch in such states, not the country), they could easily impose autocratic rule, albeit for a time: and for every one of them who'd step down and run for President (you think they'd leave politics altogether? Look at Bulgaria) you'd have another who'd be quite willing to hold onto the family birthright to the bitter end.

Marina, Aussie is not America or a ex Soviet European. Aussie already ha a written constituion and the unwritten conventions are so well known and adheared to that a new constitiuin is, probably, totally unnessary.
There would only need to be a slight amendment to the constituion as it stands, and that is in regards to how the president is elected, or appointed.

As to the risks of autocratic rule? thats just silly. You forget the governmental tradition of Aussie, Parliment is supreme, remember?
The Aussie Queen is Elizabeth the Second of Canada, Britian and New Zealand, and hardly likly to run for President of Australia.

[Stuart Mackey]

Who in his right mind would still want monarchy on this planet,just like the Roman empire monarchy should disapear

I think this thread is about royalty (Kings, Queens, Princes and such), rather then actual Monarchy as a form of Goverment.

Isn't Canada a part of the British Commonwealth? Queen Elizabeth II is your Queen as well, right?

If I declared my self Supreme Emperor and Devine Overlord of the Universe I'd probably have the same amount of power.

I wouldnt genralise there, there is some small residual formal authority.
*Echo's of the fate of the Witlam government*

[Gandalf]

I have nothing against having a head of state as a King, Queen or Jack. But there should be a way to prove their worth to be a HoS. Like have them ride into battle or something. Because, if fantasy literature has taught us nothing, a good King can rock.

Though I would much rather Australia as a republic, then New Zealand could be a republic, and we could merge into one big country.