Prince William: Palace Hardman?

[David Peckham]

I've never been a big fan of the Royals - I used to think that their severed heads should be hung all along The Mall, but I've softened as I've got older. A slimmed down monarchy would be quite profitable for the UK, and a better option than an elected ceremonial president.

Apparently, William has had quite a role in the uncompromising treatment of Andrew & Fergie and Harry & Megan - it reminded me of Michael Corleone's purge of the family's enemies at the end of 'The Godfather'. It was brutal, but at least Michael waited until his father, Don Vito, was dead to secure the future of the family business. William is putting his complications out of the picture now - I'd avoid massages or revolving doors if I was Beatrice or Eugenie.

I think I'm developing a sneaking admiration for William.

[Sue]

34 minutes ago, David Peckham said:

I've never been a big fan of the Royals - I used to think that their severed heads should be hung all along The Mall, but I've softened as I've got older. A slimmed down monarchy would be quite profitable for the UK, and a better option than an elected ceremonial president.

Apparently, William has had quite a role in the uncompromising treatment of Andrew & Fergie and Harry & Megan - it reminded me of Michael Corleone's purge of the family's enemies at the end of 'The Godfather'. It was brutal, but at least Michael waited until his father, Don Vito, was dead to secure the future of the family business. William is putting his complications out of the picture now - I'd avoid massages or revolving doors if I was Beatrice or Eugenie.

I think I'm developing a sneaking admiration for William.

I agree.

Least of the possible evils.

[malumbu]

I'm sure Spitting Image had Prince Bill as an Omen child/young Godfather out to get his parents 

[Sephiroth]

“Least of all possible evils”

as if other countries somehow don’t manage 

yet britan waddles along with its weird deferences and exaggerated class systems 

(I dislike all Royal systems. But hold special hatred for a Britain and it’s “cor blimey guv! Least we isn’t like theM forrins eh?”)

[David Peckham]

To be fair to Royalists, it didn't work out too well for anyone last time we canned the monarchy.

I'd imagine quite a few French, Germans, Spanish, Portuguese and Russians had second thoughts after they' found out what you get in their place - those really didn't work out well. Maybe elected heads of state only work well where there's never been a monarchy.

The countries I'd aspire to - the Scandinavian states, The Netherlands - have slimmed down monarchies, and that looks like the way we're moving.

I'd take that and abolition of an unelected upper house, most particularly the hereditary element of it, as a decent starting point.

Edited 17 hours ago by David Peckham

[Sue]

5 hours ago, Sephiroth said:

“Least of all possible evils”

as if other countries somehow don’t manage 

yet britan waddles along with its weird deferences and exaggerated class systems 

(I dislike all Royal systems. But hold special hatred for a Britain and it’s “cor blimey guv! Least we isn’t like theM forrins eh?”)

Yes of course a lot of it is total bollocks.

And of course the House of Lords is ridiculous.

But the class system etc isn't because we have a "royal family", is it?

[HeadNun]

I think the family is a valuable soft power. When Zelensky was humiliated and bullied in the White House, he was at Windsor for tea the very next day, which sent a powerful message. Same when the king visited Canada.  I think even republican states and their leaders do revere the idea of a royal family and all the pomp that comes with it. Being able to dangle a second state visit invitation to Trump, who requires subjugation by flattery, affords us a not insignificant amount of leverage. 

Their supposed apolitical stance does give them a valuable platform to advocate for causes, for example for climate change, domestic abuse, homelessness, etc and maintain visible relations in the UK with different religious and ethnic groups (charles has been v good at this). 

The more the family can visibly separate wealth from power, the better. I think some of the the ways the duchy of cornwall makes its money is repugnant. For eg, if it's going to lease land and property to the NHS and MOD it needs to be peppercorn, not for profit. There's a lot of sketchyness around the duchy, and any scandal seems to disappear in a matter of days, which demonstrates the frightening power the palace yields. If William really wants to make the family above reproach, his family and estate has to be squeaky clean and it simply isn't 

He and his father also needs to go one step further and pass a government act so the rogue's titles are truly stripped, not just in abeyance. There's still more scandal to come and they'll need to be even more ruthless