How do you feel about today's British Royal Family?

[NurseJackie]

Poll Question: How do you feel about today's British Royal Family?

Things to discuss: What drives your opinion of them? Have you always felt this way? Have your feelings changed recently or over time? What caused the change?

55 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	Very Positive
	0 (0%)
	Mostly Positive
	6 (11%)
	Somewhat Positive
	2 (4%)
	Neither Positive or Negative
	22 (40%)
	Somewhat Negative
	0 (0%)
	Mostly Negative
	8 (15%)
	Very Negative
	17 (31%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[snowybirdie]

1. Just look at

that photo. All those people on a balcony receiving cheers and adulation from the little people. All rich because the national treasury gives it to them. Why?

[Mike Nelson]

2. Never liked them...

... and it has nothing to do with the big interview. "Royalty" sends the message that some of us are more special just because we were born into a wealthy, celebrity family... but not only wealthy and famous, which is fine and factual... it's that people thing it means these people are just better, genetically superior, closer to God, deserving of unearned respect and even worship (bowed down to). It's Revolting.

[bdamomma]

71. We have

that same kind of people here in the US, the 1%.

[CountAllVotes]

3. Batch of inbreds

[hlthe2b]

4. Very complicated. I really have disdain for simplistic assessments, though, being a student of

history... I refuse to paint all within the BRF in caricature form. That said, I can absolutely understand the positions expressed by non-Royalists or those outsiders within the family, especially in recent decades. But, I can't buy into simplistic assessments, especially on an individual member basis. These are people dealing with a system and expectations---formed over many centuries. Change has to come from both within and outside.

That said, this is a call for the Brits, IMO.

[BMW2020RT]

46. Your words echo my conversation with the wife last night.

[secondwind]

5. I get especially worked up whenever I see

Prince Charles’ “ruddy complexion” from his excessive drinking.

[MiHale]

6. Could I care less...doubt it...we freed ourselves from that monarchy...nt

[rampartc]

7. aristocracy in general is a concept that serves only the aristocrats

the generic term for titled parasites is "eurotrash." these saxe coburg gothas are no different.

[Locrian]

8. where's the "don't care" option? -n/t

[NurseJackie]

10. I think "Neither Positive or Negative" probably would be the best choice.

[gab13by13]

9. I think they are "wankers."

[maryellen99]

11. Neither positive or negative

I’m more into the Tudors,War of the Roses, wives of Henry VIII. At least they had to earn their crowns.

[dem4decades]

12. They changed their name to something more British? What a bunch of

Phony bullshit, after the Queen goes they should fire the bunch and pay a couple of actors, open the castles for public viewing and be done with it.

[Freddie]

13. They make one heck of a great TV series though

[NurseJackie]

16. The Mister and I really got a good laugh out of "The Windsors" on Netflix.

The Mister and I really got a good laugh out of "The Windsors" on Netflix.

https://www.netflix.com/title/80216651



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Windsors

Series overview

The Windsors tells the story of the British Royal family but re-imagined as a soap opera. Although the stories are completely fictional, they are inspired by real events.[2]

Taking their cue from tabloid tittle-tattle and caricature, Camilla becomes a cartoon villain who is hell-bent on becoming Queen, in order to redeem herself in the eyes of a public whom she believes – with some justification (in the fictional world of the series) – to be hostile towards her for having usurped Diana, Princess of Wales. She believes that, after decades of a monarch perceived as unfashionable,[3] they had been looking forward to a glamorous, sexually provocative Queen with "the full, magnificent mammaries of a macromastic Milking Shorthorn". She believed the public rationalised to itself the shallowness of this desire by affecting to admire Diana for her charity work, but that this was belied by their relative antipathy toward Princess Anne, who "achieves more before breakfast on a wet Sunday morning than Little Miss Doe-eyes did in a lifetime of heroic hugging." She therefore hopes to improve her standing with the public by changing her appearance, rather than by making herself a more sympathetic person. She fixates on various ways in which she might achieve this, but never actually carries out any of the schemes she imagines. In scenes visually resonant of the "nose cards" scene[4] in the Steve Martin movie Roxanne, Camilla is shown looking at herself in profile in a Kensington Palace pier glass while holding analogous "breast cards" to her chest.

Pippa Middleton, played by Morgana Robinson, is catty and highly envious of her older sister. "I honed my Pippa skills through the medium of boarding school; I channelled all the girls I went to school with and basically put them all into one character," says Robinson. "There's only one interview I've seen and she's very nervous – so much lovelier and very sweet compared to my version of her." Prince Andrew is a failure; his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie are, according to Tyler-Moore, "slightly dim girls", and the Queen and Prince Philip are physically absent but frequently mentioned by the other characters.[5]

Kate Middleton is portrayed as a gypsy traveller who doesn't fit in but longs to, whilst her sister Pippa is portrayed as a jealous attention-seeker who has sex with Harry and tries to seduce William as well. Prince William is a well-meaning character and probably the most normal. Prince Harry, who enjoys partying and is illiterate and very naive, loves Pippa Middleton's bum. Edward is an alcoholic. Prince Charles, a lover of his Duchy Originals biscuits. Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York are two useless, rich Sloanes, searching for purpose in life – until they seem, briefly, to become radicalised.[6]

Channel 4 described the show, in a statement: “The series is a wry take on what the soap opera of their lives (and loves) might just be like. Delving behind the headlines and gossip columns, The Windsors lets our imaginations run riot in this ludicrous parody. "Imagine, who really controls the sceptre in Charles and Camilla's marriage? What do the Royals really think of Kate? Does Wills really want to be king? Will Harry ever take Pippa up the aisle or will they end on a bum note? And what do Beatrice and Eugenie actually do for a living?" C4's head of comedy Phil Clarke added: “In The Windsors, our much-loved Royal family is re-imagined through the lens of a soap opera, and although the stories are completely fictional, some are inspired by real events. As a result, writers Bert and George have outdone even the funniest, most ludicrous issue of Hello! magazine ever."[7]

[Chipper Chat]

14. Can't wait for King William.

I just feel he will be an asset to the monarchy.

[PJMcK]

15. Fuck 'em all

Who needs royalty? didn't we fight a revolution to escape from that ancient tyranny?

The British royal family doesn't contribute a damn thing to the world. They should be cut loose.

I don't understand why Americans care about them. Their lives are, frankly, meaningless and the palace intrigue about Harry and Meagan-- are those their names?-- has zero interest to me.

There are far more important thing to think about and debate. The British royals are nothing but a tremendous financial suck on the English economy.

[NurseJackie]

20. Are they actually tyrants?

I don't understand why Americans care about them. Their lives are, frankly, meaningless and the palace intrigue about Harry and Meagan-- are those their names?-- has zero interest to me.

I don't understand why some people are so hostile and claim to have "zero interest." There must be some interest after all, otherwise, what's the source of the hostility?

In any case, I find the whole thing to be fascinating. I enjoy watching and reading and looking at the photos.

https://www.gosocial.co/20-times-the-royal-family-were-just-like-us/

[PJMcK]

22. No, you're wrong

I'm not the least bit interested in the British royal family. Not at all.

The reason I commented about them is because they are dominating our news at a crucial time in our country's history. We should be focused on those things. Harry and Megan can fuck off.

Why are they fascinating to you? Is it just their celebrity? What real contributions do they make to the world? Frankly, every one of them are simply members of the lucky sperm club. If they had to exist on their own, they wouldn't be the least bit interesting to anyone else.

Just my opinion, of course.

[NurseJackie]

27. You're interested enough to have an negative opinion...

Just my opinion, of course.

Yes, as I noted: You're interested enough to have an negative opinion ... and negative opinions don't just appear out of thin air.

Oh, I know I'm being nitpicky, but it's like when someone says "I could care less" ... that means that they DO care at least a little, because they COULD care even less than the level that they currently care.

The reason I commented about them is because they are dominating our news at a crucial time in our country's history. We should be focused on those things. Harry and Megan can fuck off.

I can multi-task. For many people it's entirely possible to be focused on "crucial" things while simultaneously (or alternatingly) reading/watching/listening-to other things which are relaxing and entertaining.

I refuse to endure a joyless life, or to feel guilty for my blessings. Being preoccupied with "those things" and making one's self miserable (or attempting to foist misery or guilt upon others) because we live in an imperfect world serves no good purpose.

[PJMcK]

70. The British family is of ZERO interest to me

Your assumption that I'm "interested enough to have a negative opinion" is way off base!

Additionally, I have a joyful life! I've been vaccinated, I've held onto my job, my wife and I are in love an we're comfortable. We don't live with any guilt. So, I'm not even sure what you meant.

It's a wonderful aspect that you can multi-task and focus on "crucial things while simultaneously (or alternatingly) (sic) reading/watching/listening-to other things which are relaxing and entertaining."

In fact, I admire that aspect of your personality, which I've observed on DU many times.

Nonetheless, the British royal family is a financial suck on England's economy and that group of leaches contributes noting to the British empire. In fact, they don't do a damn thing for the people of England other than reminding them of ancient history.

Regardless, NurseJackie, you and I are on the same side of the fence in the U.S. I wish you well and hope you have a good evening.

[NurseJackie]

73. ...

[Lancero]

42. A crucial time, when we're dealing with a multitude of issues. Racism, of which, is one.

You'd think that now, more than ever, would be the time for a story like this to be heard.

Or is 'fuck off' your default response to someone opening up about the racism they have experienced in their lives?

[PJMcK]

66. Goodness, no! You've completely misunderstood me

My question was simply this: Why do Americans find the British royal family so interesting. It seems ridiculous to me.

As far as any racism in that family, all I can write is I'm not the least bit surprised. British history is inundated with racism and classism. But I really don't give a damn about that family because they are a throwback to pre-modern and colonial times. Royal families should be retired in functioning democracies.

Lancero, I believe you and I are actually in agreement. Peace.

[Kaleva]

23. You seem to care very much about them.

They certainly have control of your emotions.

[PJMcK]

24. Nonsense

Why are they dominating our news cycle?

[Kaleva]

28. Because people like you are fascinated with them.

The media is a for profit business and they'll put out what brings in customers which increase their ratings and thus their bottom line. It's always been that way.


However, in this day and age, people can pick and choose the news they are interested in. My main and often only source is LBN where I can pick pick the news I'm interested in. You could do that to but methinks you deep down are fascinated by the royals and their doings. Otherwise, you wouldn't know squat about them. I see headlines here in GD so I know there was an interview but as I have not read the threads, I don't know when the interview took place (yesterday?), what network had the interview or what was said.

[PJMcK]

62. Once again, nonsense

I am not the least bit fascinated by the British royal family. You are dead wrong about me.

My question was quite simple, actually. Here it is: Why are Americans fascinated by the British royals?

I ask the question because I am not and I don't understand the interest.

In any event, this subject is really boring. I hope you have a good evening, Kaleva.

[Sympthsical]

59. It's a soap opera, and this week we're having "A Very Special Episode"

Next week? Archie baby swap.

[PJMcK]

64. Yeah, that's pretty much what I think

It's the soap opera and it's really stupid because it's based on a ridiculous idea, that is, that the British royal family is somehow endowed by god to be leaders of their nation. It's ridiculous especially in a country that has a functioning democracy.

[Kaleva]

17. About the same as I feel for the royal families of Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, etc.

[GoCubsGo]

18. I never have and will never understand why anyone here gives a shit about them.

They are the UK's problem, not ours.

[leftyladyfrommo]

19. I like Kate and William and the kids.

Don't care about the rest.

[NurseJackie]

30. I liked Diana.

[leftyladyfrommo]

36. I did, too. nt

[Solly Mack]

21. They're a bit like a reality show. A brand before being a brand became the new go-to 15 minutes.

But clearly now a brand in the present currency of the word.

Far less mysterious than they used to be. Lot of the luster is gone. I'm talking throughout its history and not in terms of my lifetime, though there has been a definite rapidity to the loss of both mystery and luster since my birth.

I don't revere it but it is history and from that standpoint an interest of mine.

Treated as celebrities, in the popular "Hollywood" vernacular more than anything. As such, they are both elevated and cheapened.

Reaches a greater audience but invites the familiar which in turn removes the august sense of being one tends to think of when one thinks of royalty. A Majesty without the majestic, so to speak.

Human, with all the foibles.

Anachronistic.

Tourist attraction.

Overexposed.

Struggling, but without grace. You don't get it both ways - the attention and appeal without the scrutiny. Silence isn't grace, necessarily. It can be simply one hoping that no response is eventually met with no scrutiny. That the inquiring body will give up. The silence also allows others to interpret the silence their own way - with opposing parties fighting it out without the royal family ever having to comment either to affirm or negate. Above the fray and out of the way - the line of fire directed elsewhere.

Slow to evolve.

Restricted by the ideals of royalty with the realities of changing world.

If the monarchy crumbles, it crumbles.

Wouldn't be the first monarchy to go the way of the dustbin of history.

All that said...

The racism matters. As living symbols/history of the United Kingdom/Britain, racism within the royal family should be exposed and should be rooted out.

No system is worth the oppression it tolerates - and racism is oppression and it is never - ever - just a small part of the whole. Racism always permeates the whole.

[BMW2020RT]

49. There is a lot of truth in what you wrote.

Last edited Mon Mar 8, 2021, 11:26 AM - Edit history (1)

I have no doubt that Britain has it's share of racist assholes, not unlike the USA. And I am sure the royal family is not immune to that particular illness. That being said, I have yet to encounter any ugliness or have a bad experience during my visits.

Wait, strike that. I did have an experience that was simultaneously frustrating and funny, although I didn't see the humor until later.

I was returning to London from a day trip to Chester. Near the Euston train station we were asked to change trains and take another route into the city. I learned later there was a fire on one of the trains at the Euston station which necessitated a temporary closing. The following day I read an article in the Times that described the scene with eye witness accounts. I was tickled by the words of one witness who said of the pandemonium that ensued, and I paraphrase, "There was glass breaking and screaming until someone shouted 'Hey, we're British, let's act sensibly!'"

[Solly Mack]

51. That's hilarious. I love British humor.

Was speaking of the UK royal family/monarchy in general - not the people.


I'd be a complete failure at living by rigid rules. I wouldn't at all have a positive reaction to it.

[BMW2020RT]

52. Many British expatriates living the US probably agree with you.

I don't think I could happily live there for an extended period of time. As much as I enjoy visiting places of historical interest in the UK I would probably lose interest in living rather quickly, preferring to stick with visiting instead. If I had free time and the financial resources, unencumbered with employment, to ride around the island from a fixed address I think one year would just about do me in. If I were to include touring France and Germany, for example, I might be able to prolong my stay, but at some point I am pretty sure I would be overcome by homesickness.

[NurseJackie]

53. Find me a home in Midsommer County or Kembleford...

... (or some place similar to those fictional locations) and let me spend the rest my days there. I could die happy.

[BMW2020RT]

57. On my list of things to like about the UK trains are pretty high.

Imagine having such a great public transport here that puts riders within walking distance of many places they want to go.

[Metatron]

58. Midsomer? with that death rate?!

[NurseJackie]

61. At least three per episode.

But other than that, the town is quaint and cozy and perfectly charming.

[Solly Mack]

54. I could live there. I just couldn't be a part of the royal family. Too many restrictions.

Not that I'd ever be asked to be.

LMAO

[BMW2020RT]

56. No offense to the queen, but count me out of the royal family circus.

I too don't have any standing be it hereditary or celebrity, so inclusion in the royal family is probably right out.

I was pleased to hear Harry hasn't lost his relationship with his grandmother.

[FSogol]

25. Gosh! Who would have thought that the family that started the international drug trade by creating

an opium market in China and attempted genocide on the Irish people would be nasty enough to be racist against a biracial woman who married one of their chinless princelings?

I'm shocked!

[brooklynite]

26. I don't...

...think about them at all

[struggle4progress]

29. Meh. I guess I like Liz and Phil better than I liked Don and Mel; and Princess Anne

seems much nicer than Princess Ivan

But I don't really give them much thought

If I lived in the UK, I would (just on principle) regard the monarchy as an old relic collapsing under its own weight, but that's really up to the folk there

[tavernier]

31. They are amusing,

but not my problem.

[GoneOffShore]

32. Love Liz, not so keen on Phil. Charles is a bit of a prat. Andrew? Dodgy bugger.

Harry was fine until he ended up singing 'She's Got Me Under Her Thumb'. Meghan? She's a chancer, the same as Diana was. And second hand anecdotes from people in the fashion world about her? Let's just say that she's a low rent Kardashian when it comes to entitlement.

[NurseJackie]

34. These two are always fascinators...

[GoneOffShore]

35. Essex girls. In fancy hats.

[luvs2sing]

33. I have always been interested in British history.

I’m interested in the history of all countries where I have ancestors, but I’m definitely not a royal watcher. The current crew is just a new set of historical characters to me.

I am currently reading a book on the history of Africa. I’m at the place where South Africa gains it’s independence, so almost finished with the book. While watching the interview last night, all I could think was the more things change, the more they stay the same.

[NurseJackie]

37. Your thoughts mirror mine.

I'm also not a "Royal Watcher"... but when I do watch, I find them fascinating. I don't collect royal memorabilia (plates, spoons, photographs, etc.) However, I did purchase this amusing little item at a gift shop in London. (Not surprisingly, I could have ordered it on Amazon for less... but that's the nature of impulse souvenir purchases anyway.)

[luvs2sing]

39. Love it.

[samplegirl]

38. I have a cousin in Leeds

And I’ve known for years that the common folk feel the same about them as we do the trumps!

[NurseJackie]

40. So when people line the streets to wave and cheer as the Queen passes... none of them are common folk?

[Binkie The Clown]

41. Other: I don't feel anything. They are totally irrelevant to my life. nt

[Cinnamonspice]

43. They couldn't handle one black person coming into their family.

Don't care for them.

[mopinko]

44. being irish i cant 'like' them.

tho i dont really hold this lot responsible for the last 800 yrs.
and i have a soft spot for old liz. addicted to 'the crown' and sorta feel for her struggles between the power she didnt ask for and being a human being.

i havent seen the interview yet, but from what i have read her this am, i think it's about time to shit can the whole fucking idea.
between that and old randy andy, i wonder that the brits dont wake up and dump them in the thames

[Demsrule86]

45. I have thought of England as a racist country for years...hubs has family there and they are

very racist and anti-immigrant. Look at their government...how many people of color are in it. We have racism here of course, but a majority of Americans still elected the first Black president and Vice President. We continue to try to improve this country and end institutional racism. But what has England ever done? I never liked them after Diana anyway.

[Tarc]

47. Royalty is a strange anachronism in the 21st century

Thankfully there are few left that wield actual authority, and the ones that are ceremonial are more or less just mega-corporate charities.

But still, Charles will ascend one day to run the whole thing, with no other qualification than the loins he slipped from.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

48. For centuries, my ancestors were mercilessly persecuted, oppressed,

tortured, murdered, dispossessed, slaughtered, swindled, starved, impoverished, and possibly indentured or enslaved, etc. by the greed obsessed, psychopathic megalomaniacs who were the English "royal" savages, and their agents, and their Empire.

As an American Democrat democrat, I am as horrified at the unwarranted glorification of, obsession with, and near worship of, these remnants of the merciless, genocidal "crown" as I would be horrified at admiration for, and glorification of, the descendants of the genocidal psychos who comprised the leadership of the Third Reich, or the descendants of the plantation owners of the antebellum south.

The former guy tried to establish his family as America's first "royal" family. I'm sure he still wants this.

[keithbvadu2]

50. The royals do not run in my social circle so I do not have much concern about them plus or minus.

The royals do not run in my social circle so I do not have much concern about them plus or minus.

They are at best a mild passing interest.

[smirkymonkey]

75. That's hilarious!

[Mz Pip]

55. I don't really care.

I wish Meghan and Harry well but think they should just retire from public life.

[treestar]

60. Mostly positive; they can't help to whom they were born

and most of them try to do good things.

They have too many rules and need to get more into the 21st century and allowed to have normal personal lives - marry whom they want, have the media quit making up stories about them to get rating or sell rags, or learn to ignore it.

One or some are bound to be gay - are they going to take that in stride if they come out or create another "scandal?" Can't they just let it be?

[LanternWaste]

63. Fascinating as hell.

I did my thesis on Victoria's influence in England's infrastructure revolution and have been fascinated by the family (post and prior) ever since.

As an aside, there's a damned intriguing move called King Charles III (based on play of same name) which, in blank verse as well as prose, dramatizes a series of catastrophic decisions resulting from the passing of the Queen, throwing England and the throne into political turmoil.

The verse and prose is border-line Shakespearean. Add the that the tragic over- and under-tones, the visitation of the ghostly dead speaking to her children, and the machinations of various royal factions and interests, all contrasted by the modern setting and the relevant implications resulted in a move which kind of knocked my socks off.

[Sunsky]

65. I wasn't a fan in the first place

But after watching that interview Fck them. Diana and her son Harry will always have a special place in my heart.

[GulfCoast66]

67. I put negative. Because could not give a shit was not an option.

I hate the very idea of royalty.

[Shanti Shanti Shanti]

72. LOL, oh, the scandals of the aristocrats never cease, rich people problems, need more manor houses

[Bettie]

68. Some of the kids are super cute

overall, it's fun to sometimes see stories about them and laugh at the many ridiculous hats.

I used to love to see Princess Diana's clothes.

I like to see how those who have WAY more money than I'll ever have dress.

So, clothes and kids plus silly hats. As people? Some of them seem truly awful, but no more so than our super rich assholes.

[ProfessorGAC]

69. Couldn't Care Less

So I picked neither.
They're British, I'm not. Nothing they do or say affects me in the list.
The concept of royalty is silly, but that's not this crew's fault, so no harsh feelings toward them.
I just have zero interest in any of them. That included Diana when she was alive.

[BannonsLiver]

74. I'm interested in the history and the traditions

I also like the pageantry of things like the opening of parliament and trouping of the color. We have zero pomp in our country. Even our inaugurations are kind of lame in comparison.

I also understand why people think it’s antiquated and shouldn’t be a part of our world. But that’s really a decision for the British people, not Americans.

Good poll topic Jackie!

[Demovictory9]

76. the whole royal business is weird. that Prince Charles is age 72 waiting to start his job as King

is really weird... being past retirement age and still waiting to begin the job that he trained for.

[Coventina]

77. Axe the monarchy. n/t

[keithbvadu2]

78. Candle

[JCMach1]

79. Don't give AF... Full stop

[In It to Win It]

80. Absolutely nothing. I feel nothing about the British Royal Family.

[FlyingPiggy]

81. Never was impressed with them. I knew they were all shmucks

From the Diana incident. And that Kate....no thanks. William too. They embody everything I don’t like about the monarchy. There’s a reason why Meghan and Harry are so popular.