[Watsey]

I don't think this is a political topic. The Royal Family, intrinsically, conducts itself a-politically.

This afternoon's breaking news prompted the question in my mind "What next for the Royal Family, and it's survival (or not) ?"

The Queen is the true stalwart; the the Platinum Jubilee is a real achievement.

Charles continues to play a significant role, but he's always come under fire for having opinions regarding architecture and environmental issues.

William clearly is Mr Reliable among his generation.

Prince Philip has sadly departed this world.

Harry has 'gone lifestyle' and no longer has a Royal title/role.

Andrew's royal title, military titles, and official responsibilities have all been rescinded/returned as of today. It seems clear that his world is imploding. Big shock ? Inevitable ? Perhaps can't say much more about that until the legal case against him has reached a conclusion.

Edward, Zara and multiple other 'junior' Royals occasionally make it into the news (marriages and births, etc) but that's about it.

Does the Royal Family have a significant future after the Queen ? Are we witnessing the start of the end ?

[225]

I think they will still be popular and when the Queen passes they should go straight to Prince William. They generate income for the UK and its nice to have some tradition and living history before they get cancelled as well.

[JR1664]

I think the whole thing is being held together by the Queen. Charles just won't cut it I'm afraid as far as the public are concerned, or at least won't be held in the same esteem. I can see it going the same way as many other 'royal families', much lower key as far as 'royals ' are concerned.

[Tengocity]

The Queen has been fantastic, a true stateswoman for decades. It's really quite remarkable.

I think when she eventually goes, then the stuff with Andrew, we will then have Charles, and you just know he won't be able to fill her shoes.

I think they're on a one way ticket to being an awful lot less significant and much lower profile.

[Steve_M_Sport]

Very funny

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Steve_M_Sport

Very funny

The artist formerly known as Prince.

[F30Andy]

It may suprise you to learn I am a royalist and bloody love the queen.

I also believe the natural line of succession should occur with Charles rightfully getting what he has been waiting his whole life for.

I would also love to party with prince harry and Prince Andrew. I think they could teach me a thing or two about debauchery.

[JR1664]

Originally Posted by F30Andy

I would also love to party with prince harry and Prince Andrew. I think they could teach me a thing or two about debauchery.

When the guy was properly in the RN (its fair to say he did a decent stint before artificially making his way to the top of the ladder ) our guys / gals had to do close protection for months on end. He shared the same mess / single room set up as the rest. He was known as a bit of a shagger mind, not a bad golfer either.

[Wills2]

It's a case of someone who was borne 3-0 up and thought they'd scored a hat trick, the arrogance of privilege & power if you will.

He should have had better judgement and a sense of decency and needs to fade away and accept that it's over for him.

Keeping that friendship was at best misguided and stupid at worst well that doesn't bare thinking about.

[Scoobyd]

The Queen is an incredible lady, I love her like a nan! She's been a constant in all of our lives and it will be a very sad day for many when she's no longer with us. Her platinum jubilee is truly something special. The first, and likely only, monarch to ever reign for 70 years. An incredible sense of duty.

Like all families though, they're certainly dysfunctional. Andrew will hopefully get what's coming to him if what most believe is true and that must have hurt her today to strip her son of all military titles. But again, she'll let nothing come between what's deemed to be the right thing and, unlike most politicians, there's no sense of one rule for them with her. Philip's funeral showed us that. Harry has been turned and gone from the Royal I'd most like a beer with to the one who'd most likely have me jumping through a window ten minutes in.

I think the monarchy is in good hands though and is set fair for a long time to come. Charles is a good egg on the whole and fully deserves his moment as King when/if it comes. Don't agree that it should skip him to William. But when it is William's turn I think he'll do a fantastic job of it too ably backed up by Kate. He certainly chose well there! As for what happens beyond that point I expect most of us won't be here to see but for now, long live the Queen!

[allachie9]

^^ Exactly this, word for word.
Very well put.

As an aside . . . I have very vivid memories as a 7 year old being called into a special assembly at school. We had no idea what was going on until the headmaster stood up, on stage, and announced, very simply . . .
The King is dead, long live The Queen.
I can still remember the tremendous sense of awe we all felt.

[mcoops]

I've never really had the slightest interest in the royals personally, but I do think the Queen is incredible, and the cultural/historical link to the past is a big thing around the world, even if you are not a royalist.

That being said, I don't envy them. It seems to be the very definition of a gilded cage these days. It's one thing if you are trading your freedom for a combination of duty and privilege, with protection from external scrutiny which was true in the past. But whether we like it or not, privacy and deference to institutions are slipping away. I can only see it all getting eroded further over time, especially when the Queen isn't with us anymore.

[TodmordenLad]

Originally Posted by JR1664

I think the whole thing is being held together by the Queen. Charles just won't cut it I'm afraid as far as the public are concerned, or at least won't be held in the same esteem. I can see it going the same way as many other 'royal families', much lower key as far as 'royals ' are concerned.

Ive always thought that one of the things which must keep the Queen going is the prospect of handing over the throne to Charles, who is a prize d*ckhead.

[gr4z]

Originally Posted by Scoobyd

The Queen is an incredible lady, I love her like a nan! She's been a constant in all of our lives and it will be a very sad day for many when she's no longer with us. Her platinum jubilee is truly something special. The first, and likely only, monarch to ever reign for 70 years. An incredible sense of duty.

Like all families though, they're certainly dysfunctional. Andrew will hopefully get what's coming to him if what most believe is true and that must have hurt her today to strip her son of all military titles. But again, she'll let nothing come between what's deemed to be the right thing and, unlike most politicians, there's no sense of one rule for them with her. Philip's funeral showed us that. Harry has been turned and gone from the Royal I'd most like a beer with to the one who'd most likely have me jumping through a window ten minutes in.

I think the monarchy is in good hands though and is set fair for a long time to come. Charles is a good egg on the whole and fully deserves his moment as King when/if it comes. Don't agree that it should skip him to William. But when it is William's turn I think he'll do a fantastic job of it too ably backed up by Kate. He certainly chose well there! As for what happens beyond that point I expect most of us won't be here to see but for now, long live the Queen!

Couldn't agree more. The Queen is an incredible woman, with everything she has had to deal with over the years.

Andrew should be in prison. I really do hope the US courts throw the book at him, he is an awful and stupid man, full of entitlement.

Charles ain't too bad, his heart is in the right place but his charisma can misfire sometimes. William/Kate will make an excellent team when their time comes. Harry, a little dim who I reckon is beginning to regret his moves over the last few years. They will come back and bite at some point.

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by JustChris

The artist formerly known as Prince.

Given our quirky constitutional law he's actually still technically 'Prince Andrew'

I'd echo the sentiment, Liz is an absolute saint given what she's had to endure throughout her life. Must be heartbreaking for her, especially just after losing her husband of seventy years, to see her son in this situation even though he has brought it on himself.

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Given our quirky constitutional law he's actually still technically 'Prince Andrew'

I'd echo the sentiment, Liz is an absolute saint given what she's had to endure throughout her life. Must be heartbreaking for her, especially just after losing her husband of seventy years, to see her son in this situation even though he has brought it on himself.

Indeed.

I was only messing. No sweat Ralf Little is my favourite anyway.