The British monarchy is truly fascinating, but its current iteration is a useless tradition.
Just finished Dan Jones’ fantastic series on the British Royal history — The Plantagenets and The War of the Roses. Royalty in the older days was much more akin to Game of Thrones, where almost inevitably, kings died either in battle, were murdered, or beheaded. The last of these were perhaps Edward VI in 1552, but most assuredly was Richard III in 1485. In that period, Meghan would have been placed in The Tower of London to await her execution.
Today’s royals are mere zoo animals. Interesting to watch, and in need of feeding and caring until they die of old age…
I liked the Tudors myself; things have never been the same since everyone switched to sedans.
Oops, forgot Charles I in 1649 — the last of the violent deaths…
It’s a tourist cash cow. The British monarchy makes the country about $2bln a year in tourism and merchandise. That doesn’t count the intangibles and derivative products, like TV shows and movies.
The brand is one of the most recognizable in the world and makes money with both good and horrible press that would destroy other brands.
> The British monarchy is truly fascinating, but its current iteration is a useless tradition. <
Out of curiosity I looked it up. The last time a British monarch withheld royal assent was in 1708. Since then they have not interfered with Parliament at all. Some might argue that’s a good thing. But I tend to agree with you.
If a monarch does nothing but stand around and wave from a balcony, what’s the purpose of the monarchy?
Of course it’s all up to the Brits. If the want to continue to fund that bunch, go for it.
Maybe you could keep an eye out for King Momo, King of Carnival in Brazil.
“a tall, fat man is chosen to fulfill the role”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Momo
Usually King Momo is an excellent dancer, one of his primary roles.
“Today’s royals are mere zoo animals.”
They would do better if they would resolve to run the Firm like a real professional business rather than a dysfunctional family firm. They are probably limited as to what they can do to curb the behavior of a problematic heir (the politicians managed to boot Edward VIII, thankfully), but any other working royal (Halfwit, MeGain, Andrew, Margaret) who becomes an embarrassment, who is indiscreet or who bullies staff should be pensioned off right away, never to represent the monarchy or the UK again, and if they can’t keep their traps shut about the family, excluded from all family events.