True enough
The "Hello" comment is just an anecdote to demonstrate that people outside of Britain have an genuine, popular interest in the affairs of our monarchy.

I agree it is archaic - but I believe that is its value, since its longevity suggests stability. I reckon (purely from hearing the opinion of others from far away places) that this is one of the few remaining attractions that our under-educated, overweight and over-aspirational country still has. As for being a waste of money, I really can't agree -- the money is peanuts, really. £35m a year isn't a lot of money for a nation (about £20m less than Simon Cowell's annual income). If redistributed it would be sponged up in a second as noise money.

And it's not about tourist revenue. That may be dented, but as you say, people would still come. It's about persuading other nations of the value and status of our country for commerce, diplomacy, investment, education, banking.

It's difficult to measure, unfortunately. But I just wonder what would be better if we had no monarchy?
(Super Jet Shoes, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 15:27, 1 reply)

I don't think
that 'commerce, investment, education, banking' is affected one tiny bit by the Monarchy. Maybe diplomacy alright. You're probably right in that not much would be really 'better' without them and they are, in effect, harmless BUT in keeping with the QOTW it pisses me right off and sometimes makes me genuinely furious if i think about it for too long.They're bastards in my eyes. And their manic, ultra-royalist followers are bigger bastards with their Diana plates and Queen Liz tea-towels.
(BarryChuckle, Tue 20 Oct 2009, 16:06, closed)

You're wrong about commerce and tourism especially and the money it brings in
Which is fuckloads, primarily from commonwealth partners who would otherwise buy their machinery/chemicals/weaponry from the US or China. The Royals give them a link (and often possibly legitimacy).

To be honest I feel more sorry for them than anything. Born to HAVE to do anything is a fairly limiting existence and one that takes some guts.

Really, would you live a life pre-ordained for a few million quid (that isn't even yours)?

For me I would ban it, not because of the silver spoon aspect but because it's the human equivalent of a zoo.
(prescottsflu infected you at, Wed 21 Oct 2009, 9:35, closed)