Tuesday, 5 June 2012

DEBATE: 'The Royal Family is Irrelevant in Today's Society and the Diamond Jubilee is a Waste of Money' Discuss...

Just two days ago, I posted 60 Years of Royal Fashion... Can Jubilee've It? in which I definitively stated that I have 'virtually no interest in politics or the monarch as a ruling body' before launching into a list of some of my favorite outfits that the Queen has worn across her life thus far. However, I'm sick of hearing people whine, bitch and moan about how much money has gone into a celebration which has been labeled by some as 'medieval' (which is just incorrect), 'archaic' and 'irrelevant in today's society'. So I was having a wonder about how I feel primarily about the Royal Family in general, and then about the Diamond Jubilee itself. This is what I came up with:

The Royal Family


I understand why when looking superficially at the idea of having a Royal Family some might think the tradition is out-dated and hence irrelevant in today's society in which most countries don't 'need' a Queen. Of course our Royal Family is a tradition of the United Kingdom which means that some people automatically ask, 'Shouldn't history be kept in the past?' But I would argue that we are very lucky as a nation to have the opportunity to preserve a history for which we are renowned world-wide.


*The Queen's not-so-humble abode. Remember, she only actually lives in a little corner of it.*

Naturally, some believe that its simply 'not fair' that the Queen and her family just happened to have been lucky enough to have been born into their charmed existence and that they do not deserve what they get. Again, I'd have to say that this is a very materialistic way of looking at things. Yes, the Queen lives in Buckingham Palace in the center of London. Yes, her and her family get to travel across the globe on a regular basis. Yes, the Queen and her family are often seen wearing a variety of jewels and expensive designer garments. No, we don't see the Queen or her family riding the tube on their way to a nine-to-five job. No, the Queen doesn't have to buy her food shopping from Aldi because its been a particularly 'tight week'. No, the Royal Family don't have to be snapping photos and home movies of their special days, because the BBC does that for them.


*Kate Middleton wearing THAT Zara dress*

BUT its not all drinking champers on the Royal Throne. Imagine being born into a family in which you KNOW you'd be almost disowned if you didn't take over the family business. Imagine giving up Christmas Day with your family to make speeches to millions of people you don't even know. Imagine not being allowed to hold hands with your husband in public because it's not the 'done thing'. Imagine not being able to sit with your poorly grandpa in hospital but having to put on a brave face for the country. Imagine not being able to go anywhere without ten tonnes of security. Imagine your every move from what you say, wear and drink, being under constant scrutiny. Its surely not easy, and the freedom which we take for granted is sacrificed by the Royal Family in order to allow our country to preserve our heritage.


*Prince Harry leaving Mahiki after a particularly heavy night on the lash... We've all been there...*

To anyone who says that the Royal Family as it stands now is regressive and irrelevant in modern day, I'd totally disagree. Prince Phillip has stood behind and supported his wife, the Queen, since 1952 which is admirable considering the lack of rights for women at the time of her coronation. Prince William doesn't just roll in 'undeserved' wealth, but actually WORKS as an RAF Search and Rescue Pilot, just like any other man who does the same job, regardless of his ancestry. Princess Catherine shops in Zara. Prince Harry boozes in Mahiki. Heck, the whole family were grooving along to the likes of Will.I.Am and Jessie J at the Jubilee Concert last night! Meanwhile, each and every one of the core family gets actively involved in charity work, and more specifically, The Prince's Trust, which among other work assists underprivileged people nationwide to access opportunities which might not have been available to them otherwise in the economic recession. So I would argue that the Royal family is progressive, rather than regressive, extremely relevant to society and significantly more understanding and empathetic than the corrupt leaders with whom they are unjustly compared.

The Diamond Jubilee


Any occasion which unites the nation for a celebration is fine by me, and the Diamond Jubilee has done just that. So the Thames River Pageant cost a million squillion pounds, the roads have been closed for four days and BBC1 has been hijacked with Royalty-related coverage. But its been worth it, in my opinion, to be part of a historical event which will be spoken about for hundreds of years. And where the money is concerned, if you consider the amount of money the Queen has made for the country over the past 60 years of her reign, in tourism alone, I think it was the least we could do to honour the second-longest reigning monarch of our country. If you don't want to go to a party, or watch some of the countries biggest musical legends so far at the Jubilee concert, or even have a lie-in for your Bank Holiday day off work, then by all means don't. But don't for one second pretend its for any other reason than your general Grinch-ishness, love for attention-seeking controversy and lack of patriotic spirit.


I HAVE SPOKEN :P

So that's where I stand on the whole situation... Feel free to disagree in the comments, I know that last sentence was a bit naughty and I know that some people out there are very passionate about their dislike for the Royal Family and all things monarchy-related. However, I feel passionate about not letting Scrooges ruin my extended weekend with what I feel is un-necessary negativity.

Did you have a good Jubilee weekend? Are you angry about the festivities? Can you put forth a valid, mature and unoffensive argument for loving or hating the idea of having an active monarchy?

Love and snuggles
gabriellasofia
x

14 comments:

  1. Support for the abolition of the Monarchy is overstated in the media. Latest polls suggest only 13% of the country are in favour of being a republic.
    http://www.ipsos-mori.com/researchpublications/researcharchive/2973/Support-for-monarchy-is-at-all-time-high.aspx
    To those who complain about the cost of the monarchy, the fact is that they more than pay their way. Yes they are given taxpayers money but they bring in far more than they are given, and that money that they bring into the country is spent on education, the NHS etc.
    Politically, the Monarchy provides a wonderful link between the past and the present, and provides a level of stability and national unity that doesn't exist in most other countries. They have no real political power - Britain is a full democracy - but they give Britain a far greater voice in the world than we would otherwise have.
    Basically the Monarchy, and in particular, Queen Elizabeth II are a credit to the country and we should all be proud and grateful to have them. That's my two cents at least.
    God Save the Queen!

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    1. Thanks Andy for backing up everything I said with the facts and figures which I'm too lazy to find haha :)
      God Save the Queen indeed!
      Love
      gabriellasofia
      x

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  2. I'm not particulary patriotic or monarch-loving... at all but I really disagree with people who call the monarchy a waste of money etc. Lets face it, England is quite small, quite cold and there aren't that many 'spectacular sights' to go visit. So why do people visit our little wet nation? To see the palaces and feel like they're in the somewhat fairytale ideals of Kings and Queens and Princesses. Through tourism the royal family brings in far more than it costs the tax payer and events like the jubilee and the royal wedding just keep the spotlight on it and make people from other countries excited to come over here and be part of it :)

    I loved this article. You're right, being a royal may seem like a breeze but most celebrities choose to be in the spotlight, poor old royals are born into it and can't actually get away from it!

    At the end of the day the monarchy are here and will probably remain for our lifetime so those who are really sorely offended can just choose the option of ignoring the whole thing.

    xxx

    xxx

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    1. Thanks for seeing both sides Maisy! I understand that some people have their reasons for disliking the monarch, but they should just pipe down over the Jubilee weekend so we can all enjoy themselves. Society needs a unifying event like the 60 years to enjoy ourselves and celebrate our history.
      Love
      gabriellasofia
      x

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  3. well done :) I don't see any of the people complaining offering to go into work on their bank holidays :P
    I did a post about why I love being British too for all the moaners about Britain being rubbish

    Jenni

    bowsbanglesandbakes.blogspot.com

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    1. Oooh I'll go check out that page now, thanks for your comment Jenni!
      Love
      gabriellasofia
      x

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  4. I am all for it. Never again in my life, well I very much doubt it will I see a Diamond jubilee. People need to realise this is history being made before their eyes and in 150 years time this will be a subject in History lessons and something that people should be able to educate their children and grandchildren about. OK so it cost a lot of money but you know what, I don't really care to be quite frank. It allowed the spotlight to be put on England for a change for all the right reasons it brought communities together in a British way and its something that people should feel proud to be a part of.

    Becky

    beckys makeup

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    1. Thanks for injecting some positivity into the whole thing Becky! This is a time for celebrating not whining and grumbling.
      Love
      gabriellasofia
      x

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  5. Great post-I'm not particularly pro or anti but I agree that moaners are not needed.! And of course I do love our style icon Kate!

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    1. Ahhh Kate's wardrobe is one of the top 5 places I'd like to go before I die... Hahah :)
      Love
      gabriellasofia
      x

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  6. Great post. I am not really a monarchist or a republican. But I don't think we should get rid of them, especially because of tourism. I think these grand events are great! Especially in bad times like we are now as it gives a sense of belonging and joyment and people getting together and celebrating, it's what you need to perk everyones spirits up. Who cares how much it's cost, the amount of flags and bunting people have bought these last few weeks must have helped the economy a little hehe.

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    1. I totally agree, during the recession we NEED a reason to celebrate and champion our country and the jubilee gave us just that. I had a fab weekend, but it would have been much better without people moaning about our monarch. Thanks for you comment :)
      Love
      gabriellasofia
      x

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  7. Love how you write such diverse blog posts! A breath of fresh air :)
    We are now following you!

    Have a lovely day!
    Love Kendall from trendswb.blogspot.com xx

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  8. Great article there. Every country must play to its strengths, and one of the things the Brits do like no one else is pageantry. Part of this needs a strong Royal Family to what this Royal Family is a huge credit.

    To all those republican anti royalists out there, what would you prefer? A long serving monarch who never puts a foot wrong and provides much needed wisdom to many of our Prime Ministers (some of whom should not be in that position) or an opportunist politico like Tony Blair with that dreadful wife of his accompanied by cronies such as Mandelson and Campbell in tow traveling around in Air Force One with their noses in the air.......? urrggh!!!

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