i do like the old tradition of the king fighting in the front of his troops
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i do like the old tradition of the king fighting in the front of his troops
You've been watching too many movies Russtafa, Kings with half a brain are usually on a horse on a hilltop far away watching the 'little platoons' getting speared, hammered and toasted, or maybe even winning. How long would any of them lasted if they were at the front? For the record, George II is said to have 'led' his troops- the battle of Dettingen in the War of the Austrian Succession,1743, but as far as I know having ridden the horse at the head of 'his men', he then quickly scarpered to safety to let the 'lads' do their work. The last king to die in battle was Richard III in 1485, and he was killed by other 'Englishmen' at the Battle of Bosworth Field during the Wars of the Roses, and let's just say that apart from all the myths, Richard III isn't considered the most shining example of monarchs in this country's glorious history.
In general the monarchy is popular, not sure how it breaks down for individual royals as they have had different 'careers' with matching press coverage good and bad. If its bad, the 'advisers' usually take control to clean up the image, give the offending royal a suitable charity to get involved in as penance, and hope the public 'warm' to them. As for the class system, if you detest it so much, then stop watching Downton Abbey!!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/me...e-6291113.html
Ben.... a lot of people in the UK would be happy to see the monarchy disappear. But one argument for their retention is the tourist dollar all that pomp and circumstance brings in. Another is that without them we'd have all the potential corruption and political shennanigans around electing a president.
The Queen is generally rather popular I guess. And this year celebrates her diamond jubilee.
Prince Charles, heir to the throne is less popular and certainly his ratings plummetted after he and Princess Diana split up.
His sister, Anne is thought to be sensible and is respected as a hard worker but not particularly likeable. Andrew and edward are thought to be buffoons.
Jump a generation and it seems the public have now fallen in love with Prince William and his new wife Catherine. His brother on the other hand - in the icture posted by Yvonne - is thought to be a fool.
It's all fantasy stuff really. A distraction from all the bad news around.
This week the Tory Party has proposed the british taxpayer pay for the Queen to have a new yacht for her diamond jubilee. The idea has got a very mixed reception.