The Royal Wedding

[smacw]

I am certainly not a Monarchist being born and brought up in Scotland but I do admit I do like the pomp of such occasions. We do it so well in the UK and very few other countries have the traditions and the history.

It must be of interest as the event was broadcast to over 180 countries with an expected audience of 2 billion people.

I don't follow the logic. How does being born and raised in Scotland automatically make one a republican? They are the royal family of Great Britain.

That said, I did note a conspicuous lack of anything remotely Scottish associated with the wedding. The Duke of Kent in the uniform of a Colonel in Chief of the Scots Guards notwithstanding. Not that I expect wall to wall bagpipes and kilts, as thats not all there is to Scotland and only represents one historic language/cultural group of Scotland, but in as much as the groom attended St. Andrew's and met his bride there, I expected a little something.

[Mike_Oettle]

Like smacw, I don’t get PEEDYC’s point: “I don't follow the logic. How does being born and raised in Scotland automatically make one a republican? They are the royal family of Great Britain.”

And of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the other Dominions of the Commonwealth.
While my father was a republican (who opposed the apartheid republic), I was influenced by my maternal grandparents, who were fanatically loyal to the royal family. I’m no fanatic, but I am proud of having been born a subject of King George VI and that Queen Elizabeth was South Africa’s head of state for an all-too-brief nine years.
My wife also came from a strongly royalist family. Our children are not so enthusiastic, however.
One significant benefit of the end of apartheid was our return (albeit as a republic) to the Commonwealth.
Regards,
Mike

[robbiethepiper]

Like smacw, I don’t get PEEDYC’s point: “I don't follow the logic. How does being born and raised in Scotland automatically make one a republican? They are the royal family of Great Britain.”

And of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the other Dominions of the Commonwealth.
While my father was a republican (who opposed the apartheid republic), I was influenced by my maternal grandparents, who were fanatically loyal to the royal family. I’m no fanatic, but I am proud of having been born a subject of King George VI and that Queen Elizabeth was South Africa’s head of state for an all-too-brief nine years.
My wife also came from a strongly royalist family. Our children are not so enthusiastic, however.
One significant benefit of the end of apartheid was our return (albeit as a republic) to the Commonwealth.
Regards,
Mike

VERY large numbers of people in Scotland are less than in love with the current monarchy and that is not just ancient history. Stating no more than current fact and voicing no opinion publicly....Robbie

[Lallans]

As I recall, in the early 1990s the Queen dealt a major blow to Scottish separatism when she made a simple statement to the effect that she was the Queen of all of Britain. How you feel about that outcome might vary, but from my distance it did seem that she had considerable influence on the eventual voting.

[xman]

Don't worry. I'm sure we'll have another election soon.

Or not.

[Graham]

I am certainly not a Monarchist being born and brought up in Scotland but I do admit I do like the pomp of such occasions. We do it so well in the UK and very few other countries have the traditions and the history.

It must be of interest as the event was broadcast to over 180 countries with an expected audience of 2 billion people.

I agree about the pomp, I really liked the mayor of Londons sermon and the music was nice. I am sympathetic to the Monarchy, better than the alternatives (maybe), my objection was the cost, but I understand the Royal family footed most of the bill ..as they should.
It was a time of good cheer for the nation and beyond, as royal wedding have been in past times of troubles, the planet certainly needs some cheer.
Pity there were no kilts there, unlike the last Danish wedding.

[Dixiecat]

Or not.

I haz a sad now.

[Mike_Oettle]

Actually, Graham, it was the Bishop of London (I don’t see Boris Johnson preaching at any wedding soon!).

This thread is on the verge of transgressing several forum rules (although Graham is not to blame).
But I thought I would mention two details:
Firstly, the Queen is on the throne because she is descended from the Scottish house of Stewart.
Secondly, the cost of the monarchy to the British taxpayer comes to less than £1 a year – the figure was mentioned on TV during the wedding broadcast, and it is below 80p.
When you consider what royal events draw into Britain in the nature of overseas visitors and payments for TV broadcasts (not to mention all the other revenue they generate), that is a paltry amount.
The royal family is Britain’s best asset.
Regards,
Mike

[smacw]

As I recall, in the early 1990s the Queen dealt a major blow to Scottish separatism when she made a simple statement to the effect that she was the Queen of all of Britain. How you feel about that outcome might vary, but from my distance it did seem that she had considerable influence on the eventual voting.

Maybe she doesn't want her summer house in another country;-)

Besides, Scotland out of the Union means instant national bankruptcy and massive cuts in benefits and public jobs. There just isn't enough of a private sector economy, tartan mills and kilt shops notwithstanding.

[Lallans]

I'm actually starting to experience how our highland friend Jock Scott must feel at times, and I'm not even Scottish.