Royal Wedding.

[Florestan]

I think one of the main problems and root causes of the scandals in the BRitish royalty is the longevity of the Queen. I think she should have abdicated long, long ago in favor of Charles and he in turn should have abdicated in favor of William. 

[The new erato]

Probably right. Her children and grandchildren are probably not prime examples of royalty (I mean royal families seldom came to power by being particularly inteligent and empatic, and inbreeding certainly didn't help), but the longer they go without assuming office, the more rot sets in.

[The new erato]

I wouldn't hold my breath.

The sad fact is that if Fridtjof Nansen had been willing, Norway would have been a republic. When he said no, they had to scourge the unemployment queues and ended up with an out of work Danish prince.

That said; I hold quite a bit of respect for the Norwegian royalty as persons. We could have done far worse. I'm just as concerned about the "gilded cage" these persons are born into, and the sad fact that when somebody is obviously unfit, there are no exits.

[vandermolen]

I think it's a bad-taste publicity stunt. If they really wanted to have nothing to do with the Royal Family anymore they would have kept a low profile and lived their life in tranquility. What they did instead was throwing bombs all around them. I'm sure that the RF is dysfunctional but a spoiled brat and an attention seeking lass are not going to fix it.

That's a good point.

[The new erato]

Sitting in a multimillion dollar interview and complaining about how badly they've been treatedm just confirms my general opinion that being born into that much wealth and unearned privileges arent't good for any person.

[Florestan]

Probably right. Her children and grandchildren are probably not prime examples of royalty (I mean royal families seldom came to power by being particularly inteligent and empatic, and inbreeding certainly didn't help), but the longer they go without assuming office, the more rot sets in.

Exactly.

[Florestan]

Sitting in a multimillion dollar interview and complaining about how badly they've been treatedm just confirms my general opinion that being born into that much wealth and unearned privileges arent't good for any person.

This, too.

[MusicTurner]

Sitting in a multimillion dollar interview and complaining about how badly they've been treated just confirms my general opinion that being born into that much wealth and unearned privileges arent't good for any person.

I'd tend to go along with this ... can't say that these people seem particularly interesting either, and they live in a different sphere from ours.

[milk]

Sitting in a multimillion dollar interview and complaining about how badly they've been treatedm just confirms my general opinion that being born into that much wealth and unearned privileges arent't good for any person.

They should thank their lucky stars they got out. I live in Japan where I think it's probably even worse and I doubt they'd let you out, much less marry who you want.

[Florestan]

The sad fact is that if Fridtjof Nansen had been willing, Norway would have been a republic. When he said no, they had to scourge the unemployment queues and ended up with an out of work Danish prince.

Imo, a comstitutional monarchy with a purely  ceremonial king/queen is a republic in all but name and has none of the latter's problems.

That said; I hold quite a bit of respect for the Norwegian royalty as persons. We could have done far worse. I'm just as concerned about the "gilded cage" these persons are born into, and the sad fact that when somebody is obviously unfit, there are no exits.

What do you mean by "obviously unfit"?

[The new erato]

Charles for example.

[Florestan]

Charles for example.

How and why is Charles "obviously unfit" for being king?

[vandermolen]

I've always felt rather sympathetic to Charles. The big disaster for him was not marrying Camilla in the first place. I suspect that he'll be a good and dutiful King.

[Florestan]

I've always felt rather sympathetic to Charles. The big disaster for him was not marrying Camilla in the first place. I suspect that he'll be a good and dutiful King.

My thoughts exactly. He has his flaws and sins --- just like we all have --- but I see nothing, absolutely nothing at all in his public behavior or personal life that would make him "obviously unfit" for the office.

Imo the only case of obvious unfitness is a clinically certified mental disease, but I'm sure both UK and Norway (or any other constitutional monarchy for that matter) have the constitutional and legal mechanisms to deal with such a situation.

[steve ridgway]

I've always felt rather sympathetic to Charles. The big disaster for him was not marrying Camilla in the first place. I suspect that he'll be a good and dutiful King.

Yes, Charles and William look like they'll stick to the rules.

[pjme]

I suspect that he'll be a good and dutiful King.

But does Great Britain really need that?

[The new erato]

Emotionally mature would do it for a king. The Diana debacle clearly shows that he isn't. Stick to the rules don't suffice and in that case he would still be married to Diana. It's the bending of the rules that shows a Human side that makes the Norwegian royalty loved.

[Florestan]

Emotionally mature would do it for a king. The Diana debacle clearly shows that he isn't.

I really don't get your point. Charles was pressured into marrying Diana and she was pressured into marrying him. They didn't get along well and eventually separated. Happens everywhere, all the time. What debacle are you talking about?

[vandermolen]

I really don't get your point. Charles was pressured into marrying Diana and she was pressured into marrying him. They didn't get along well and eventually separated. Happens everywhere, all the time. What debacle are you talking about?

I agree - they were both victims.

[Florestan]

I agree - they were both victims.

Not least of the tabloid press.