Why do Brits love the royals so much?

[JoelR]

I'm curious why Brits love the royal family so much and follow all of its gossip?  

I know I live in the USA and we don't have anything similar, but it seems like the British news and tabloids are fixated on a family that doesn't have that much impact on the actual UK?  

[majikthis]

What actually fascinates me more is why Americans love the British royals so much. In a  country so proud of its democratic traditions (including the War of Independence against England)  tons of people hang on every step the royals make. Prince William sneezes, and it makes the headlines even on CNN or in the NYT.

 

[tbill]

What I always found very humorous is that for a number of years (late 90's / early 2000's), the main July 4 fireworks display over downtown Houston was sponsored by .....

BP!

Now is it just me, or is there some irony there?

(Sorry if I wondered off-topic, @JoelR)

 

Edited February 11, 2019 by tbill

[Sammy]

I am not a Brit, so you’d have to ask one of them to be sure but let me put it this way:

In Belgium we have a King too. Of course the whole situation is not as big in the news as in UK probably but still news about the royal family do happen. 

I think a royal family is a way to show your love for the country: The family represents your country and if you’re a happy citizen, you may be proud to be a resident of that country. As the royal family is not political active, they do not create bad sentiments of any political believe.

So, for me it’s some sort of patriotism. 🇧🇪

A similar thing holds for you US citizens with showing your flag at every possible occasion. 😄

 

[Doug]

Speaking as a Brit, I think @Sammy  is correct. We were stuck with the Royals always have been, but now that the Royals have started doing more in public life, they have earned our respect. The catalyst for this was (imho) Princess Diana who did much to bring the Royals favourably into the public eye.

Of course their are times when we don't agree with them but for the most part, they are very much respected.

Speaking for myself, I would say I have more respect for the Royals than the present American President. That however is another can of worms I have no right to comment on, or open!

 

[macnice]

Hmmm. Mac - who is a Brit - doesn't follow the Royals or their gossip.  He thinks they cost too much.  He'd prefer a much leaner model - more like the Scandinavian Royals. Or even a Republic - Ireland does just fine. 

OK, now I've said this, I'll probably be sent to the Tower (of London)😱 😁

[JoelR]

19 hours ago, majikthis said:

What actually fascinates me more is why Americans love the British royals so much. In a  country so proud of its democratic traditions (including the War of Independence against England)  tons of people hang on every step the royals make. Prince William sneezes, and it makes the headlines even on CNN or in the NYT.

 

That ... Is true.  We need to borrow other country's monarchy because, you  know, we're such a monarchy loving nation LOL

Also, didn't America split from the Crown? Pretty sure I read something about that in my history books.  (Joking here! 😀)

12 hours ago, tbill said:

What I always found very humorous is that for a number of years (late 90's / early 2000's), the main July 4 fireworks display over downtown Houston was sponsored by .....

BP!

Now is it just me, or is there some irony there?

(Sorry if I wondered off-topic, @JoelR)

 

For those of you who don't know Oil & Gas, @tbill reference for BP is for British Petroleum trying to sponsor an American independence day parade that celebrates our independence from ... Britain! 

[JoelR]

7 hours ago, Doug said:

Speaking as a Bri

I thought you were Dutch / Netherlands. Did you sneak into Britain? 😲😊

[Doug]

4 hours ago, JoelR said:

I thought you were Dutch / Netherlands. Did you sneak into Britain? 😲😊

No, I am British I just live and work in Holland. I have little to do with Britain in fact I haven't been back for years.

[Sammy]

7 hours ago, Doug said:

No, I am British I just live and work in Holland. I have little to do with Britain in fact I haven't been back for years.

So you’re probably following the Brexit with a big eye, am I right?

[Doug]

2 hours ago, Sammy said:

So you’re probably following the Brexit with a big eye, am I right?

No not really. Due to complete lack of information from the Brit Government, and their continual squabbles, I have really rather lost interest in what Britain does.

Just for the record I voted to stay, but I will guarantee that IF Brexit doesn't happen (unlikely) then there will be thousands of the electorate saying "Well I never voted to stay!"

[R.R.]

23 hours ago, macnice said:

Hmmm. Mac - who is a Brit - doesn't follow the Royals or their gossip.  He thinks they cost too much.  He'd prefer a much leaner model - more like the Scandinavian Royals. Or even a Republic - Ireland does just fine. 

OK, now I've said this, I'll probably be sent to the Tower (of London)😱 😁

No matter who runs the Kingdom of Sweden, Conservatives or Socialists, we always have the King and his family to rely on. They do not have official power, but we all listen. It is about history glamour and PR. Costs? yes but a President will not come cheap either.

Who do you think is the winner,  the Prins (Carl-Philip) or the King (Donald Trump)