I don't give a flying fuck about them. the biggest leeches in the country I live in.

Im a Canadian born Brit, I love the royal family, don't ask me why though, when they visit our city here (Victoria) everyone gets so excited. I love that Prince Harry is marrying Meghan Markle (sorry i may have spelled her name wrong), as she is so sweet and nice, like Harry. The younger royals are more in tune with reality, thanks to Princess Diana, the mother of the two prince's. anyway, I can't explain why Im such a fan, I just am.

I am a very proud Englishman and a very proud Briton, but not a royalist. I like the people in the royal family and I think they come across very well, but the idea that in a society you say, oh by the way, this family here, we will all chip in so that they can live a life of pure luxury. This does not seem like a rational thing to do. When the royal family first started it was for political reasons, now this is no longer the case. Not sure it is possible, but I would look at finding a way to blend them back in to society

People need to believe in things, we probably value the royals more than the british do, the USA has the Kennedeys and other political families they follow, in Oz, we got nothing, we tried with some sporting types, but no grey matter, we try with movie stars and pop idols only to find most are from overseas.

it is not that progressive . it used to be but the right is winning almost as well as in the states. it is a tourist attraction foremost . they live just the way rich families around the world, hoard and share amongst themselves

It is not all doting, many of my friends on the left are republicans (I bet that phrase sounds odd to you). I like to shut them up with 2 words " president Thatcher " figure so reviled by the left that the very thought of her clinging to power any longer than she did sends shudders. Personally I go for a more pragmatic approach as do most. If it ain`t broke? A lot is made of her tourist value but she does have other advantages too. As head of state for all this time I cannot think of any other public figure worldwide that has been that scandal free (family does not count). As an a-political head of state she is rather like a chairperson that holds no power unless a constitutional crisis forces her to make a decision. (Incidentally the monarchy has, when pushed always gone in favor of reform). Although she wields no power, we do not know what goes on in her private meetings. She consults with the PM once a month, all state visits require an audience. Consequently she has met everyone from Churchill, JFK, Mandela, Thatcher (rumor has it she despised her), Nixon, De Gaul, Gorbachev you name it from the great and good to the lowly bridge operator. Imagine if Trump had to talk once a month with someone who had that kind of experience? These are all very practical reasons. Mostly she exudes a sense of duty. A word not fashionable nowadays but duty is what drives her. Her father died an early death because of it. She remains a constant in an ever changing world. For all the faults of a feudal system, they pale into insignificance when we look at republics such as France, Germany or Italy. All of which have had major constitutional crisis.

The hitchhiker's guide has a part where they talk of the president of the galaxy. " Anyone who would actually want the job would be the least suitable for it. " Short of just appointing someone at random having a monarch is the next best thing.

Incidentally I worked with a Bulgarian a few years back. When the wall came down their hereditary king volunteered to stand as president. On the condition that he would only serve 1 term and renounce any claim the to throne. So I asked the guy what it was like? He said " Well he was ok at 1st but after a while he ended up in Spain. PLayboying with Juan Carlos but compared to all the corrupt bastards we have had since. He was not that bad ".

As an Australian who therefore also shares the British monarchy as our head of state, the biggest argument in the republican referendum and one of the reasons it failed was nobody could agree on an acceptable alternative. They at least are raised with the concept of noblesse oblige (privilege entails responsibility) not money talks. Still some right twats amongst them but on the whole they do their duty which is praiseworthy.

Once I heard the monarchy brings more money to the UK than all other resources combined.

Can't speak for that many but from my experience many in the UK are not fans of the aristocracy. "And all we get is pictures of Lord and Lady Muck" from 'Pills and Soap' by Elvis Costello.

Not being part of the UK, I don't dare speak for any of them. However, I can see where maintaining the monarchy does present some semblance of stability and national unity, even if it's an illusion at times. That can be comforting to many, and somewhat beneficial when the world seems in chaos. WWII springs immediately to mind. An awful lot of the British were bolstered and comforted by the Royal Family and how they comported themselves during the worst days of the war. In the US, we elected FDR three times for much the same reasons.

I wouldn't say "doting admiration" is the norm - there are very fervent supporters of the monarchy who flag wave at any opportunity but the majority probably just see them as fairly benign celebrities and a national symbol. They do little harm and their presence probably generates quite a lot of tourist income. There are also lots of people who dislike them intensely and would prefer a republic but I really don't want my country's representative to be just another elected politician. I'd rather have a politically independent figure-head who exists solely to promote the country and try to do good things.

It's an english thing.

Hi there, I am a Kiwi, born and bred in New Zealand. The British monarchy is MY monarchy too. Queen Elizabeth epitomises all the qualities that are good in this world. Now perhaps you might tell me why there is such a doting admiration in USA for... celebs? The Kardashians for example? I sure know where I would prefer my own "doting admiration" to go.