Interesting that the 2 antipodeans on the site are practically the only ones admitting to be royalist !!!
1 Like
The monarchy is a bit of an outdated institution but probably does no harm.
However our antiquated upper house and the mechanism of appointment to it is no longer fit for (any) purpose - it should go.
In which case the monarchy pretty much needs to go along with it.
1 Like
I just didn’t see any need to enter the discussion. 
Come on fess up are you an Antipodean too? 
1 Like
I don’t know if I’m a Royalist or not - though I prefer the British system to having a (political) President - because I’ve only lived as a subject of one Queen.
I admit to admiring her greatly.
If her son does 1/10 of as good a job as she has, I’ll be content.
2 Likes
But the big question is ….
What on earth has this got do with “Surviving in France” ??
3 Likes
Regardless of your political stand point, I think we’ll all find that The Queen will be ‘retiring’ in the next few weeks…
Good point, well made. I’m here to find out how to survive in France as I move there next year…
I think there are 2 answers to this question…
First, and most importantly, within the bounds of mutual respect and etiquette, the site is pretty open and democratic - anybody can start a thread on anything. If the members don’t find it relevant it will quickly sink into oblivion - but there are no arbiters other than ourselves collectively of relevance to life in France.
But the second is more interesting. From time to time people looking only for practical advice complain about discussions of politics, etc - but anglophones surviving, or rather thriving in France is actually more about grasping cultural than practical differences - such as the differences between royalists and republicans. The 17th-century English revolution - or revolutions if you count 1688 - were well and truly buried by later re-mythologising of the monarchy, but the French revolutions of the 18th-19th centuries are still shaping influences of life in France.
2 Likes
When you said basically the same thing back in March on another topic…
…various people explained that while most topics are in fact about moving to and living in France there are also general discussion threads not strictly to do with moving to and living in France which are highlighted as such as you can see using the example of this thread…
…as, well, life, and this forum may be pretty boring if all anyone ever spoke about was coming to France, and there would probably be less to say. As living breathing human beings with lives and thoughts and interests it doesn’t seem out of the question for people to discuss other things as long as it is signposted as such, this is a discussion forum after all, not a strictly factual reference text.
9 Likes
For some of us this is the only anglophone contact we have…so a small dose of language humour and culture is actually part of Surviving France. I could manage without it, but a nice addition to the day.
Anyway many of our French friends are ardent royalists and don’t wish the discuss the demise of the Royal house of Windsor.
1 Like
After toughing it out for years since making my home here with no one else Anglo (and particularly British) nearby, finding Survive France one day whilst looking to understand the latest turn in French bureaucracy, has come as a relief. I’ve discovered I’m both more and less British than I thought I was.
2 Likes
And as there has been nothing in the press for 48 hours she is probably already dead!
Surprisingly she’s been spotted driving near the Windsor Estate today according to the BBC.
We all remember those photos of Philip in the back of the car leaving hospital looking rather… ‘post living’… 
1 Like
An even bigger question is why not just scroll on by if a topic doesn’t interest you?
2 Likes
I think I feel ambivalent about living in a monarchy – what harm has the Queen done to me – none, I think. I’m part of it, from birth.
Deep inside me though lies an anarchist as I would never bow or curtsy to anyone expecting me to do so, but then, I may give a nod of the head to the Queen out of friendly politeness, not wanting to upset.
I was always unsure however about what to do at the end of a film in the cinema back in the days. Do you remember that at the end of a film, ‘God Save the Queen’ would be played, when you were expected to stand until it ended?
I was embarrassed about what to do as so many people started rising from their seats as the credits at the end of the film started to role, hurrying themselves towards the exits, to avoid the national anthem.
I they abdicate they do so for themselves and their offspring. Not an option
Last time I went to the Flicks the national anthem was played, don’t they still?
Surely post brexit and re acquiring Sovereignty it should be the law to be played.
I seem to remember back in the day it was played when television came to a close for the evening. No chance now with 24 hour viewing.
On Christmas day my dear old dad would make us stand at 3pm when the Queen addressed the nation, Respect.
1 Like
In short no.
A little more explanation, however.
The Monarch does not retire, they die or abdicate.
What has been happening and will probably increase is an off-load of duties or deputation to other senior members of the Royal family.
I reckon she will keep with the PM weekly audience so she can guide/advise the PM based upon her vast experience and I also the daily red boxes although this might be shoved, albeit in part, over to the PofW in preparation for when he has to take over at that unfortunate time
1 Like