[GillTeepbew]

4 Monarchies in the top 5.

[7UENf0w7]

Countries with royalty -

• Al-Abbasi Nobel Family
• Belgian Royal Family
• Royal Family of Bhutan
• British Royal Family
• Qatari Royal Family
• Bahraini Royal Family
• Canadian Royal Family
• Danish Royal Family
• Dutch Royal Family
• Jamaican Royal Family (House of Windsor) - 'Nuff said! -
• Japanese Imperial Family
• Princely Family of Liechtenstein
• Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg

• Kingitanga - The Maori King Movement
• Monegasque Princely Family
• Norwegian Royal Family
• Spanish Royal Family
• Swedish Royal Family
• Princely Family of Schwarzenberg (mediatised)
• Saudi Royal Family
• Thai Royal Family
• Zulu Royal Family
• House of Tupou

[OccumCymn]

the old sea hag

Sorry, but I have to take a breather.

[rsdefwgxvcfdts]

^There are many more countries than that "with Royalty".

And please note that there is a difference between countries with royal families and countries with reigning monarchies.

[googlopharm]

These are modern, enlightened, socially advanced countries ... and their "subjects" have a social-safety net that is guaranteed at birth.

"born better than others" indeed. So? Democracy index, social safety nets, blah blah blah. As I said, the idea of royal blood is BS.

[MedicineForUs]

... there is a difference between countries with royal families and countries with reigning monarchies.

Italy, while no longer ruled by a monarchy, has more Royals than they know what to do with

A good place to delve into the plusses and minuses of passing leadership down through the blood might be found HERE

[ORDERCHEAPVIAGRASOFTWARE]

Deposed monarchy only counts to themselves.

[Arrectiff]

I, for one, am very pleased that Britain's monarchy is still prominent.

I am interested in history and military tradition, and there's something about British imperial history that I find particularly fascinating: the regimental system, Pax Britannica; the "imperial century"; Admiral Nelson's navy; "the sun never sets...", etc. The size and power of Britain less than a century ago was incredible - the largest empire in the history of the world - 14,000,000 sq. miles under dominion. America and New York have closely intertwined histories with Great Britain.

So I appreciate today's monarchy and the traditions, places and activities that come with it: the castles, estates, silver-helmeted dragoons, Queen's Own Highlanders bagpiping at the Edinburgh Tatoo. All that pomp and pageantry is fascinating, cool and romantic. If the Royal Family were abolished, you'd have a lot less of it.

Also, Prince Charles uses his money and influence to do a lot of good for UK architecture, urban planning and environment.

[klubneras]

Anyone who thinks that the US is free of people who think they are better than everyone else by virtue of their name/ breeding/ social status is sadly mistaken.

[ketNavatutt]

Would you take a bullet ie join the Army

for

1. The Queen

or

2. Your nation state.

Different things, see?

Besides, its all nonsense.

This guy should be the King of England. Do you see him getting upset?

Thats the difference. I actually think that Charles has this worked out, is more comfortable with himself and is rather cool about the whole thing compared with some of the others.

[rujeltaoser]

Britains Real Monarch

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0o7vD4uHsU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-dH7...eature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmBqc...e=channel_page

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cXA3...e=channel_page

[snunsebrugs]

Anyone who thinks that the US is free of people who think they are better than everyone else by virtue of their name/ breeding/ social status is sadly mistaken.

It's just a question of whether or not that is nationallly embraced and sanctified.

I think what MTG is getting on about is that this is an example of extreme pomp and circumstance that serves very little purpose in general.

I do not see it causing much of a kerfuffle, not compared to the Englisg MP skimming so much money away to pay for their own private expenses, but still it looks to be a needless, albeit comparitively small expense on behalf of the English people.

[beatrisio]

Side note: Ninja second time you've done it, its Britain and British not England and English. It very American to refer to Britain as England but Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish people are part of this country too.

As for the pomp British people enjoy it for the most part. The most recent survey I remember was 75% in favour of the Monarchy and only 15%~ for a republic. Its part of our identity and for that reason people go out in droves at any state occasion.

[Ternneowns]

"Extreme pomp" is also very asthetically beautiful. And the European Monarchies do it so well. My personal favorite though, is the Vatican in full gear.

By comparison, you guys have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7CT7mejyss&feature=fvst

[netamargr]

Hapsburgs did it the best. Check out the crypts in Vienna.

[HitAttetlyTek]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYzRL9YIswQ

[malishka1025]

Side note: Ninja second time you've done it, its Britain and British not England and English. It very American to refer to Britain as England but Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish people are part of this country too.

I really don't care.

Really.

As for the pomp British people enjoy it for the most part. The most recent survey I remember was 75% in favour of the Monarchy and only 15%~ for a republic. Its part of our identity and for that reason people go out in droves at any state occasion. I kow. I am not saying that they aren't. But there are many people in the world that favor silly pompous thnigs.

All you have to to is watch Prime Time in the US or reat the tabloids to realize this. People, in general, are stupid. Stupid people, in general, will support stupid things.

So if paying a few million a year to have this kid romp around at parties wearing a Nazi Costume and play Polo (another quintessentially useless endeavor) in the US, fine. It still serves no other purpose than the expensive entertainment of a brain-dead idological society that fixates on figureheads in the hopes that this somehow reflects some sort of fairy-tale fantasy of mythological "Regality".


Again, this is not isolated to just the English, Scottish, Irish, British, French, Italian, Indian, Swahilli, or South Philidelphans. This is a general human trait to idolize and fantasize, even if it actually costs you money to do so.

[trilochana.nejman]

"Extreme pomp" is also very asthetically beautiful. And the European Monarchies do it so well. My personal favorite though, is the Vatican in full gear.

Beautifully useless.

By comparison, you guys have the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I liked that when I was 10. I have not watched it since.

But whatever.

[gregmcal]

-Fellini rules!
For a moment, I thought I was watching a preview for season 2 of RuPaul's Drag Race!

[Gerribase]

I liked that when I was 10. I have not watched it since.

I'd immagine you more of a Tournament-of-Roses Parade kind a guy.