To The New Royal Family:

[RTHolmes]

the monarch is still the ultimate power in the UK, having extensive powers such as;

opening and dissolving parliament,
choosing the prime minister,
declaring war,
forming treaties etc.

parliamentary bills can only become law with the consent of the monarch.


however it has become tradition for the monarch to heed advice on these matters from the parliament or government, because the instant they dont, they will be deposed and a republic formed.

[Muzzy]

Think of it this way....if you took most of the president's ceremonial duties (public appearances, hospital openings, bestowing medals and stuff) and gave them to somebody else, that would be how the monarchy functions.  The monarchy is pretty much symbolic, but it's as symbolic as the flag, the monuments in DC and the pledge of allegiance.  Removing it would be as much a travesty as removing any of those American symbols, and disrespecting it is just as wrong, even if you happen to be from another country.

[jdbecks]

the monarch is still the ultimate power in the UK, having extensive powers such as;

opening and dissolving parliament,
choosing the prime minister,
declaring war,
forming treaties etc.

its all tradition now, she is just a figure head.

She does none of the above,

[Muzzy]

its all tradition now, she is just a figure head.

She does none of the above,

Uh actually she does, but most of her political duties are done under the "advisement" of parliament.  She doesn't make the political decisions but it's legally necessary for her to sign off on them.

[soda72]

I think most Americans who watched the wedding are caught up in the romanticism of it.  I was talking with my Mother yesterday, and she actually got up at 4:00am to watch the wedding live.  Her reasons for watching was because she admired Princess Diana and got caught into the whole story.  So the royals are now her very own 'Truman show'.  Who needs soap opera's anymore?

 

[jimson]

Thanks for the info.

As popular and as much to do as it has generated here in the states, I'd say it is a tradition still respected, even by the American majority.

  to the UK, the best Ally we will ever have.

[RTHolmes]

its all tradition now, she is just a figure head.

She does none of the above,

read my last para

[crazyivan]

Well I thought it was a wonderful and joyous occasion but I didnt expect you Colonials to appreciate heritage and tradition that goes back a 1,000 years

Ahhhhhh

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ROYAL WANKAH'S

[crazyivan]

Could have waited until the night...

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It's good to be the king!

[FiLtH]

The Monarchy is Britains image. Its the badge. Disbanding the Monarchy, would be akin to destroying the Statue of Liberty.

 Plawranc I totally understand your love of the culture and tradition. As an American Id rather see the Queen over there than some dude in a turbin. But you gotta understand somethin about us Americans...If somethin we love is destroyed, we get pissed, blow up something of the enemy's, and rebuild what we lost to a better state than what it was before.

  The whole idea of bowing to any other human however, doesnt sit well with most of us. Congrats on the whole thing though, best wishes etc.

[ScottyK]

 while watching TODAY on NBC before the 1st kiss, i swear i heard them talk about Grapevine TX, that the entire town was watching. HTC watching just to see the Flyover?

[Reaper90]

Britain is our greatest Friend and Ally; one of very few nations that has stood with us through thick and thin, and backed us even when it wasn't politic to do so.  Britain is beyond reproach from decent Americans.

THIS.

 

[Reaper90]

Could have waited until the night...

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WINNER.

[/thread]

[Reaper90]

I didn't know there would be a flyover. That was an awesome surprise!

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The greatest joke of it all is the so called "Royal Wedding" was just an excuse to get a Lanc, a Spifire, and a Hurri together and go buzzing about on TV...

It was all really about the flyover......

[100Coogn]

Here here Coogan. Hey while your out, would you mind stopping by the store and picking up a box of Tampons for me?

If you're having a ruff time I will...

Coogan.