The real problem with a constitutional monarchy is this poor sod, whose life choices are severely curtailed by it. #nokings - ThreadSky

spinninghugo.bsky.social • 7 days ago

The real problem with a constitutional monarchy is this poor sod, whose life choices are severely curtailed by it.

#nokings

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karenroberts.bsky.social•7 days ago

Definitely. It's such a cruel system.

northamptonian.bsky.social•7 days ago

There are occasional conversations about how damaged the royal family are because they’re the royal family. Possibly insufficient conversations. No wonder Harry wanted out.

redneeraj.bsky.social•7 days ago

The heir at least has a good chance of acting out their role. The spares once the succession is guaranteed will get discarded, undermined and if they don’t break, they are exiled. Primogeniture is a terrible way to run a family (never mind a country).

centristmum.bsky.social•7 days ago

I actually think these two are even worse off - all the restrictions and no clear role at the end of it. But you're right that the best argument against the monarchy is Rawlsian

robertsaunders.bsky.social•7 days ago

I've thought for a long time that the monarchy is most likely to end in Britain, not because of pressure from republicans, but because the royals themselves are no longer willing to endure the life it imposes.

giffordhead.co.uk•7 days ago

I'd be surprised if one of them in each generation wouldn't want to keep it going. After all, it is quite easy for an individual to opt out and retain a life of unimaginable wealth for most of us. See, eg, Prince Harry or Edward VIII.

centristmum.bsky.social•7 days ago

Well except they can't really can they. Harry clearly can't because the press won't let him and the wider institution want to do a punishment beating to keep the rest in line (he's also made some terrible choices here but they aren't the only reason he's wound up stuck)

simonwhiteley6.bsky.social•7 days ago

The spare is the problem- unanswered,

niallsmith.bsky.social•7 days ago

Yes. Reminds me of that Hilary Mantel piece in the LRB where she basically argues the same.

Specifically, I think she thought/hoped eventually no one would want to be a womb on legs to produce the next heir

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