Should Royalty be more approachable?

Question

The King & Queen of Spain are highly revered. They are much closer to their subjects (the people) than the Royal family of the UK. Could the Queen be more approachable than the almost untouchable she is at present.

Answer 1

That would be very nice,but Elizabeth is a shy person,I think and not comfortable with making small talk.She was also raised to be a very formal and correct lady.

The Spanish Royals are terrific,aren't they?

Answer 2

no, 'touchy, feely' just aint the English way

Answer 3

You cannot make people different than the way they are.  Some members of the royal family are more touchy feely than others.  Princess Diana, for instance, was touchy feely enough for twenty I should think.

Answer 4

The Scandinavian royals are much more democratic in outlook, and much more approachable.

On the other hand, it's easier for them - they have no great concerns about security, as their countries have not made enemies of half the world by clinging to America's coat tails.

Answer 5

One never knows what kind of personality lurks in a large crowd.  would you want people grabbing at you?  Some people get confused and cannot tell the difference between shyness, snobbery, and prudence.  I believe that QE2 is both shy and prudent when it comes to being approachable.

Answer 6

Yes!

I totally agree with your point about the Spanish, Rafael Nadal shook the royal prince of spains hand when he won wimbledon and kissed his wife (princess?)

The English Queen always wears velvet gloves if she does shake our hands.

Answer 7

Very good question!

When Princes Harry and William were interviewed before the Concert For Diana they organised, people commented on that video by saying the Princes were "too lax", "too casual" etc. etc. I´ve read a sort of review about that interview in which the author suggested that this sort of relaxed attitude will one day be the downfall of British Royalty.

As somebody correctly stated, "touchy feely" isn´t really the British way. People respect the Queen for being as "untouchable" as she is. Yes, it is true - they adored Princess Di for being more approachable, but it is the difference, it is the keeping-up of old traditions and completely artificial out-of-this-world mannerism that most(!) people want.

Remind you, people adore Jane Austen novels for the same kind of artificial mannerism. I daresay that´s a pretty good comparison. ;)

Answer 8

Are you sure the Borbones (royal family in Spain) are that approachable?

Because they are not.

I don't think royalty should be approachable.

For me, they are like those relics at museums.

You observe, appreciate, criticize them and move on to the next thing.

Personally, I find monarchy completely obsolete.

Though, I must confess it's fun reading about them.

Answer 9

I think that it should not be changed. I think that the only people that should be able to approach a royal would need to be there family. Which would be the other Princes and Princesses. I think that if you were to allow people to be able to mingle more freely with the Royals you would have more problems. People could do an assasination attemp. Or they could also attempt to kidnap a Royal to extort money like they did with Princess Anne. So that would be a very bad idea. You should read more in History.

As of right now, if you even get too close to the Queen of England you could go to jail. One man was questioned when he touched Queen Elizabeth II's back. He was trying to help her up the stairs. But the government were very pissed. Trust me that is a bad idea!!!!

Answer 10

Security, not to mention the exhaustion of constantly having to socialist with .... how many of us mere commoners!  The mystery of being Royal is what keeps us interested and keeps them in their role.  I personally think we should be informed but they must be allowed to live a private life with all the dignity that goes with it.  I say keep it as it is but also keep the press away when it is their private time.

Answer 11

I would think that would be a generational question. It would seem pretty rude to try to change things after five decades. I assume that Charles shakes hands.

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I think that many politicians will tell you that this is a suprisingly hazardous part of the job. It's physically very dangerous to touch thousands of people. Some people grab too hard, you have a constant threat of disease, and personal security is at risk with the crazy percentage. At best, the repetive motion creates problems.

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If you mean approachable in the sense that they open up about their feelings, fears, and secrets it should be a personal choice. I personally would find it annoying if Oprah Winfrey were queen.