Why was the British royal family not deposed?

Question

Why was the British royal family not deposed?

Answer 1

It was deposed during the English Civil War ... well, more than deposed as it was beheaded.  

It raises the problem of what (if anything) we put in its place.  Do we want a royal family that personifies certain traditions we hold dear, brings in tourist revenue, is a non-political head to whom armed services and police forces owe allegiance and who is, basically, unable to act independently of the will of parliament .... or do we want some politician whose main interest is in staying in power and who is swayed by personal interests and powerful pressure groups.  I have no particular country in mind.

I agree that having a royal family is a strange anachronism but, on balance, I think we are more comfortable with it than with any of the alternatives.  It is bad enough that we have to have a politician as prime minister.  I don't think we want any more.

Answer 2

Historically, a monarch had always ruled England and the current UK. It represents "tradition" and "culture", and the UK would not be the same without its monarchy. The three English civil wars between 1642 and 1651, actually brought the monarchy down and Charles II was behead as a result. This was the only time and last time England was ever a republic. The only reason why it did not stay that way was because people could not live without a "monarch". People started to question why they should obey the Parliament, and who gave them the "authority" to rule the country.

The English monarchy were seen as a "divine being", a representative of "God." They actually believed that "God" had sent them a monarch to guide over them. When Charles II was beheaded, people actually cried and were full of fear and remorse. People in modern time may not react this way as they did back in the 16th century, however, 70% of the British population actually voted that they love The Queen, and what she did for her country. The British people love her, The Queen and her family represents the British culture, and people want to preserve that tradition for many generations to come.

Answer 3

It was once, after the civil war, but was reinstated.  The British rapidly discovered that the alternative was a grumpy despot who banned Christmas.  Nobody's bothered trying it since.  Besides, it solves the problem of who to put on the stamps.

Answer 4

Why should they be???

Answer 5

the royals enforce their wealth, power, prestige and position thru the weapon of ostracization, so critics are silenced for fear of losing social position, economic opportunities, business opportunities and even their own job promotions. So there is no spoken public opposition, critics are silenced for fear of reprisals from others. The entire nation is held in that fear of ostracization and loss of social standing, and economic reprisals, so the brits just shut up.

And thus, there is not really free speech in britain. You just are said to "know better" than to advocate deposing these leeches on the public purse that brits have to pay for, or even abolishing the monarchy.

What ought to be done, as a first step, is not to abolish the monarchy but to depose the windsors for their crimes against Diana, and instead, make the house of Spencer, Diana's house, the royal house.

Answer 6

So Cromwell tried Republicianism and it didn't work. People, wake up! That was 400 hundred years ago, Crowmwell and his people were of an extremist religious sect. This is the 21st century and it's time we were treated as modern, free-thinking intelligent people. We need to get rid of these people and have the right to choose our Head of State, not have deeply flawed people foisted upon us.

Sometimes I despair of this country and the people clinging on to out-of-date institutions like the monarchy.

Answer 7

They were.

Oliver Cromwell overthrew the King in the 1600s and became a de facto Emperor.

The British people realised this was a bad state of affairs and the Royals were reinstated.

These days the Monarchy is merely symbolic and have no real power.

Answer 8

Beat's me we should have go rid of them years ago.

Answer 9

We have been there done that  read your history

Answer 10

orf with their heads????????

nah french had their revolution as did the russians, Not really our style would interfere with corrie and eastenders on the telly

Answer 11

Deposed by what? A president, no thank you.

After the despot Oliver Cromwell died we eventually compromised with the parlimentary system that exists today.

It ain't perfect but it works for the most of the time.

Answer 12

It was.

We lopped off Charlie I's head.

Then made such a mess of things we had to ask a Dutchman to come sort it out for us.

Answer 13

It's a tradition. The monarchy is a hard institution with a lot of political power.

Answer 14

Well, they were once, during the Civil War in the mid-seventeenth century.  Parliament fought the King and won.  King Charles I was executed, and his children fled into exile. Oliver Cromwell, who had risen to power during the later part of the Civil War, eventually became the virtual dictator of England, Lord Protector as they called him.  However, it all fell apart after his death, there was nobody adequate to succeed him, and so the monarchy, in the person of Charles II, was restored.

They haven't been deposed against since because we tried it once and didn't like it, and haven't felt like doing it again.

Answer 15

Give us a little more time - we are working on it!

Vive le Republic!

Answer 16

they were twice once by a commonwealth and once by Hanoverian kings

Answer 17

Cos it's a British tradition.  Anyway, people are born into money all the time - it's just another rich family to me really.  They dont effect my life in any way.

Answer 18

Here is a good reason in 2003-04 the royal family cost 40 million thats everything staffing, state visits, public engagements, and official entertainment and Property Services for the royal palace. Now in tourism and merchandise etc. they made for the country 170 million.

They are just a figure head and dont have any real power now where is the logic in getting rid of them?

Answer 19

I think because the British people love tradition, and all it stands for.... they don't want to give up something they've had for soo many years. And anyways, they did try, once, but, it didn't work out so well, and they discovered that all they really wanted was a little difference, not and all out change. Plus, the monarchs today are just another "rich" family, they're pretty much there to have faces to put on the stamp.

Answer 20

British people love to moan, but we have no serious intent of positive changes.

Answer 21

The royal family is part of our history. Cromwell did it once and it didn't work. so the royal family stays

Answer 22

they should be.....I wish I knew why they are still here..

Answer 23

Any significant constitutional event needs a reason TO happen, not a reason NOT TO happen. It was not deposed (except by Oliver Cromwell) because there was not a good enough reason to do so (ie an issue with the strong backing of both the ruling classes and the population). After it was deposed by Cromwell, they were reinstated because people realised that it was better to have a royal family with no real executive power than to risk a dictatorship by someone else. Basically the main purpose of the monarch is to stop the prime minister from becoming a dictator. It has worked so far.

Answer 24

,People will cling on to any tradition if they can get something out of it such as honours;ieKBE,CBE,OBE,MBE, and titles such as Earl,Lord and Sir.

Answer 25

Because deep down the people of Britain lov and respect the Royal family and the tradition they represent. As long as they earn their keep, we should keep them. Even if prince Charles comes across as a bit of a tosser, at least he,s a Woyal tosser.   Toodleoo.

Answer 26

True British people love the Queen and the royal family.

Answer 27

I can only conclude that the British people are happy living in what amounts to a pseudo democracy. Any country that does not have an elected head of state cannot claim to be a genuine democracy. Perhaps it's more a question of the fear of change.

Personally I believe the day will come when we have a choice. Strange this idea of patriotism which people attach to the royal family, especially when one considers Prince Philip is Greek and the queen of German descent.