Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with monarchy

Is there a official work relationship between the Queen and the British PM?

falameufilho — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 21:37:19 -0800

Just wondering: is there any official situation where the British Prime Minister and the Queen must meet and/or relate in some manner? I know the heads of state/gov't are supposed to be independent, just wondering if there is a protocol for such things.

God save the queen

punkfloyd — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 09:05:27 -0800

In this day and age, why do England and other democracies continue with this whole monarchy thing? Seems a rather costly form of national pride. And why do you suppose (some) Americans like to hold up certain public figures as "our" royalty?

Curtsy for the Queen?

Asparagirl — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 15:01:07 -0800

What is the proper etiquette/protocol for Americans greeting or addressing non-American people of title? Does one say "Her Majesty" or "Your Highness" or "Lady So-and-So" or other formalities, if one comes from a country with egalitarian and anti-monarchist roots and beliefs, where the non-recognition of titles is even a part of the Constitution? How about the whole curtsying thing? Where is the line commonly drawn between being polite to someone and being true to personal and national values? I suspect that Americans will more likely use "Elton John" than "Sir Elton John", especially in print media. But what about the frequency with which we refer to "Lord Black" over "Conrad Black" or even "Mr. Black"? Or (incorrectly) calling her "Princess Diana"? We seem to be full of contradictions.

Furthermore, what do American presidents do when meeting a member of a royal family? Are they more solicitous when meeting a British royal, because of our "special relationship" with Great Britain, or do they take care to be more perfunct, because our existence as a nation is based on denial of their "Divine Right of Kings"?

(This question was inspired by the upcoming Charles and Camilla nuptials and their accompanying will-she-be-Queen hoo-ha, which made me curious. I have absolutely no contact with any royalty or peerage, and probably never will outside of 19th and early 20th century British novels.)

How to oust an unelected head of state?

Orange Goblin — Fri, 19 Nov 2004 02:59:34 -0800

If I lived in a country (mentioning no names, because I'm not sure if it is treason...) that had an unelected head of state, and whos position was based on the family they were born into, how would I go about getting rid of them, in any way other than the obvious one? I'm thinking some kind of political campaign, etc.

Is the Queen of England genetically related to William the Conqueror?

Pretty_Generic — Tue, 12 Oct 2004 02:45:29 -0800

Is the Queen of England genetically related to William the Conqueror?