Prince Philip 1921-2021

[Richard Barrett]

In 1988 he was quoted thus:

"In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, to contribute something to solving overpopulation."

I think that makes clear pretty much all I have to say about this individual.

[ahinton]

In 1988 he was quoted thus:

"In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, to contribute something to solving overpopulation."

I think that makes clear pretty much all I have to say about this individual.

Yet the deadly virus is already here but he's now departed; clearly, he didn't get that one right...

[johncorrigan]

BBC Radio 6 Music is playing what I can only describe as light meditative music - no punk, rap or death metal so far, and the always reliable Gideon Coe is turning up every few tracks to give the impression that someone is around putting the needle on the record. Better than the news, I suppose...don't imagine that Iggy Pop's show will be on this evening.

[Ein Heldenleben]

I am quite shocked by the out-pouring of grief for the passing of the Duke of Edinburgh. I have never understood why quite so many unquestioningly held him in such high esteem and had always considered him to be something of an embarrassment for this country. He was notorious for his "gaffs" which constantly amused readers of newspapers like the Mail and The Express but which should not be excused for being anything other than the racist vitriol they were.

I think that the DoE lived long enough to appreciate his own irrelevance and the accusations of racism that were recently sensationally exposed by the interview with Harry & Meghan are indicative of how accepting the British are of the royal family and slow to judge. The Duke spent his formative years in the milieu of Right Wing politics in the 1930s and at a time was royals and aristocracy thought it acceptable to rub shoulders with fascists. He was a product of his time which, thankfully, has now passed.

I feel sorry for the Queen having lost her partner after such a long time but my sympathy for these people can only go so far. It is staggering to someone to have been a head of state for nearly 70 years and equally staggering to have been so ineffectual and pointless for all of that time. She has achieved a fraction of what someone like Greta Thunberg has done in only a matter of years.

I think that common sense has started to prevail and that more and more people are seeing these privileged people not only as increasingly irrelevant but also increasingly problematic. There has been a lot in the press regarding many of the immediate members of the royal family which is deeply troubling, whether it is Harry, Meghan or Andrew. Unfortunately, our politicians have almost been complicit and even a supposed radical like Jeremy Corbyn's best offer of questioning their relevance is a timid and meek comment about "could do better." I would like to think that, one day, the British people (or even those from our former "colonies") will hold the Windsors to account.

I think a great many people in this country hold him in high regard not least for his courage in World War 2 which was a war against the Fascism you rightly decry.

[Bryn]

In 1988 he was quoted thus:

"In the event that I am reincarnated, I would like to return as a deadly virus, to contribute something to solving overpopulation."

I think that makes clear pretty much all I have to say about this individual.

Back in the early 1970s, I worked with a 'hard ecologist', at the Centre for Overseas Pest Research, who made similar proclamations. His trope was after the like of "perhaps we should abandon this research and let the locusts bring about mass starvation to reduce the human population polluting the planet". He was after the shock effect, too.

[teamsaint]

BBC Radio 6 Music is playing what I can only describe as light meditative music - no punk, rap or death metal so far, and the always reliable Gideon Coe is turning up every few tracks to give the impression that someone is around putting the needle on the record. Better than the news, I suppose...don't imagine that Iggy Pop's show will be on this evening.

I have managed to avoid the broadcast media today, having been busy fielding calls from the nation’s book retailers anxious to get hold of extra stock of our book about the Prince.
The idea that 6 Music is marking the occasion in the way that you tell us strikes me as truly remarkable, even by British standards of deference to the royals.

[Joseph K]

I think a great many people in this country hold him in high regard not least for his courage in World War 2 which was a war against the Fascism you rightly decry.

Yes, many people were courageous in WWII - my maternal grandfather for example. After that, all you're left with is an old man with no distinguishing achievements whatsoever, as far as I know.

It's very sad that people are still impressed by this ludicrous feudal throwback whose wealth was essentially stolen.

[Bryn]

Yes, many people were courageous in WWII - my maternal grandfather for example. After that, all you're left with is an old man with no distinguishing achievements whatsoever, as far as I know.

It's very sad that people are still impressed by this ludicrous feudal throwback whose wealth was essentially stolen.

Yeah. The DoE Award Scheme, the WWF . . . nothing of any real significance. Sure, the current fuss is distinctly overblown but so is the reaction of his detractors.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Yeah. The DoE Award Scheme, the WWF . . . nothing of any real significance.

Yes he was a conservationist and mindful of the environment way before Greta arrived on the scene. A much more complex man than some (including those on those on this forum) give him credit for.

[Cockney Sparrow]

After the Norman Conquest the King owned the land - all of it, and any person who held land, did it with defined rights granted by the King - which could be revoked. Blame the Normans, seek reparations for the Anglo Saxons and the British tribes on the fringes etc etc.

Nowadays the rights of the Monarch to property are greatly denuded, but I don't think they stole what they have from anyone. I understand that there are plenty of people who think the Monarchy should be abolished and their property confiscated, but I've not seen much evidence of a political party standing on that policy, even less of getting votes. IIRC those masters of trimming to their electorate, the SNP, ditched their anti Monarchist policy position (although I might be wrong on that).

To my mind the principal benefit these days is to keep politicians out of the role of Head of State - Salmond, Cameron, Blair , (enter name of your pet hate figure :- ............................)..

[Joseph K]

Nowadays the rights of the Monarch to property are greatly denuded, but I don't think they stole what they have from anyone. ..

Did they save up their wages until they could buy those Crown Jewels??

[ardcarp]

Not wishing disrespect for anyone, I do hope our monarchy will...in the not too distant future....be replaced by a Bicycle Monarchy....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bicycle_monarchy

...if, that is, we have to have one at all. As far as owning property is concerned, the only thing I know is that The Duchy of Cornwall owns lots, including the fundus of rivers. Whether this income goes to Charles's personal bank account I don't know.

It's a pity the word 'republican' has come to have a bad reputation. Discuss.

[teamsaint]

Did they save up their wages until they could buy those Crown Jewels??

Well its odd isn’t it ? There is a continuing discussion about various other forms of property and how they were acquired,often a very long time ago, but not so much with the crown.

[french frank]

To my mind the principal benefit these days is to keep politicians out of the role of Head of State - Salmond, Cameron, Blair , (enter name of your pet hate figure :- ............................)..

And more or less any of the world's dictators, fairly elected or not.

[teamsaint]

Ooh look, a false binary.....

The head of state does not have to be either a member of a privileged hereditary elite, or a corrupt politician.
In fact it should be neither. Very straightforward.