The KIng and I: A Short History of the British Royal Family

How far back can we trace Royal lineage? How many monarchs have been executed, murdered, dethroned? Does the Monarchy have any real power? How rich are the monarchy? How popular are the Royal Family? Where do they get their legitimacy from? Where do they live? These questions and many more will be answered in this video.
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00:00 The Queen passes away
03:06 How far back can we trace the lineage of the Royal Family
04:35 Facts and stats about the Royal Family
08:38 The King is the head of state of these countries
08:57 How rich is the Royal Family?
09:49 Does the Monarchy hold any power?
11:59 Where does the Monarchy get its legitimacy from?
12:29 How popular are the Royal Family?
14:32 Why keep the Monarchy?
15:07 Why abolish the Monarchy?
16:26 Bad Monarchs (King Edward VIII)
20:11 What about the money?
21:38 What do you think?
Photo Credits
By From BBC- historical photo, possibly copyright of the German Government., Fair use, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?...
By Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-17964 / Pahl, Georg / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA (Archived link) - BEST ALL-TIME DIANA! (Archived link), CC BY-SA 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Richard III
By User:Isananni, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Buckingham palace
By Diliff - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Diliff - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Xandered811 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By Stuart Yeates from Oxford, UK - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By John Fielding - This file has been extracted from another file, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
The maginot line
By Goran tek-en, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Chambord
commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Palace Ducal
Par Jochen Jahnke, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
Von Ribbentrop
By Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H04810 / CC-BY-SA 3.0, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...
By XtoF - Own workMore of my work on my photoblog: www.xtof.photo, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index...

[@user-du7nd9ns5b]

You may teach everything! Languages, literature, history, geography, glottology, linguistics and so on... I would not be surprised if you recorded a video about physics or chemistry.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

If I did I think you would be disappointed but thanks for your vote of confidence.

[@baronderochemont8556]

Yes Gideon, you have to admit to yourself that you’re very good at making any subject (and, as we’ve seen, the Royalty) look interesting.

[@Candolad]

I experienced the same. A French friend in France sent me a text with his condolences, which I found strange, but I guess for an outsider it probably felt the right thing to do.

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Why the surprise? England's DNA is Franco Germanic. Read your history. I didn't even mention the Windors, the real celebrities of the Hanoverian House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

[@christianspanfellner3293]

Gideon, you held my attention the entire time, but WOW did you drop a bomb about Edward VIII! I didn’t see that coming. It puts a whole new spin on that part of British, and indeed, world history. What I found especially mind-boggling is how the military could still think it a good idea to have him inspect the Maginot Line.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

All this is well documented and much, much more that I couldn't cover in this video. Yes, I had the same question myself about his inspection of the Maginot line.

[@szabados1980]

Yes, for a reason, even the most intelligent people are mesmerised by far-fetched conspiracy theories. They sound so interesting and "modern" that they throw everything they've learnt out the window in an instant. We know there's no life on Mars but if somebody mildly convincing tells them there is, people will 100% believe there is.

[@christianspanfellner3293]

@@szabados1980 Come again? I'm not partial to conspiracy theories (quite the contrary), nor does Gideon strike me as someone who'd go about spreading them. But if you mean one shouldn't be too eager to believe everything that sounds compelling, you have a point.

[@szabados1980]

@@christianspanfellner3293 Yeah, come again. Even if you think your opinion is the only one that counts.

[@ffotograffydd]

Most of what was said about Edward VIII was true, but this video did slip slightly in to conspiracy theory territory.

[@iuliiashender]

Brian May would be a wonderful king! Thanks for the history lesson ❤! And greetings from Ukraine!

[@LetThemTalkTV]

King Brian I

[@HermanVonPetri]

His hair alone is worthy of the crown. And it would be perfectly poetic if he gets to play his own rendition of "God Save the Queen (King.)"

[@Middle-Road.Kim.K]

AND he's an astrophysicist!

[@nmarks]

From Queen to King! 😂

[@brigidsingleton1596]

I also thought of Sir Brian May as King though as he is in his seventies now, he probably would, like King Charles III not have too long a reign... Even Prince William will probably have a shortish reign, depending on how long Charles lives so, perhaps we will see., Or should I say, some will see Prince George take up the reins in the future... That's the problem about being in my Seventies now... I will not live to see how good a monarch King George VII if indeed he takes on that particular mantle and I D

[@baronderochemont8556]

The illegitimate love child of the Queen and Richard Attenborough? If that was really a rumour I had never heard it, but now you got me thinking!

[@LetThemTalkTV]

I deny everything

[@silvinaobregoso3574]

Love your sense of humour!😅

[@manjirabanerjee7169]

What an extraordinary lesson !Thank u Sir G. I have always been intrigued by the history of British royal families - spectacular as they are. I reckon monarchy no longer holds high ground nor is it regarded as the inaccessible, out of the world institution any more except for us - the history lovers .

[@Sauvageonne]

To answer the question, Sting would make a nice monarch. He could keep the Commonwealth together.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

Sting is a good choice

[@szabados1980]

Can you elaborate on how anybody, or Sting of all people, could topple King Charles and proclaim himself king in 2023?

[@marSLaZZ66]

Now i want an Union Jack boxer short !! 🤣😂

[@simaonhagumbe2208]

Thanks for this interesting lesson.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

You're welcome

[@OceanChild75]

It was very interesting as always!! Thank you so much 😇 I agree with you, I feel like having a Royal Family is a double edged sword and not democratic. I am French and I have never understood that obsession we have for the British Royal Family. My grandmother (also French) absolutely loved them, she watched all the weddings and jubilees showed on TV, or anything featuring Stéphane Bern talking about the Mountbatten-Windsors! 😂 There is one thing you mentioned though that I disagree on (well disagree is a strong word here): you said you thought of London and Scotland as the two most pro-Republic places in the UK, I think Scousers would argue with you. Kopites often carry flags "Scouse not English" or "Republic of Liverpool". I think London having both working-class areas and very wealthy ones probably dilute the percentage of pro-Republicans but I’m splitting hair now! 😂 Now for the fun part: Paul McCartney as the head of state would be my dream coming through as I am a massive Beatlemaniac!! ❤ I think he’d be perfect for it: he is the archetype of the British gentleman, contributed massively to British (and world) music, is very diplomatic, owns at least 5 properties in the UK where he happily pays his taxes, saved a local hospital in Rye and an art school in Liverpool and has never had any issue with justice (well if we omit that time he got jailed in Japan but it didn’t happen in the UK lol). If Paul becomes the first elected King of the UK, he better give you a knighthood for Services to the English Language 🇬🇧 P.S. your thumbnail is amazing!! 😅

[@gerardodwyer5908]

Maybe the fascination is linked to England being a Franco Germanic country that was, and still is, ruled by French and German dynasties, most notably the current Hanoverian House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha Windsors.

[@OceanChild75]

@@gerardodwyer5908 you may be right!! Although the king of Spain is part of the Bourbon family (like our last King Louis XVI) and we don’t really care about them 🤣

[@LetThemTalkTV]

You may be right about Liverpool, I don't have the stats but there is certainly a radical streak there. Paul McCartney would make a good king. I'm sure he's available.

[@baronderochemont8556]

It seems to me that Paul is not enough of a monarchist to accept being crowned the King.

[@OceanChild75]

@@baronderochemont8556 Paul McCartney has always spoken highly of the Monarchy, he even wrote "her Majesty" for the Queen on the Abbey Road album in 1969 and accepted to be Knighthood in 1997. John Lennon did return his MBE (which he accepted because their manager Brian Epstein forced him to) as a protest for the Vietnam war, he definitely wouldn’t have accepted a knighthood but I doubt they would have offered him one in the first place after that!

[@Ladyofshalott55]

Thank you for this enlightening presentation about history and royalty in England. As you have confirmed my suspicions on Edward and Wallis, I would like to know if you can recommend something to read on the subject and then, of course, give your opinion on that 'prince' Harry and his wife 'M', who seem to imitate their treachery.

[@edgarrodriguez8973]

Teacher Gideon, marvelous video as usual. I love history but I didn't know many instances of what you taught us. In my opinion, I agree that you should have a respected President and a Prime Minister and follow the French way but without beheading hahaha. Congrats from Bogotá Colombia

[@geemoore.official]

I like the way you got a lyric from the mod group The Jam in there 👏👏👏👏👏

[@viviana-7569]

Excelent review Gideon! So interesting! And I love yor sense of humour. It wouldn't be a bad idea to " enthrone" Sir Paul McCartney, and his song " Hope of deliverance would be a magnificent anthem. Thank you so much for your lessons. Bye from the city of Buenos Aires.( P.S.: considering the situation of my country at present I'm not quite sure that an elected president could make a good and wise alternative, this depends on the level of education and discrimination of the people, and frankly speaking, this is really far from popular wisdom). 🙋‍♀️🌹🇦🇷😘

[@stefaniasmanio5857]

Dear sir, this was great! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@fredoflih7373]

Interesting topic. The condolences thing is quite weird, but we (french ppl) indeed think that the royal family has a lot of support. However we also have a very special opinion about royalty and monarchy(lol), and a lot of people here in France wouldn't complain that much if a new monarch was symbolically enthrone. What about the irish people appreciation of the royalty? I would like to hear what are the relations between N-Ireland and England, and about the relations between Rep. of Ireland and England, as well as their respective opinions about monarchy, from a british point of view.

[@christinec7892]

My grandmother was Irish and decidedly anti royal. My family in Ireland was mostly from the north and were/are staunch supporters of an United Irish Republic, so they’re pretty much anti most British stuff. All of my friends from Scotland are also pretty anti Royals and also anti English. They’re understandably angry about Brexit.

[@guliagrichko9791]

Brilliant video.

[@ArnaldoVCarvalho]

Awesome, thanks!

[@Vcl00]

Great story telling mate

[@LetThemTalkTV]

thanks

[@soniadetert1733]

You are fabulous 😃

[@Tony32]

5:31 It's great to see we have video of the event 😜😉

[@yvonnesmith8245]

Thank you so much for the truly eye-opening history of the British Royal Family. Wow! King Edward VIII was, indeed, the bad man 😩

[@morganepiraux]

We still have monarchy in Belgium. Even, our first king (we're so a young country regarding yours ;) hahaha ) Leopold Ier was Queen Victoria's uncle. Fun fact: there is a very unique tradition regarding the Belgian royal family. Indeed, some newborns are given the King or Queen as godfather or godmother. This favor is granted to the seventh son or daughter of a family. The child must be the seventh in a line, from the same marriage and uninterrupted by the birth of a child of the opposite sex. The process is often initiated by the burgomaster after the newborn child has been registered, although there is nothing to prevent parents or third parties from contacting the Palace. For the process to be successful, the parents must be irreproachable. There is no obligation to give the first name of the King or Queen, even if this is often chosen as the first or middle name. A royal sponsorship often takes place several months after the child's birth. The tradition was initiated by King Leopold I, although he was actually godfather to only one boy. The custom really took off under King Leopold II, and it wasn't until Queen Elisabeth (ours, not yours ;) ) that a family's seventh consecutive daughter was also granted a royal godmother.

[@danielkarmy4893]

I've long favoured the idea of the ceremonial-only head of state - although I would argue that the current royal family would be best suited to that role, rather than a random, but very popular, person who has no idea what to expect or what will be expected of them. I'd also be very keen to avoid popularity contests being the way these things were decided...I wasn't a popular kid at all, but I was more intelligent than all the idiots who thought it was alright to bully me and shove me at the bottom of the pecking order, you know? Popularity is scandalously overrated, and that, I feel, does need to change drastically.

[@cac8793]

As a Canadian, there are definitely people who love the monarchy, especially HRHs Kate and William. No love for Charles and his sturdy steed, though. Love your videos, thank you.

[@annamiller9153]

Wow awesome video, I watched it twice. Fantasic. Thank you very much for it 😊 I like British Royal Family 😊

[@alicerossi_ap]

Personally, I find it inconceivable that there could still be a system in which power is inherited only by right of blood. I think that the British people, strong in their values ​​of democracy and freedom, deserve to be able to choose who should represent their nation, as well as to possibly make mistakes and choose again. Frankly, accepting as Head of State, by anachronistic tradition and thinking it's a guarantee of stability and cohesion, people (legitimized by whom?) with a noticeable pompous lifestyle and not always blameless, makes no sense to me so I totally agree with Thomas Paine too 😊 Anyway it’s just my point of view. Thanks Gideon for the interesting historical summary.

[@gage9171]

As a Canadian, and from a family of First Nations where my grandmother is a chief, I gotta say my mom sure does care about the monarchy lol. It may not be proper "tourism", but the regalia and merch the royal family offers is probably significant

[@elenaferreiramaia]

Hi Teacher! I am terrible sorry, but I need to correct you in this particular matter. The Coroanation was seen Around The World! :) I live here in Montevideo, Uruguay (-3 GMT), so I put the alarm this Saturday morning, to watch live the coronation! :) Why? Well, I don't know, but I did that. And of course. My belated condolences to you from here!. :)

[@goombabear]

Have or will you do an episode on the Bristol accent? I've watched a couple of UK shows where the characters spoke in a Bristol accent. It is an interesting sounding accent and I wondered what is it's origin.

[@Ross.Cavendish]

Gideon - I hope that you are safe from the explosion in Paris this afternoon.

[@leopard36cat]

I had no idea you were related to david attenborough. The man who should be king is Brian blessed, he has over 1000 pets at home and needs more room.

[@profsolitaire7223]

In Québec, the British crown is a symbol of the conquest and subjugation of our ancestors. To say that they are not loved is an understatement. The queen avoided Québec on her official visits as she was humiliated in the 70s by people turning their backs on her. The mornarchy is openly derided and ridiculed here.

[@edwardauerbach8036]

The monarchy represents constancy. Politics is dirty, petty and temporary. The French and the Americans are fascinated by the monarchy because of it's position above politics. In the show "Hamilton", Brittan is represented by George III, even though power was really wielded by Parliament and the Prime Minister. Great Brittan has lost most of it's colonies and power since WWII but is still revered because of it's retention of the monarchy. Who wants to go back to Cromwell?

[@LetThemTalkTV]

Cromwell was a monarch - he passed the throne on to his son Richard when he died. The French and the Americans are fascinated by the monarchy but if you ask if they want a monarchy themselves less than 1% say "yes". They admire the monarchy from afar. It's ok for somebody else but not for them.

[@Ankitasharma26]

I grew up listening to the eternal love story of King Edward VIII and his undying love for Ms. Simpson. My grandfather even had a book on this topic in which the author glorified the king. This revelation that he was a Nazi simply left me stunned. I can't believe how well the whole thing masqueraded as a fairytale love story. Coming from India, I think, and I may be prejudiced as well, that the royal family serves no real purpose and must not be given any more serious funds and attention. Even when the British arrived in India, in the initial years, they made a lot of tyrannical changes through various laws and charters in Queen Victoria's name, about which the poor queen had no information. So I vote against the Royals. I loved this video; it is pretty informative!

[@VanetaRogers1]

The problem is, of course, that it's not up for vote. It would take a revolution -- some group to overthrow the current system of government. And you would have to come up with a new system of government to replace it.

[@MarkPMus]

Brilliant video Gideon. Although if Lineker became King Gary, I dread to think what the National Anthem would be! “The Referee’s A Wanker” perhaps?

[@k-majik]

I am Australian, and I would be quite surprised if we still had a monarchy in ten years' time. I suppose stranger things have happened, but the reason we are still a monarchy seemed to be affection for the Queen personally, not the institution more broadly. If we don't change it, it will be because we can't agree what should replace it!

[@LetThemTalkTV]

Interesting. If I'm not mistaken the Prime Minister is a republican

[@szabados1980]

Constitutional monarchies are prosperous, happy countries without exception. What about republics, especially former British colonies turned into republics? Can you name three that you'd like Australia to end up at level with?

[@goombabear]

I thought as much. It seems to me that they are a bunch of scroungers. But I'm an American and never had much use for the monarchy or aristocracy. I came from people who were brought up to work hard, educate oneself to become successful. People are generally looked down upon who just inherent money and do not work.

[@johnnybravo2926]

⁠@@szabados1980 goofy comment. The current world superpower (like it or not) was a former British colony under the inbred boot of the royal family. We have should left the idea of monarchy back in the dark ages where it belongs.

[@szabados1980]

@@johnnybravo2926 Monarchy is the natural way of "government". Every other attempt converges towards that. Not a brain cracker!

[@jennytorlage676]

You say sicth where i would say sixth,. Which is correct?

[@katarinajanoskova]

Excellent video! Any book you'd recommend on Edward VIII? I thought the 'love' story was true!! How naïve of me. I was walking across Hyde Park to see a Prom (a classical music concert at Royal Albert Hall, part of a summer long music festival in London) when my mum called (from Slovakia) and declared that 'my' queen died. I don't even have citizenship! Needless to say, I didn't believe her but I spent 15min while waiting for my friends, watching a young usher on the RAH door telling music lovers that the Queen died and the concert is cancelled. I felt bad for the staff. Many people were so angry! I think that's why the next 10 days leading up to the funeral baffled me so much since I have watched a bunch people (mostly British and mostly older) not giving a monkey's about QEII and being upset about their evening being ruined...

[@VanetaRogers1]

The love story is true. Edward VIII was head over heels in love. But it is not the reason that Parliament discarded Edward VIII - as this video says, it was merely a convenient excuse to get rid of him. They discarded Edward VIII because of his lack of MERIT. (The monarchy is NOT only a hereditary position -- it is also based on merit. The UK's elected officials control who actually gets to be monarch. If someone does not have merit, they are either discarded or severely hampered.) To be clear, most of his "Nazi sympathizing" happened AFTER he abdicated (after he became just an exiled duke). But Parliament knew he was without merit for many other reasons.

[@qwertasdfg8828]

Hi, however, what is the correct form here: King and I or else King and Me???

[@Vercingetorix45]

I am both Italian and French, both democratic republics and I would suggest the UK to keep the monarchy. Just to address the two main reasons you mentioned for getting rid of it: the King is wealthy, sure, but even an elected President would still need to be paid and every villa and royal mansion would need to be maintained. Last year, Italy spent more for its President than the UK did for the royal family. As far as democracy is concerned, I would argue that a "random" person that was born with this burden is actually more democratic than an elected president, since he/she will be requested to keep their political believes for themselves, while an elected president is always going to be a politician, and that will sooner or later influence him/her on the job. Plus, when you see King Charles you see history, you see a symbol of continuity through the ages, a symbol of the union of the Kingdom of Scotland and the Kingdom of England not only by treaties but by blood. In short, you see the United Kingdom, whereas when you see Macron or Mattarella you see Sir Who's It from Who Cares, son of nobody. It doesn't convey the same power.

[@giovannimorrisone483]

The republican debate has been dragging along here in Australia for some decades; it will probably come to pass, but it's an issue that fades into irrelevance when our successive governments have bigger fish to fry. Personally, IMHO, it's absurd for this country to have a head of state who resides on the other side of the planet, and has little legitimate power in his/her own country. As representatives for the British monarch we've had some pretty "beige" individuals, along with one or two quite admirable people. I suppose this is a reflection of the varied assortment of monarchs you've copped over the centuries. (But as far as I'm aware we haven't had any traitors in the job). Love your work Gid!

[@Tony32]

14:44 "They provide continuity and stability" Me: And entertainment 😜🤣

[@danyelnicholas]

Excellent, now we never need to talk about them again.

[@user-qq5hd9wo9t]

I'd like you (brits) to keep the monarchy. I couldn't image the UK without the Royal Family. It is a massive part of the British culture. I'm a Ukrainian who is absolutely in love with the British Gothic architecture style.

[@Neos.Helios]

Миколка, скоро будет у тебя монархия. Не переживай

[@morrigambist]

Wasn't George II the last king to lead his troops into battle (at Dettingen)?

[@willhooker2675]

I think Barbados has recently severed its ties with the Crown. There's a president there now. Soon after this separation, Prince Williams & Co. went on a Caribbean tour but, in some countries, such as Belize and Jamaica, people were quite vocal against the Commonwealth and England's history of human rights violations there. Now the question is, after Barbados, which Caribbean country will be next? Or could it be Australia?

[@marblehead2500]

I didn’t know all that about Edward! I do like the RF and the traditions. I think they are a huge reason for the love of Britain and for tourism monies coming in. They are a great fascination for the world and do uphold certain values that are important. It’s not important to me that they be particularly talented or accomplished, but it is that they be moral, good and serve others. That they stand for the British values.

[@illogicmath]

I vote for Gideon the first. Long live the king Gideon

[@spacepope69]

My vote for Top Royalty for England (not Great Britain, the rest should have their independence) would be Brian May or maybe Brian Cox (the physicist). Oh my, I haven't been able to think of any women. I would also be interested to know whether the royal genealogy is patriarchal or matriarchal or a combination.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

King Brian I whichever one you choose. It's about time we had a Brian.

[@Itziar_hay_yan]

What are "the rights to a free trial"?

[@syncmeandroid]

God save the Gideon!

[@auldfouter8661]

If the Queen had a 76 year reign then most of the country got her platinum jubilee wrong last year. The Glorious Revolution was 1688 and George the 2nd was the last king to take the field - at the battle of Dettingen, although the 2nd Earl of Stair had operational control. When the presenter is discussing the restoration a portrait of James the 2nd is labelled as Charles the 2nd - the same portrait is correctly titled a wee bit earlier in the video.

[@Occulomotoria]

Judy Dench!

[@LetThemTalkTV]

A good choice

[@isabelatence7035]

Surprising the stories of the reign in England, only you to do with so much mastery, you did a complete research, I think it's time for a change, New more democratic regime is ideal, tourism weighs a lot, London is a destination full of fantasy with its castles, unpleasant tabloids, I'm not curious where the royal family goes... But I was curious to know what you think, now I know... I identified with you... 🤩

[@LetThemTalkTV]

Thanks, it seems we share a similar worldview of democracy.

[@isabelatence7035]

@@LetThemTalkTV UK is much more democratic than Brazil..

[@user-nz5ge2ib5n]

❤

[@niklase5901]

I would only send condolences if some lost a family member, a partner or a friend. Perhaps I would write some like, sorry to hear the sad news or whatever if a royalty had passed away. I think it should be safe, it is sad news when people dies almost regardless of who it is.

[@niklase5901]

We have the same situation in Sweden! We have royalty, but it’s unclear what for 😅 I think the strongest argument is just tradition and continuity, it’s something that ties present times to a long history. Personally, I would mind replacing monarchy with the system they have in Finland. They have a prime minister AND an elected president. The president is head of state and represents Finland towards the rest of the world.

[@jnorman1066]

Did I catch a David Watts reference?

[@Pfsif]

We have Royalty here in the US, we just don't know their names.

[@jesusdavis2941]

I think there's something about a higher authority that some or most societies need to function. I live in a republic and the "guarantee seal" to the populace eyes that something like a project or program might work better than the rest is a "presidential" name in front- . A ceremonial president is not seemed normally as a figure of authority, but a mannequin, and you have to not just elect one every 4-5yrs, but pay each one of them lifelong retirement salaries ,security and other services after one period or two. imagine now four or five living ex presidents, plus the acting president, that's also a cost coming out ot people's taxes, and is never considered or taken to the table

[@leefitzpeter4287]

I make it 7 Queens, Jane, Mary I,Elizabeth I , Mary II ( with William III), Ann, Victoria, Elizabeth II.

[@slavkaj8285]

Do not take away the illusion of continuity the royals represent. Many people feel safer if a public person is seen longer than just for 4-5 years. If you eventually do, ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE would make a good anthem.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

There are lots of dictators that have been around for decades. I'm not sure that they make their people feel safer.

[@ubeeh]

I do remember the Brexiteers arguing that they don't want to be governed by "unelected bureaucrats" in Brussels. Which by itself is pure nonsense as most bureaucrats in the world, even in the UK, are unelected. And those same Brexiteers are in favour of an unelected monarch? Or at least much them? It just shows how ridiculous this whole construct is. I do, however, also see the problems stemming from deposing monarchies that we have witnessed across Europe after the First and Second World Wars. In some places like Germany they were replaced by dysfunctional democracies (at least until the formation of the Federal German Republic after WWII), in others by outright dictatorships (many countries in the Balkans after 1944, where the monarchies in general were a lot "younger", mostly established only in the 19th century by placing some cousin of a Western European monarch. In short, I am glad I have grown up in a Republic without having to worry about the question whether to ditch'em or not.

[@noamtal8078]

In 1948 Israel gained independence when the British mandate ended. Since our parliamentary system is based on the British system, there was a need for a representative figure similar to your king or queen. So we have a representative president elected by the parliament and his powers are ceremonial. Many in Israel believe that this is a waste of money. And it is also confusing because heads of state who meet with him know that in the end the elected government decides.

[@walterhenderson2155]

I support keeping them.

[@andremoniy]

God save the King!❤

[@ciprianpopa1503]

French love royalty. They like mostly their heads.

[@raychat2816]

The Royal family in England right now isn’t really in power, so to me the “not elected” argument doesn’t really hold water, as for the budget for it, I can’t know for sure but I think it’s very manageable what with the current costs of just the Army for instance … As far as Lebanon is concerned , I belong to a family with a family tree going back to about the late 1600s, the families who had privileges in the past have legally retained the titles they had, like myself, I have title before my first name, although not with any form of power, perhaps slight influence, if the person involved is in some position, not the family as a whole however. Perhaps the one privilege (obligation, rather) I have is not to wait in line while waiting for any legal papers in government buildings, provided I keep the machine extra oiled so to speak … even if I’m broke … that just about covers it 😂😂😂

[@philippewinston2740]

Long live the *Royle Family*

[@godisgracious8105]

Gideon, do you support elective monarchies? Like those of Malaysia and Cambodia...

[@LetThemTalkTV]

That's an interesting idea worth investigating.

[@th60of]

10:49: Should be assent.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

whoops!

[@leokadiapumeks4632]

I am Polish and I also sent condolences to my British friends. They seemed to appreciate it. When our president and highest government officials died in an airplane accident I also received condolences from them. This is normal among civilized people I suppose 😊

[@LetThemTalkTV]

It always depends. If you're friends were royalists then I understand but If, say, Donald Trump passes away, I don't think I'll send condolences to my liberal American friends.

[@JenKirby]

I am not happy about an elected leader of state. Because look at the people who get elected as PMs or Presidents!

[@LetThemTalkTV]

I was talking about an elected ceremonial head not a political one.

[@JenKirby]

@@LetThemTalkTV The key word for me is “elected” ceremonial head. I am not a royalist either but I can’t think of a sensible solution.

[@michaelduffy6874]

From Pedants' Corner: "Royal assent", not "ascent".

[@michaelduffy6874]

Now, having watched to the end, I feel that comment is a bit niggardly. As it happens, I'm in favour of the monarchy, partly for personal reasons, but this was a brilliant gallop through history, a lot of which was new to me.

[@davebonello1944]

(Melanie here) Very enjoyable video. I slowed down and did rewind some of it to catch all the facts. ( I read a lot of British historical fiction and was thinking about different classics and where they would fall in the timeline). My parents were British (Nottingham area) although I was born in the U.S. I appreciate the stability that the presence of tradition/monarchy provide especially compared with the U.S. which seems to change with every wind.

[@grantofat6438]

Artificial intelligence seems to be rather popular these days. How about having that for a leader? It doesn't require castles or a lot of money.

[@csoviii]

Actually it costs around a million dollars per day to operate something as chat gpt.

[@OmerKose-tq1is]

🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@csoviii]

first brits should work on finally electing their prime ministers.

[@bonniekane8547]

Definitely Paul McCartney, probably the most popular British person!!!

[@PopeDreamsAuthor]

Unfortunately, it is convenient for Commonwealth countries to retain the British monarch as head of state. Provided that monarch remains benign.

[@ffotograffydd]

She wasn’t the ‘Queen of England’, the last Queen of England was Queen Anne!

[@britishcrab6726]

I think the closed captions might need looking over (I don't think the King has a personal wealth of £500 Billion), but other than that, enjoyable and very informative video!

[@zakariyashakir4091]

8th of September mate not September 8

[@baregildegomcesval]

No one has more merits (meritocracy) than a centuries old royal lineage, to reign as a Constitutional monarch of the land. No othet non royal individual can play better the monarch's role than the hereditary king who has all the necessary credentials and know how, not to mention the regalness ans splendor, to fulfill that role to perfection and since the monarch has been stripped of all real power and decition making, he cannot be blamed for the pitfalls and blunders the governing politicians make. Long live the King and Britain.

[@mbcxdlr2]

I vote Rowan Atkinson but he has to play the role of Blackadder.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

It's a cunning plan

[@bfm4813]

Maintain royal family, only king an direct descendants, but not to give them any money, they can perfectly maintain themselves. They do bring tourism and money, 500 milion watching coronation means something, but not the secondary royals.

[@VanetaRogers1]

@VanetaRogers1 3 observations I think you got wrong: 1- I don’t think Henry VIII was last king to lead troops. I think it was George I or II. 2- You just proved that “MERIT” makes a UK king. As you said, Edward VIII was removed from power because he did not have MERIT. So you are wrong that it is only inheritance. Parliament picks your king/queen! 3- You do not want a politician as head of state. I am an American. BELIEVE ME - be glad you have Charles. Just imagine Donald Trump or Joe Biden as your king. 😳

[@johnnybravo2926]

Merit does not in any way make a king. That’s comedic as hell. It’s the same old divine right garbage that monarchs use to convince the uneducated that they have a legitimate reason for their inherently exploitative and leech-like status in society.

[@Michal.Kaminski]

Sir Brian May should be the king!

[@qwertasdfg8828]

My dear teacher: You've been speaking /i:ther/ what is the truly American speech instead of /aither/ what is truly British to 88% against 13% /i:ther/ as used in Britain (Wells Longman Dict.). Only younger people to this Dict would like to say /i:ther/ like Americans in Britain (up to 40%). Normally, this transition is a kind of simplification like in dialects in all languages.

[@pilouboy4736]

When David Bowie died i could not swallow anything. When the queen died i took pasta twice.

[@Breakfast_of_Champions]

After the well established funny and scary types, King Charles has single-handedly established a veritable third type of clown.

[@colinmcdonald2499]

Who gets dropped on in a " Hot King Charles"? "Queen" Camilla takes it or gives it?

[@torrawel]

Wait... you are NOT the illegitimate love child of the Queen and David (SIR DAVID!) Attenborough??? So disappointed now... :( :) Great opening! I have no say in what the British should or shouldn't do (even though Brexit was a sad thing. Please come back!), but our royal families are of course related (all European R. families are I think) and "William Alexander" would do just fine as king of England. Just like his illustrious ancestor who was the last to conquer England! So my proposal would be: you stay a kingdom, and we become a republic again. Just like in the good old days. How to achieve that? We "give" you our king! You can have him for free! One of his daughters already is studying in Wales at the moment, so we already provided you with a princes of Wales ;) All the best from the only country that started as a republic but ended up with a king...

[@LetThemTalkTV]

Thanks for the comment. Which country (that started as a republic) are you referring to?

[@camelopardalis84]

I also wonder. The internet tells me it could be the Netherlands or possibly Spain.

[@torrawel]

Of course it's The Netherlands (or: the Republiek der Zeven Verenigde Nederlanden, the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands). Before the 1580s, it wasn't a country but part of larger empires (Spain, Burgundy) and/or not a single entity. So we started as a republic and ended, due to Napoleon and thus the French (how ironic), as a kingdom. That's one of the reasons why "your" king William (our Willem 3) came to England : to have a title he couldn't have back home...

[@user-vn2on9tz9g]

I know some guys, who wear Union Jack clothes and sing "God save the Queen", but they are very far from being royalists :))

[@massimoastuti5143]

By the way I am Italian we have king Kong...

[@cernaruka]

The best king would be you

[@LetThemTalkTV]

You're very kind but I'm afraid I'll have to turn down your offer.

[@Tony32]

@@LetThemTalkTV we'll throw in a couple of castles to sweeten the deal.

[@iainmc9859]

Man, this was a humdinger. Although I'm very broadly in agreement with what you say and a relatively balanced view of both Republicanism, Monarchy and the frankly can't be arsed either way, I think you'd have to back up the claim that Edward VIII was an active Nazi, a sympathizer for non-democratic government yep, but a Nazi mmm. Are you also saying Stanley Baldwin was a traitor and colluded in passing on State secrets to the Nazis ? You're also still tripping over this English/British nomenclature, Queen of 'England' ... and a bit more. 'English' Civil War ... didn't start in England, started in Scotland and finished in Ireland. The Act of Union (1707) wasn't the first time Scotland was unified under one Parliament with England (Westminster), Cromwell had done it in 1657 during the Commonwealth. The Glorious Revolution ... there were no battles ... never heard of the Battle of the Boyne. I'll excuse most of these oversights because ... well, you're from London, there be Dragons beyond the M25 ! Other than that ' Up the Revolution' 😁

[@susiefisch]

If the head of state was chosen by popularity or success in their field, you could end up with JKRowling, which might not be better than Charles III.

[@LetThemTalkTV]

I think JK Rowling is great. I'd vote for her.