Sue Townsend Quotes

I'd like to see a much more open Monarchy, myself. I used to think they were completely useless and we should get rid of them. I don't necessarily feel that way anymore. I'm still ambivalent, I still loathe the British class system, and the Royal family are the apex of the British class system.

I believe the collapse of the House of Windsor is tied in with the collapse of the Church of England.

I am a vigilant monarchist. I want to see things evolve. The direction the monarchy seems to be moving in - towards a more mainland-European model - is one I would feel sympathetic about.

In the museum, next to the dinosaurs---that’s where the monarchy should go.

I don't think the monarchy is tawdry in the slightest. I think the monarchy is hugely important for Britain.

In my home country, which is one of the oldest kingdoms in the world, you're born with the title. You don't get elected. I don't know how the king and queen of Denmark would respond if they suddenly had to do a speech, if the people would vote for them. I don't know how that would end up.

For a time during the 1980s the Royal Family were not just the most influential family in Britain but probably in Europe and Prince Charles specifically was very much like a defacto Cabinet member and what he said actually had impact on public policy.

I'm not an anarchist, but I believe that people don't want the royal family - the so-called royal family.

You do now have one in three people, as shown by the famous Carlton Monarchy debate poll, saying they want to get rid of the Monarchy. That was unthinkable even three, four years ago.

I've spent a bit of time with the Prince of Wales, who I respect greatly. I'd give two cheers for the Monarchy.

The monarchy is a part of the state. It exists to serve the people.

I like all the families in the U.K. But what I like about the idea of the royal family is... they seem like they're well educated and there's something admirable about them. And the Queen... she reminds me of my grandma.

I think you can't have the monarchy without the coronation. I think you would have to get rid of the whole kit and caboodle.

I have so much respect for the Queen and for Charles, and what the family represents. And yet there's still a conflict about whether we can abolish the class system while also having a Royal family.

What is it about royalty - even if you're a confirmed republican - that is dramatically interesting?

Americans also seem to believe that the monarchy is a kind of mediaeval hangover, encumbered by premodern notions of decorum; the reality is that the British monarchy, for good or ill, is a modern political institution - perhaps the first modern political institution.

Every country should have at least one King Farouk.

I am very pro-royal. Britain without them would be a sadder place.

Historically, royal families have represented an institution. The institution is built on heritage, and is timeless in that sense.

I hope royalty continues forever. This is the thing that can contribute to peace throughout the world.

I'm not a great fan of monarchy in general, but I have to say the Danish monarchy is closer to the people; it's not as stuffy as the English one.

Monarchists frequently declare that without the royal family, Britain would be 'nothing.' What a woeful lack of love for one's country such statements express.

We could have a political movement going if it had been properly organized but the Monarchy's done itself enormous damage possibly beyond the point of long-term recovery.

A monarchy conducted with infinite wisdom and infinite benevolence is the most perfect of all possible governments.

A family on the throne is an interesting idea.... It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of petty life.