Greek Royals

[Rachel]

I agree totally, Minsa...could you imagine addressing Marie Chantal as "your royal highness", let alone curtseying to her? "Her royal highness, my ass!" indeed.

I'm interested in royalty b/c they're something to gawk at, but as far as having any respect for specific families or the idea of monarchy in general? Not so much.

[Angel]

I agree with Minsa and Rachel!!! Royalty is a sham! It's always been a sham. The reason it even exists is 'cuz like 1000 years ago some stupid bloke stole another stupid bloke's sheep and cows or whatever. They duked it out and to the victor went the spoils. That it's passed down from gen to gen is a disgrace. None of these "royals" have done a damn thing to deserve what they've got except slide out between their mum's legs.

I wouldn't bow and scrape to them or anyone! I have more respect for Mr. Miller as a self-made man than I do for any of the 'royal houses' out there.

[Angie]

I agree...it's always struck me as strange the way that royalty (and other landed aristos, for that matter), look down their noses at those who have made incredible fortune by getting a good education and then working very hard in one's profession. I personally find this far more noble than someone who has limited education, has never held a job, and has no skills putting on airs mainly b/c they've received a slab of land that was originally handed over to the family 500 years ago.

And seriously? considering these titles are inherited through primogeniture, the respect someone is supposed to accorded generally isn't as much as mere familial affiliation, but b/c they're the first born male descended from a long line of first born males.

As far as the greeks...why should they get any respect? They've been booted out of their country and only allowed to so much as visit fairly recently. And Constantine wants deference? I don't think so...

[Kara]

Guest-Minsa said:

They have a "Crown Princess" who hasn't even bothered to learn Greek

Not to mention a queen. Anne-Marie can't speak a word of Greek. I think she learned a little bit after their wedding, but I remember reading that she thought it was "too hard" and gave up on it. And she said she's forgotten it. So there you go....>_<

As for me personally, I really like royalty, and I think a constitutional monarchy is a good political model. However, of course I don't think anyone should have to bow before a royal. Would you bow before a president? Hell no. Same should go with kings and queens.

[Amy]

Wow...I thought that Anne Marie had learned greek - that's kind of funny that she didn't. And Marie Chantal didn't really try, either.

I guess all Pavlos' siblings speak it, right?...do his children?

Out of curiousityh, does anyone know if Sofia speaks spanish?

[violante]

After almost a whole life in Spain as a queen she must speak spanish!
But I agree with all of you, to curtsey to deposed royals or to look at Marie-Chantal as HRH is just ridiculous!

[Minna]

I'm surprised that Anne Marie doesn't speak greek. I've also heard that even now, Silvia's swedish isn't perfect. Does anyone know how Sonja is w/ norweigan?

[Kara]

Guest-Minna said:

I'm surprised that Anne Marie doesn't speak greek. I've also heard that even now, Silvia's swedish isn't perfect. Does anyone know how Sonja is w/ norweigan?

Her Norwegian is perfect, because she is Norwegian.

[Minna]

Oops! I thought she was from the UK. Well, I'm glad to hear she has a solid grasp on her native tongue

[Amy]

Maybe you're thinking about Paola - Paola isn't from Belgium, I don't think. I don't know what language she speaks.

Re: Anne Marie - I don't think it matters whether she speaks Greek or not. I mean, it's not like she's going to be Queen there again anytime soon...actually, i think it's kind of arrogant of them to continue to refer to themselves as Queen/King of Greece.

I certainly hope that Pavlos has enough sense to declare himself King upon Konstantine's death.