Reply #1: The latter. [View All]

[StellaBlue]

I'm not British, but I lived there for years with my British partner and his family.

They're like us. There's some respect for the Queen because she puts her duty above all else and remains nonpolitical and whatnot, but the rest of them face an open-season in the press and daily conversation. They're not monolithic... some Brits hate the monarchy and call for a republic like we supposedly have, others are out and out monarchists. Generally, the monarchy doesn't cross people's minds in the day to day business of living, and very very few look to them as role models or 'betters'. There is some pride in the institution, however, just as in the US presidency, as something that all Britons have in common, as the head of state, etc. They do still sing "God Save the Queen", for the most part happily, after all. :) Also, most of the aristocrats now hold real jobs (although, like here, they may have gotten them nepotistically - well, surely did in most cases), and a lot of them are actually not that wealthy due to having to pay taxes, estates being split up, etc. Sort of like the proud families of the Old South who still have a pile, but no cash.

In my experience. $0.02.