Thread by @PublicPriestley

As ever, looking to history clarifies so much. The crisis of monarchy in 1917 (George V) absolutely tells you why the royal dynasty is not as it is branded 'a family' - but is and always has been an organisation of a dynastic and inherited nature. We need to understand more 1/24

Monarchy wasn't described as 'the royal family' until the practise was encouraged under Queen Victoria - mainly as part of subtle reforms and branding changes brought about by Prince Albert. It was always - and has always been - a dynasty. What is the difference? 2/24

Well first of all at the time of George V - in the darkness of WW1 - there were royal cousins ruling the main power countries, albeit monarchy was outmoded and was being eclipsed by people power. Kaiser Wilhelm was a cousin of George V, as was Tsar Nicholas of Russia. 3/24

Tsar Nicholas was murdered in the Russian revolution. He was placed under arrest and in 1917 was under close guard. His death was anticipated. George V and Queen Mary were asked if they would send a ship to rescue him (his first cousin)... 4/24

Initially Britain had offered refuge to Nicholas and George repeatedly described himself in his diary as 'devoted' to his cousin. Unlike Kaiser Wilhem (who was genuinely not liked) there was a sincere relationship between George and Nicholas. 5/24

Despite this, George was troubled with his own stability as King. PM Lloyd George was not a monarchist and the trend was not towards support of the monarchy domestically. George V was being increasingly side lined and his influence waned. 6/24

It was feared that by bringing Nicholas & his family to Britain the presence of the Tsar would undermine George even further & that the public would not support the rescue. Mary feared being overshadowed too. Feeling the insecurity of their position they had to make a choice 7/24

Family? Or Dynasty? Here the cosmetic cover that fits pretty well - of describing the organisation as a 'family' begins to struggle. A family - in the traditional sense - would prioritise saving the family member of course. The cousin about to be executed and his family. 8/24

Instead George V made two political moves to save or reassure his dynasty instead. First of all he effectively withdrew the invitation to Tsar Nicholas & France was suggested as an alternative. He also flatly refused to send a ship to rescue his cousin. Nicholas was killed. 9/24

Secondly, George - at that time under the 'family' name Saxe-Coburg-Gotha (a predominantly German dynastic presence) - was accused of being pro-German. So he simply changed his family name to Windsor so it would sound more 'English'. The family name was rebranded. 10/24

The roll out of rebranding went down through his extended dynasty too - the 'Battenberg' family was rebranded as 'Mountbatten' for example. George V sought to reassure people that he was English first and foremost. 11/24

In the years following WW1 the monarchy faced continued crisis. Kaiser Wilhem was awkwardly not prosecuted for anything related to the war and instead lived out his days in comfort outside of Germany. George V was angry but also didn't want his cousin to face a trial. 12/24

Of course, now that Nicholas was gone from Russia a credible republican movement was growing in Britain. George V feared this. He tried his best to associate the 'Royal Family' (as it continued to be branded) with some useful end of the war victory. 13/24

Additionally the honours system (as we now know it) with the Order of the British Empire (from Grand Knights down to Members etc) was brought in to re-establish the necessary hierarchy that culminated with George V (the King) at the very top. 14/24

The honours system began much as we know it today - as a sham - with Lloyd George literally selling honours at all levels for clear and transparent prices to those who could afford them. This was so brazen that it results in legislation to prevent such abuses. 15/24

Today this seems to do little to prevent people like Boris Johnson and David Cameron using honours to bestow upon sponsors, to hush critics and to carve out backroom agreements in times of trouble. 16/24

Of course the honours system continues to serve the same purpose as - deserving or not - the recipient has to go and bow before the 'Royal Family' to receive their recognition. This thereby places them on the hierarchy and always below the hereditary dynasty. 17/24

Asked to choose between 'family' or politics & power - George V chose the latter. The truth is simple - the royal organisation is a dynasty and not a family as you or I would recognise or understand it to be. 18/24

The late Queen (Elizabeth II) was never the cuddly affectionate reassuring Nana figure that she was branded to be. She was the governess of an inherited but dwindling empire. Her role was to maintain her necessity and to stay entrenched - keep the Royal dynasty running. 19/24

Charles III is not going to bow to public pressure and curtail the expense of his coronation simply because he wants everyone to know that he is now in charge and the monarchy is still the head of state. Yes - they'll do marketing, window dressing and such BUT 20/24

...do not be tricked into thinking that this is a family, or that this is family bickering that is going on. This is about the continuity of business as usual under an unelected head of state. We are being tricked. 21/24

We do have a choice - the royal organisation does not want people to wake up to that choice. This is not a family. We are not related to it. This is dynastic politics and the last of it's kind. The desperate last gasps that sooner or later will end. 22/24

Every other major nation has seen through this notion of royalty, divine rights of kings, of anointing with oils, of crowns and sceptres. They prefer democracy to unelected imposition - and so do I. 23/24

Anyone who is currently engaged in the Kate v Megan debate is entirely falling for the misdirection. The smokescreen. I can't honestly care for either as I don't know them. It's an incredibly effective distraction though - isn't it? 24/24 @RepublicStaff

@RepublicStaff Perhaps I should have tagged this thread with #NotMyKing ?