Royal Quotes

Quote in ragards to monarchys:
I start:

We have been given an assignment as a monarchy, and we do as well as we can ... We try to be as little populistic as possible. We don't do anything on the spur of the moment to win an opinion poll, or short-term popularity.

~Harald V of Norway, interview after "Norway's monarchy turns 100". 80% acceptance today.

"The whole world is in revolt. Soon there will be only five Kings left--the King of England, the King of Spades, The King of Clubs, the King of Hearts, and the King of Diamonds."

King Farouk of Egypt, 1948
king of Egypt 1936-1952 (1920 - 1965)

This one always frightens me....although Farouk was a bit of a playboy...

"I cannot tell: the world is grown so bad,
That wrens make prey where eagles dare not perch:
Since every Jack became a gentleman
There's many a gentle person made a Jack. "

Richard III , Shakespeare

From the "trial" of Charles I -

The COURT --- "..... we who are your lawful judges.... "

CHARLES RESPONDS ---- " .... I see that I am before a power ....."

Royalty is a Government in which the attention of the nation is concentrated on one person doing interesting actions. A Republic is a Government in which that attention is divided between many, who are all doing uninteresting things.

• Walter Bagehot, in The English Constitution (1867)

Pro Rege et Grege (For King and People) - Motto of the Danish Royal Guard.

The monarchy is a political referee, not a political player, and there is a lot of sense in choosing the referee by a different principle from the players. It lessens the danger that the referee might try to start playing.

- Conrad Russell, 5th Earl Russell, as quoted in The Spectator (11 January 1997)

I am the state ~King Louis XIV of France~

"I would rather obey a fine lion, much stronger than myself, than two hundred rats of my own species."
Voltaire

On his ever-present collection of orders and medals - "If you've got it, wear it". (Lord Louis Mountbatten, born His Serene Highness, Prince Ludwig von Battenberg)