Why Prince George May Never Be King (And Why That's A Good Thing)
Prince William and Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, have a son named George who is third in line for the throne. But there's growing reason to believe the British monarchy, as it currently operates, may not last until Prince George becomes king.
The monarchy is mired in scandal
Next year, Queen Elizabeth II, 94, will celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years in power, which is the longest any British royal has remained in power. And in that time, the world has changed, a lot. Does the United Kingdom still need a royal family?
A new scandal has only made its citizens question their role even more.
A recent report in The Guardian revealed that the Queen meddled in the government to hide how much money she really possesses.
The investigation puts into question whether a monarchy can exist alongside a democracy, and makes people wonder why British taxpayers continue to pay so much to support symbolic rulers from a bygone era.
Prince Charles is expected to be an uninspiring ruler
Meanwhile, like his father and grandfather before him, Prince George, 7, is being groomed for the throne. But will the monarchy make it that far?
At 72, no one has ever waited longer than Prince Charles has to become king, and if he does end up sitting on the throne (which would occur immediately after Elizabeth II dies), there are some who believe he won't have the support to rule.
According to Clive Irving, author of The Last Queen: How Queen Elizabeth II Saved the Monarchy, Elizabeth II and her father, George VI, were exemplary rulers, but those that came before them weren't great. By the time Charles comes around, it could be a return to lame rulers from years past, and that wouldn't be good news for the royals.
"Before you can assess how William, and later George, might work out, you have to allow for the way the monarchy will look under King Charles, and whether under him it can survive," Irving told Express.co.uk.
"In my view Prince Charles is a reversion to the line of duds, falling far short of the standard set by his mother and grandfather."
Irving added that once Charles becomes ruler, Britain could finally have a reckoning about whether it still needs a monarchy.
"All polling shows that younger Britons don’t find the monarchy relevant," he said. "What is salient to this attitude is the impression that the Windsors are too many, too many freeloaders and palace dwellers.
As we've seen with Harry and Meghan, as we saw with Diana, the public is craving more and more of that authenticity and humanity in its leaders.
"Together the royal family occupies 15 state residences paid for by public money at the cost of at least 82 million pounds a year – in contrast Denmark, for example, allots around nine million pounds to its royal family.
"A pared-down monarchy – fewer palaces, no freeloaders and attractively modern family heads – might make a reboot work, but that’s impossible to judge right now."
Prince George can still be great
This all could be bad news for Prince George's chances at sitting on the throne -- but it's not a life wasted.
Growing up with all the resources he has, as well as two stand-up people in William and Kate to support him, Prince George has an opportunity to be great. Not necessarily a great monarch, but a great person who can use his resources and platforms for good and lead by example.
More inspiring celebrities:
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- After Surviving Abuse Twice, Rihanna Is Ready To Have Kids With Or Without A Man
- Charlize Theron Fought Through Trauma To Build Her Fulfilling Life
- Ciara and Russell Wilson Prove The Power Of Moving On From A Toxic Ex
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.