On Location : ‘Is This the End of Britain’s Royal Family?’

LLOYD G. SCOTT

Construction worker, from London, three years in Southern California

I understand that Prince Charles said he was forced to marry Diana even though he didn’t love her. Well, the Royal Family’s been doing that for hundreds of years. Originally, the children used to marry princesses or princes from Germany or France just to keep the peace among nations. So it’s nothing new. The fact is that now, through the media, it comes out. But I think the Royal Family is the best thing for England. I can’t understand why anybody would like to say that they should be disbanded.

Absolutely, there’s a future for the Royal Family. They do a good job. Even if Charles doesn’t become the king, one of his sons will.

MONICA MORRIS

Sociologist, from London, 26 years in Southern California

I was never a royalist and always wondered what the Royal Family was for. I was told that they played a very, very important function. Having a strong Royal Family at the helm was thought to be invaluable in holding the society, the state, together. I really marvel at the way that illusions have been so easily created and firmly believed in. The illusion of this incredible love affair--films were made about Charles and his Diana, this lovely fairy story--was created presumably quite deliberately and just as easily destroyed. The Royal Family’s been under fire for quite a long time, what with Princess Margaret and her carryings-on, the whole crowd in fact. The poor Queen is in terrible disarray.

MELANIE ETTIENE

Bartender, from Epsom, Surrey, five years in Southern California

It’s all become quite tarnished. They were supposed to stay married. They weren’t supposed to cheat. Well, they weren’t supposed to get caught. I wouldn’t be upset now if the monarchy were to vanish. Not now, no.

But it’s always been quite a draw for tourism and it’s something that Americans have always been very big on. I always talk with people from our King’s Head gift shop next door. They always come in and ask us about what’s going on. It’s definitely a big tourist draw so I think that would really hurt if that were to happen; but I don’t think that is what will happen. I think they’ll probably try to straighten out Prince Edward, clean him up. I think he’ll probably become king.

I don’t think Queen Elizabeth will abdicate. If Charles and Diana had stayed together I think, yes, she probably would have. I think she’ll stay on to the bitter end, or at least until she feels secure that there is somebody to take over.

GLEN BISHOP

Plastering contractor, from Chelmsford, Essex, 10 years in Southern California

Personally, I feel that the Royal Family is only human like the rest of us. They’re going to go through everything that normal people go through. People tend to forget that the soul of the English people is our Royal Family. They bring so much good and investment into the country that I honestly feel they’ll be along for a lot longer.

The media blow things all up and everybody will be talking. When it comes down to it, everything will be the same as it was before because so many people love the Royal Family in England. You can’t blame the economy on the Royal Family. That’s something to do with the government and the fact that we’ve got a world economy now, not just a British economy.