I'm not a royalist and I must say I wasn't aware of the detail you added. I'm still not a royalist but I'm happy to stand corrected.

Personally I think it's empty words. The king is swearing to exercise powers he doesn't have. He's actually a rubber stamp for the parliment who has to ask when he wants to go somewhere. And the Prime Minister can say no.

I'm not surprised by this in the least. That is what happens when there is royalty involved in any government whether or not they have any real power. But don't look down on them. Americans swear to a piece of fabric who's meaning changes every election cycle. Which one is worse?

It strikes many Americans as creepy too.

My older son was treated with extra derision and scorn from one of his "teachers" for not participating in this creepy brainless pledging of allegiance to these red, white and blue cloths usually only half way up the poles these days.

I thought it so creepy, that I changed the words and taught my boys a more sensible version:

I don't feel that correcting the lyrics in any way violates any early pledges of allegiance recited as a school lad, because most of us, me included, knew enough to keep our fingers crossed behinds our backs when forced to say patriotic gibberish aloud.

Not to worry! Soon there'll be new flags to salute. We won't be "forced" to, but if we don't ...

The king has the power to dissolve parliament. Until the monarchy is abolished, there is no chance of any semblance of a real democracy in the UK.

Comparisons with the Nazis are actually valid - don't forget the proven connections between the Royal family and the Nazis. As with any bad press, it's quickly white-washed and forgotten (in an orgy of flag waving and patriotic rhetoric).

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins aims for becoming a republic... https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-05-...ntry/102288616

Page includes a couple of interesting links, like this... https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-04-...erty/102281950

Still upset (see post #3) here that such a rich country will allow billions of pounds wasted on AI and multiple half-thought-through software projects and still accept having more than a million and a half children depend on foodbank volunteers...

Yes, and true. But the King can't say anything about that. Some one of them (George VI?) dissolved Parliment after WW2. But I'm not hugely interested in Royalty anyhow. The main reason I know anything about George VI is from "The King's Speech."

I've gotten used to it - and I mean that in a negative way. I'm actually very bitter.

And in response to the "cost of living crisis", the government and media insults us with outrageous displays of extravagance and luxury - all funded by the taxpayer.

With what has been revealed about Johnson (and others), during the lockdowns, the utter contempt these kind of people hold for those who elect them should now be all too obvious. Yet still they vote for them... I can imagine their parties, pissing themselves laughing at the fools who stood and clapped for the NHS and walked around with masks and gloves on (I have no doubt that the "old school tie" mob had a few wagers on whether they'd pull that one off - "are they stupid enough?").

We did it to ourselves and a big part of the current disaster in the UK was Brexit. Those who voted for that must be kicking themselves now - unless they've personally gained from it (I don't doubt that some have).

RE: "UK public asked to swear allegiance to King Charles and his heirs - just like the Nazis! "

I do not the UK public being asked to swear allegiance to the Nazis, or the Nazis being asked to swear allegiance to King Charles and his heirs! Although I suppose that, assuming there are some Nazis among UK citizens, that this is now the case. Any way I interpret that subject, it does not bother me in the slightest. Key word is "asked", notably not using the word "required".

Let's just kindly remember that the last time Great Britain had a "coronation ceremony" was June 2, 1953. I wasn't yet alive then, and most likely neither were you. Her Late Majesty (RIP) was the longest-reigning monarch in world history who didn't ascend the throne as a very young child – who actually made all of her decisions for herself and was legally competent to do so. (In "pure tenure," ignoring this consideration, she came in second.)

It's okay for the nation to be "a little out of practice ..." and to decide now to do some things differently.

King Charles has stepped into a pair of shoes that are impossible to fill. Maybe we should give him a break.

If Westminster Abbey gets struck by lightning tomorrow, coronation day, should it be considered a Sign From God?

No, it would be a coincidence. The Bible makes that clear.

I would consider it a sign from Ben Franklin.

That would rather match his sense of humor...