28 Apr
The Royal Family at Cosplay

In an age where food banks are normalised, the NHS is in crisis, and children shiver in mould-ridden homes, Britain still clings to a cosplay medieval absurdity: a hereditary monarchy. A taxpayer-funded aristocracy whose sole qualification for power is their lineage.  This isn't tradition. It's a national farce.  

It’s long past time we called it what it is: a glorified crime family in fancy hats, built on blood, racism, secrecy, and scandal.  The Dysfunctional Family Robinson

You’ve got to ask yourself what’s gone so catastrophically wrong when working-class people, the very ones living hand-to-mouth in damp council flats and counting coins for the leccy meter, are still doffing their caps to a pack of gold-plated parasites like the monarchy.  It’s nothing short of tragic: generations of people who should know better, waving their little chinese made plastic union flags like trained seals every time a grotesquely wealthy inbred pokes their head out of a golden carriage. People with nothing clapping for a family who wouldn’t piss on them if they were on fire, unless it was for a photo-op in Hello!.  The monarchy is the original benefits scrounger, but because they wear a tiara and live in a palace instead of signing on at the Jobcentre, they’re somehow above it all.  Meanwhile, working-class families are getting sanctioned for missing a Universal Credit appointment by ten minutes because the bus didn’t turn up. How can anyone with a scrap of dignity think that's fine?  It's brain rot, is what it is. Decades of tabloid propaganda, feeding people a steady diet of royal weddings, baby bumps, and funerals, spooned out to them by pious nonces on the BBC making them feel like the Windsors are some sort of national emotional support pet. When in reality, the royals are living proof that the class system is still a boot stamping on a human face forever.  

And let’s be honest: it’s Stockholm Syndrome on a national scale. Beat a people down long enough, rob them of their history, steal their self-respect, and they’ll end up waving the flag of the bastards who keep them there. “It’s tradition!” they cry. Yeah, so was sending kids up chimneys, but we don’t throw street parties for that.  The monarchy is a leech clamped onto the neck of Britain, a velvet-clad tumour sucking resources, dignity, and common sense out of the country. And working-class royalists? They’re the tragic victims of that very extraction, too battered by poverty, betrayal, and nostalgia to see that they’re cheering for the same gilded jackboot that’s been stamping them into the dirt for centuries.   It’s pathetic. It’s heartbreaking. And it needs saying, loud and clear: you’re not part of some great tradition by supporting the monarchy - you’re being mugged in broad daylight and handing over your last tenner with a grin.

If anything shows these people up for what they are it's the military cosplay.  Anyone else dressing up in a uniform they never served in or wearing medals they never earned would be rightly outed as a mitty.  But this lot do it and real soldiers salute them.  Yet, if I had a pound for amount of times some royalist without two pennies to rub together has got triggered because someone has criticised these grifters, I'd be as rich as them.  

It's a national disgrace yet the country hangs on to these parasites like a comfort blanket.

Brand Windsor is exactly that - a brand for a corporation, and it has its paw out.  

The British Royal Family would have you believe they’re paragons of military service, heroic, battle-hardened leaders, worthy of respect and reverence.  Quite frankly this is bollocks.  Their so-called service is a grotesque pantomime. An elaborate cosplay built on ceremonial roles, honorary titles, and medals they mostly did fuck-all to earn.  So today I'm going to pull it apart, with sources.

Royal Military Service: Privilege Dressed as Duty

Royal military service is often sold to the public as a noble act of duty, but in reality, it’s little more than privilege dressed up in uniform. While ordinary soldiers endure years of grinding service, dangerous deployments, and punishing discipline, royal family members are parachuted into prestigious roles, wrapped in ceremony, and shielded from the true hardships of military life. Their "service" is carefully choreographed: a few months in a smart uniform, a helicopter training course here, an honorary colonelcy there, all calculated to burnish their public image without exposing them to real danger or the drudgery faced by regular troops. It's PR, not sacrifice; it's theatre, not duty. Their medals and titles are handed out like party favours, a continuation of privilege by other means, allowing them to play at heroism while others do the fighting and dying

  • Charles: No war. Five-star general anyway.
  • Andrew: Fought once. Promoted forever.
  • William: No combat. Colonel anyway.
  • Edward: Quit training. Still in uniform.
  • Anne: Never enlisted. Top ranks anyway.
The royal family are nothing more than five-star generals of thin air, parading around with titles and titles alone, completely detached from the reality of warfare. Their so-called military leadership exists only in the realm of fantasy and tradition, where they wear rank with no genuine responsibility, command with no actual authority, and pretend to embody heroism while the real work is done by those who live and die on the front lines. These “generals” may attend ceremonies, give speeches, and pose for photo ops, but they don’t shoulder the weight of battle or experience the blood, sweat, and sacrifice that defines true military service. Their uniforms are just costumes, their ranks empty symbols of inherited privilege, and their so-called leadership little more than a glorified spectator sport for a family living in a gilded bubble.


  • Royal ranks are ceremonial.
  • They are automatically awarded by the reigning monarch, not earned through service or merit (House of Commons Library).
  • It takes normal soldiers decades of actual warfare, operations, and leadership to reach even one-star general level.
  • Royals leapfrog straight to five-star ranks (Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet, Marshal of the RAF) without firing a shot.

To underline just how ridiculous this is lets look at Prince Harry and Prince Andrew, who both had active service as helicopter pilots.  Becoming a military helicopter pilot is a rigorous and time-consuming process that typically takes several years of intense training and qualifications. The journey begins with basic officer training, followed by specialised flying training, which usually includes both ground school and flight hours. For the British Army Air Corps, for example, candidates undergo at least 18 months of basic and advanced flight training, mastering various types of helicopters and aviation tactics. After this, there’s additional time spent honing tactical flying skills and learning to operate in combat environments. It’s a journey that demands not only physical endurance and sharp mental agility but also a deep understanding of military strategy and discipline.  It also demands high academic qualifications.  Both Prince Harry and Prince Andrew had the best education money can buy, at Eton and Gordonstoun respectively, and both were serious under-achievers.  Yet becasue of birthright, both were given the opportunity to fast-track through this demanding process. Harry completed his helicopter training in just over a year, graduating as an Apache pilot. Andrew, meanwhile, had a similar trajectory, completing his training in a similar timeframe, largely because of his status and the Army's desire to publicly showcase the royals in active service roles. So it was that both completed the minimal necessary training, but their paths were far smoother than those of ordinary cadets, with birthright smoothing the way.  So even the medals they earned are tarnished by priviledge.

So we should take a brief look at the miltary background of the Royal family: 


Charles III

  • Charles served in the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force between 1971–1976 (source).
  • He flew basic RAF training flights and spent some time commanding HMS Bronington, but never saw combat.
  • Today, Charles holds the ranks of Field Marshal (British Army), Admiral of the Fleet (Royal Navy), and Marshal of the Royal Air Force, the highest ranks across the British military, awarded automatically by his mother in 2012 (BBC).

Translation: Charles played sailor for five years and now pretends he’s Montgomery.

Prince Andrew

  • Genuinely served in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot.
  • Participated in the Falklands War (1982), flying missions as a decoy to distract missiles from the fleet (Royal Navy Archives).
  • Fair play: he did real dangerous work.
  • But after Falklands? He got constant honorary promotions, reaching Vice Admiral without further active service (Sky News).

Translation: Fought once, rode it for 40 years, ended up disgraced.

Prince William

  • Served from 2006 to 2013.
  • Worked as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot with the RAF, flying missions in Wales (RAF).
  • Never saw combat zones.
  • Now holds honorary military titles like Colonel of the Irish Guards (British Army).

Translation: Good pilot, but not exactly Dunkirk is it?

Prince Harry

  • Actually served properly.
  • Completed two tours in Afghanistan (Ministry of Defence).
  • Earned operational medals (Afghanistan Service Medal).
  • Still wears the same ridiculous Jubilee medals and honorary junk as the rest (Forces.net).

Translation: One of the very few who genuinely earned military medals, but still draped in royal tat.

Prince Edward

  • Attempted Royal Marines training in 1986, quit after four months (BBC).
  • Despite quitting, still bagged multiple honorary military titles over the years.

Translation: Flopped out of boot camp. Still parades in uniform.


Princess Anne

  • Never served in the military.
  • Holds ceremonial ranks including General in the British Army, Admiral in the Royal Navy, and Air Chief Marshal in the RAF (Royal.uk).
  • Has collected more fake military titles than most career officers could dream of.

Translation: Real soldiers: risk lives. Royals: risk tripping over a sword.


The Medals — A National Joke

  • The rows of medals pinned to royal uniforms look impressive... until you realise they are mostly:
  • Golden Jubilee medal (2002) - awarded for existing in 2002
  • Diamond Jubilee medal (2012)- awarded for existing in 2012
  • Platinum Jubilee medal (2022) - awarded for existing in 2022
  • Coronation Medals (1953/2023) - awarded for existing in 1953 and 2023 and standing on a balcony

Jubilee medals are handed out to anyone serving at the time — including civil servants and emergency workers (GOV.UK).

Coronation medals are distributed for "loyal service," meaning showing up at events (Royal Collection Trust).

Royal Victorian Orders are literally personal thank-you gifts from the monarch (Royal.uk).

Meaning:

The medals the royals wear are less meaningful than a 10k Fun Run finisher’s medal.

The Orders: Aristocratic Cosplay

The Order of the Garter (founded 1348):

  • Handpicked by the monarch.
  • Given for service to the Crown (Royal.uk).
  • Recipients dress in medieval costumes and strut around Windsor Castle once a year like extras from a bad Robin Hood film.

The Order of the Thistle (Scotland):

  • Same deal. Same velvet robes. Same smug faces (Royal.uk).

Order of St Michael and St George:

  • Meant for diplomats and overseas service.
  • Royals grab it anyway without setting foot outside a palace (UK Government Honours List).

Royal Military Service is a LARP

  • Charles: No war. Five-star general anyway.
  • Andrew: Fought once. Promoted forever.
  • William: No combat. Colonel anyway.
  • Edward: Quit training. Still in uniform.
  • Anne: Never enlisted. Top ranks anyway.


King Charles III

  • Orders and Decorations:
    • Sovereign of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
    • Sovereign of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle
    • Sovereign of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath
    • Sovereign of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
    • Sovereign of the Royal Victorian Order
    • Sovereign of the Order of the Companions of Honour
    • Sovereign Head of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
  • Medals:
    • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee MedalWikipedia+1The Guardian+1


Queen Camilla

  • Orders and Decorations:
    • Royal Lady of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
    • Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    • Grand Master and First and Principal Dame Grand Cross of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
    • Member of the Royal Family Order of Charles III
    • Member of the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II
  • Medals:
    • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
    • King Charles III Coronation MedalWikipedia

Prince William, Prince of Wales

  • Orders and Decorations:
    • Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
    • Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle
    • Great Master and First and Principal Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath
  • Medals:


Catherine, Princess of Wales

  • Orders and Decorations:
    • Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    • Royal Companion of the Order of the Companions of Honour
    • Member of the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II
  • Medals:

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex

  • Orders and Decorations:
    • Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
  • Medals:
    • Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan
    • Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee MedalWikipedia


Prince Andrew, Duke of York

  • Orders and Decorations:
    • Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
    • Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
  • Medals:
    • South Atlantic Medal (Special Class)
    • Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
    • King Charles III Coronation MedalWikipedia


Princess Anne, The Princess Royal

  • Orders and Decorations:
    • Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
    • Extra Knight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle
    • Grand Master and Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order
    • Dame Grand Cross of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem
    • Member of the Royal Family Order of Charles III
    • Member of the Royal Family Order of Elizabeth II
  • Medals:
    • Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal
    • Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal
    • King Charles III Coronation MedalWikipedia

Their mitty military background is to distract from the ponsi scheme the Royal family really is. Very few of these medals have been earned in service. They are mostly trinkets.  If we saw some African or Middle Easter Banana Republic despot dressing up like this we'd see it for what it is - yet the British seem to have a blind spot when it come to Brand Windsor.  Sorry, brand Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg-Saxe-Coburg-Gotha-Spencer trading as Brand Windsor.  

They live in a cosplay fantasy world where uniforms, titles, and medals are performance art: not the result of courage, sacrifice, or blood spilled on real battlefields.  Meanwhile, real working-class soldiers who served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, who actually saw hell, get binned off onto the streets with PTSD and food bank vouchers.

Perhaps 400 years ago when the Royal Family actually all went onto the battlefield they might have had a point.  Now they are just grifters playing 'dressing up'. The Royal Family are military cosplayers who have stolen the image of sacrifice without ever paying the price.

They are not warriors.

They are ornamental parasites.

And Britain should be ashamed to keep saluting them.

After COVID, I, like every person who worked right through it in the NHS received a card saying I'd been jointly awarded the George Cross.  I sent it back.  It's as worthless as all the shit awarded above.



The world has gone mad.  If you enjoyed reading this, please feel free to look at the rest of the blogs on www.TetleysTLDR.com. They're free to view, there's no paywall, they aren't monetised and I won't ask you to buy me a coffee.  Also please free to share anything you find of interest, we only get the message out if people are aware of it.  Just a leftie, standing in front of another leftie, asking to be read.  All the best, Tetley



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