[General] British vs British subjects

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mokbon

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Hello:D

What is the difference between "British" and "British subjects"?

When can we use "British subjects"? in History?
 

konungursvia

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Subject in this context is both positive and negative. A subject is a citizen of a colony of the UK. A second-class citizen if you will. On the other hand, we say "subjects of Her Majesty", meaning members of the Commonwealth.

So, the British are those with UK citizenship, while British subjects are citizens of other British territories subject to (under the rule of) the monarchy.
 

5jj

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A subject is a citizen of a colony of the UK. A second-class citizen if you will. On the other hand, we say "subjects of Her Majesty", meaning members of the Commonwealth.

So, the British are those with UK citizenship, while British subjects are citizens of other British territories subject to (under the rule of) the monarchy.
Thanks for bringing me up-to-date. I knew I was a British citizen, but thought that technically I was also a British subject. Apparently I have not been one for nearly thirty years.

Amazing what you can discover in this forum.
 

Tdol

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Me too; I had thought that we were all subjects because we were in a monarchy, which has always grated.
 

5jj

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Me too; I had thought that we were all subjects because we were in a monarchy, which has always grated.
I suppose we are still the Queen's subjects. That's nice, isn't it?

ps. Are we having a usingenglish street party for the nuptials?
 

konungursvia

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Right, I think it's an all men are kings but not all kings are men situation: subjects who are not Brits are merely subjects, whereas Brits can think of themselves as subjects of the monarch if they prefer, or just citizens of the UK. I think.
 

mokbon

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Many replies!!
Thank you, konungursvia, fivejedjon, Tdol

And whose the nuptials is it?
 

5jj

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[FONT=&quot]Whose nuptials? -

Miss [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Catherine Elizabeth[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Middleton and His Royal Highness Prince William Arthur Philip Louis of Wales, Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society. [/FONT]
 
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Tdol

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I suppose we are still the Queen's subjects. That's nice, isn't it?

ps. Are we having a usingenglish street party for the nuptials?

Absolutely- send me the link to the YouTube video of you singing the national anthem again, please. :-D
 

5jj

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Or was it fifth?
 
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