Eugenie’s wedding

I really don't think we should pay for anything at all. They have far more money than any of us and are quite capable of paying for themselves. AND please don't tell me they bring in tourists as that's rubbish. The biggest tourist spot is Paris and they gave their royal family the chop long ago.

Peter Phillips is 14 in line and Zara 17 in line , Andrews daughters are 8th and 9th

Peter Phillips wife was R.C, she chose to be baptised into the Anglican Church so he could keep his place in the line up.

The sons of Charles would automatically be titled as they were at the time second and third in line to the throne.

I have no feelings of animosity towards the Royal Family but as a Republican I believe that in a truly democratic society it is inappropriate to have a head of state who is unelected and has attained the position purely by accident of birth.

Gosh, Lazigirl a reasoned post about which we could have a sensible debate!!

Having just seen photos of Prince Phillip attending church at the weekend, one wonders if he will be around for Eugenie's wedding. I hope he is. He is 97 but he looked very frail. I suppose most 97 year olds do though!

Just a thought, can anyone tell me why Edwards daughter Louise is only a lady, and not a Princess?

Edward is the brother of Andrew, Charles and Anne, the son of the Queen. Anne chose for her children not to have titles but Charles and Andrews children are Princes and princesses. Did Edward and Sophie do the same as Anne?(To my mind, Sophie Wessex is the most regal and poised of our royals after the Queen, even though she is a commoner who married into The Firm.)

Too many posts to read so sorry if someone has already posted this. Libby Purves (a monarchist) wrote at length in The Times today (Monday) about the York family and questioned the carriage ride/invitations to the public that has taken the expense of the wedding through the roof largely because of the huge policing needed.

What have these two girls done to cause such hatred? They are the product of their parents, their father seems besotted with them, it was for him to tell them to get a job, he is probably angry Charles slimmed down the number of working Windsors and he is certaintly not eager to work, queenie is not going to treat them differently to her other grandchildren hence they pop up at Ascot and on the balcony and I can certaintly understand that.

I have no feelings of animosity towards the Royal Family but as a Republican I believe that in a truly democratic society it is inappropriate to have a head of state who is unelected and has attained the position purely by accident of birth.

I am truly shocked by the unpleasant tone of some of the more embittered posts on here. It’s very offputting. I like to think most Gransnetters are people I would like to know, but I’m beginning to wonder.

I share the general view that Eugenie and Beatrice, their father and their mother don't seem to be likeable individuals. I accept that the pubic purse covers the cost of security because its security for all of us. The RF are targets which means anyone in their vicinity would be caught up if a terror attack succeeded.
I remain surprised at the level of vitriol directed at these two young women for their poor choice of clothing. The idea of mature women sitting 'having a good laugh' at the Bride's frock or the clothes the sister will be wearing makes me uncomfortable, to say the least.

Attack the York family for not contributing enough to the people whose taxes keep them in comfortable circumstances and it seems, endless holidays. Attack Sarah Ferguson for attempting to sell time with her ex husband to a fake Shiekh - for the toe sucking incident which took place in front of her then small daughters. Andy for his dubious friendships, particularly those with men accused of sexual offences against teenage girls. The list of 'mistakes' is endless. Why not direct anger and criticism against those issues. Why do women old enough to be grandparents talk about laughing at the clothes ill advised and rather daft young women chose to wear. As for the use of the word "bitchy" to describe such humour, give us a break.

I believe it was mentioned after Prince Louis was born that the Duchess of Cambridge would be taking maternity leave and not returning to royal duties before October. So 6 months.
If Princess Eugenie wants a carriage ride around Windsor like her cousin her father should be footing the bill. But I don't think many people would be bothered to watch. She has to remember that Prince Harry is very popular, particularly with the armed forces, whereas few people have a good word to say for her and her sister.

I hope your daughter's job is safe, btw.
Yes, my DC have been made redundant more than once so I can understand it is worrying.

Even if the Yorks lived in a council house (which others may need anyway) it's not going to change things for others less well-off.

There are multi-billionaires in this country who do flaunt their wealth in a vulgar fashion and they are the ones that make me cross!

Sorry Jalima1108. I don't want to bring back the guillotine, that goes without saying. However I can't help regretting our Restoration in 1660. The feudal system has a lot to answer for - apart from the RF, the present day aristocracy still own so much land and so many privileges. When we have so many families living in poverty, these pampered Yorkies really are a disgrace. My daughter works for a local council and her job is under threat from the cuts, so I am a little biased.
I'll stop now. Have a lovely evening all.

Hailstones on the bride wouldn’t give anything but upset for the bride and please a very bitter mind , I hope the sun shines , as I do for all brides .

Or hoping it will hail on a bride

I was thinking on similar lines about some of the posts on here, Jalima. I admit I've had a laugh at Beatrice and Eugenie's choice of hats in the past, but I can't imagine getting all excited at the prospect of scoffing at a young girl's wedding dress.

although I do know a few young friends of the DD who haven't gone back to work yet, with children older than Kate's.

It was too, I remember that! The mortgage rates I mean.

(I am only quoting from the government website re maternity leave!)

Thank you Jalima1108. It just makes me laugh at how the term "Maternity Leave" is applied now to a member of the RF. I had to go back to work 6 weeks after the birth of each of my children as we couldn't afford to lose any of my pay, had a hefty mortgage and interest rate was 15% in 1983. Hey ho.

Hope it hailstones on that open carriage
Lovely!

You must have a heart of gold beelaine

Spiteful, vile and nasty to wish that on a bride, whoever she is, on her wedding.

The French had the right idea.
What - you want to bring back the guillotine linamillion?
That is a bit drastic.
And look what happened next - restorations, nepotism, self-styled emperors who proclaimed themselves emperors for life, occupation, two governments (one in exile), Politics of 'Grandeur', lavishly spending Presidents etc ……
I doubt even HM spends 60,000 euros on her hair cuts.

Compare all that to the relatively stable GB over the same period of time under an a-political monarchy and I know which I prefer.

I do like the Royal Family but the dorkie yorkies (or hollibob highnesses) really annoy me. It seems we have a branch of the family that want the status of being royal without doing any duties, or working to find their own way in life - its so unfair on other royals who do their duty and get off their arse every morning. Also they are a bit of a joke, its almost pantomine as they have no bloody idea of reality.

Hope it hailstones on that open carriage just because it costs extra in security costs and the public are footing the bill.

And yes, how long is Kate's maternity leave?
In answer to your question
I think she's had 17 weeks since the birth of Louis, I'm not sure how long she took before the birth. She's entitled to 52 weeks, so a while to go yet.