The queen's decor

I'm with Lilygran on this.
The Royal family bring millions of pounds to the economy, and some of these threads smack of prejudice and jealousy.

I'm tempted to say that if you'd prefer an alternative then perhaps you're living in the wrong country.

Many, many people abroad admire our Royal family too, and they can't all be wrong too.

Why assume we are jealous.

We do not have a choice about the country we are born into. Never had enough money to emigrate and haven't now.

Nice, CelticRose. You forgot about all the football stadiums and teams.

We do not have a choice about the country we are born into.

Some of your posts sound really bitter, dj. If this country is so awful why are so many people desperate to live here?

Why are people who criticise Liz et al always accused of jealousy? I'm not jealous of anyone. I just don't see why I have to help to pay for the upkeep of someone who has more than enough money to look after herself.

I don't want to be pedantic (yes of course I do!) but it's envy, not jealousy. She's the Head of State, vq, that's why!

Envy etc has nothing to do with this, who on earth would be envious of them? I have not said I would choose an elected head of state , I think the Windsors should move into the 21st century , they cost the country far too much money. As for the tourists they are suppose to bring in, France has more tourists than England does. The most visited place in London is the tower, buck house is fifth on the list of tourist attractions and that is only open to the public two months of the year . Perhaps some countries admire the royal family but don't want one in their country. Australia will proberly vote to opt out as will Canada . The people of other countries see the royals as celebrities, they do not have to pay for their extravagant life style . I have nothing against Charles and Camilla getting their bottoms on the throne , I do have a problem with having to pay for the security for Camilla's family home because she needs a bolt hole. We paid for a building to be erected on her estate to house the security team, this is so wrong. And I assure those who accuse me of envy you are so wrong. Perhaps you will explain why you think Andrews daughters should have apartments in St James when they afford to buy their own. So not envy, I just dislike people struggling on low wages paying tax and this very large family grabbing every penny they can

How do they calculate the number of visitors to Buckinham Palace - most of them just stay outside and watch the changing of the guards etc and that is a free spectacle and 365 days a year.

The monarchy costs each UK citizen around 56p a year. Do all those who want to do away with it really think that the treasury would suddenly be awash with money if Liz & Co. were despatched to the Royal Knackers Yard?

Dream on.

They can have my 56p. Bargain!!

Royal residences are good for their local economy. The gardens at Sandringham are hugely popular and the farm estate obviously offers job opportunities. Who cares if the Queen only visits a few times a year?

There are many times I shout, 'How much?'or 'Why should we pay for that? but I know deep down we are better of with the monarchy which has served us well.

I think Prince Charles will continue to be a safe pair of hands but I'm not so sure about William

I need my 56p more than they do.

Why is saying we do not have a choice about the country we are born into bitter? I was just being honest. It's the truth.
Loopy said we ought to move country if we do not like it here. I was just responding to that.
Did you have a choice about where you were born, merlot?

Did you know that Royal wills are sealed? Everyone else's are public records. This started in 1910 when Prince Francis of Teck (Queen Mary's brother) left the prized family jewels to his mistress. Queen Mary persuaded a judge to seal the will so that a scandal could be averted. Since then all royal wills have been sealed so we can never find out what they owned and how it's shared out. That means we can't find out how much inheritance tax they're avoiding paying. The Queen Mother is thought to have left around £70 million to her daughter. Of course we can't be sure because her will is sealed. But what is certain is that the Queen didn't pay inheritance tax.

Sandringham belongs to the Queen and is a private estate not a royal residence like Buckingham Palace.

I don't think I have ever seen exactly what this 56p per head covers. I bet it doesn't include security for the whole clan.

Incidentally, inheritance tax is not paid on a deceased monarch's estate. It wasn't paid on the late Queen Mother's estate either.

I didn't have a choice any more than you did, dj but I was only in it for two years then I lived in the middle East until secondary school age.

Your continuous complaining about anything and everything does get a bit tedious though.

We're not that badly off, all things considered.

We are still paying for T. Blair's security which includes police at all his houses, here and abroad, and air fares and hotel bills when he goes on one of his very frequent trips abroad. And for all the previous PMs and various other ministers. That's what happens when someone's role puts them at risk.

No, the 56p doesn't include security.

But as 56p is all it costs for the main outlay (which must be quite substantial) perhaps another 10p a year might cover it...

Let's round it up to 70p a year just to be on the safe side!

I'm sure it was something like 76p per head a year or so ago Ana so maybe we've clawed some back....Result!!

Sorry it's a link, but this was only last year!

news.sky.com/story/1289418/royal-family-costs-taxpayer-56p-per-person

Have it your own way, merlot.

I want my 56p/70p/76p or any other amount I pay for their upkeep back.

vampirequeen Sorry – crossed posts.

I don't think you can criticise the queen for having someone else to run her bath. Apart from the long-standing tradition of those with servants having their baths run by servants, the example of Princess Margaret's dreadfully scalded legs when she stepped into an almost boiling bath must still be in her mind.

Lots of points made. I don't think the late mother was a monarch - only a consort. And, allegedly, the daughter of a maid - or was it a pantry assistant. Has anyone else noticed the guesswork about monies they pay or bequest? I thought the late mother was bankrupt and in debt! I wish I could afford a creative accountant(s), but then you need money/property, etc, etc. to keep them employed. I would also like the team of doctors that could keep me fit and healthy for years even with life threatening diseases. I would like housekeepers and gardeners, and having my bath ready for me (without having to consider water meter use). I suppose I am lucky that I have somewhere to live and can still earn minimum wage. I don't know why I ended up reading about Turning the Table and speaking to the person on my left at dinner. Very important protocol and weighs heavily on the royal mind apparently. Lots of german relatives visit regularly according to latest news and stay at public owned historic residences. I wonder who pays for these visits. And yet... German people do not want a monarchy.

Running a bath is for common people.

The Queen has servants to draw her a bath.

I just do not understand the defence of the money paid out for the Windsors, when the late QM was rushed into hospital when in Scotland a whole hospital floor was closed for security purposes , who can justify this?

All the houses in Windsor castle grounds are grace and favour homes.

William has a 57 roomed apartment , Harry, the both Kent couples, the Gloucesters, have apartments in Kensington Palace but William, Kate and Harry have their offices in St James.

Princess Alexander, Andrews daughters have apartments in St James

Andrew and Edward have their London residences in buck house . Andrew also has a house in Windsor.

Why can they not do as everyone else , either get a mortgage or rent their own houses .

This is not envy, it is my views on a very large family who are very wealthy yet we have to house and pay security for