Prince Harry’s engagement

I agree with all those who say that the RF needs “paring down” financially. We should pay them for doing their job but nothing more. Things are changing, slowly, and I think by the time William is king they will have changed dramatically. And quite right too.

No problems with the helicopter sg, so long as HE paid for it!,!! Surely we didn't?!!! Yes, apparently HM is more cost conscious than her offspring, and like you, bearing in mind their own enormous personal wealth, imo they should certainly foot the bill for their own personal jollies/foibles! Prince Andrews girls now have to pay for their own security, and, they say, he was said to have been very put out by this edict! Did he seriously think the state (i.e.. us) should pay for that. I don't think so!!!! ditto this wedding , which of course they are (wisely) paying for!!

We don’t need an elected President - we have. Prime Minister. The Queen is a constitutional Monarch and holds no actual power. Her ‘giving of consent’ to various matters is a traditional formality.
I guess we all like the parades, pomp and pageantry, and I’m ok with that. It’s the Royals job after all, but I really think they should live less expensively. No one needs the pampering that they receive. I gather that HMQ herself is more frugal than the others, bless her, but Prince Charles is said to have sent a helicopter to fetch his cuff links from Glos to Windsor - how much must that have cost?!
I think they should be more like the Scandinavian Royals, who still live jolly well thank you, but definitely less extravagantly.

Absolutely agree Day6.

Definitely not Welsh Jalima, enought the use a title which does not belong to them.

Agree, Mawbroom has commented for me too. Goodness this has brought out a few mean spirited girls.

*what's the betting that, if we had an elected President, the system would cost even more.
I can't see a President walking around turning off lights in empty rooms or putting up with a leaky roof.*

I agree Jalima. I like her Maj.
I want a monarch, not a president, but, I think we need to limit, quite severely, the amount of taxpayers money which is used to ensure the royal family live as they do. I know the royals have to fork out for some things themselves but they are heavily subsidised.

We need a cull....not in the violent sense, but we do need to pare down the expense of the family. I don't want a penny of taxpayers' money to go (even inadvertently) to the likes of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, for example. I am sure they are nice girls but.....

I would like to see some of the expense of keeping up the charade be spread around to better, more worthy causes.
what's the betting that, if we had an elected President, the system would cost even more.
I can't see a President walking around turning off lights in empty rooms or putting up with a leaky roof.
And, although many people in this country seem to despise the Monarchy, there are millions around the world who just love ours.

Oh my goodnes, it has begun, Meghan has to be baptised ,then confirmed and then become a British Citizen, I wonder if she knows what she is letting herself in for. I hope they will both be very happy, they seem to suit each other.

Wonder what will be chosen, Edward is set to be Duke of Edinburgh when his father dies , can't really see them choosing Hereford , Sussex ? Not right really.

Something Welsh?
Or not?

I agree Stella we shouldn't be paying for Royal weddings with the country being in austerity and a lots of people are struggling they have enough money to fund their own wedding

We're not paying. HM is out of her own money.

I'm now pondering whether it's actually a problem if someone hates the monarchy and its representatives. Why would it be worse than someone loving it/them? If you can 'allow' the latter, then you must 'allow' the formerjust to cover the full spectrum of human attitudes to such things.

Oooh Baggs, very deep and philosophical {grin] but yes, fair point.

I am not sude where I stand. Part of me envies Royal privilege and wealth. Do they appreciate just how lucky they are? No headaches, worries or budgeting for Harry and his fiancee as they plan their wedding, and no washing up to do after they 'cooked roast chicken' in their 'cottage' <cough> in Kensington Palace. It's a different, very privileged world and part of me thinks it very unfair that Royalty should be so pampered.

I'd like to see us paring down the Royal family when the Queen dies. I like her, and I do not dislike any of the royal family but the institution is at odds with society. No way do I want a republic (Blair or someone of his ilk for President - no thank you very much!) but I do think the Royals have become even more like two-a-penny celebrities of late, jet setting off everywhere and hanging out in the most exclusive of places. If they are going to be royal then they need to distance themselves imo - BUT it isn't their fault we have a prying press and social media intrusion. I would like to see some of the expense of keeping up the charade be spread around to better, more worthy causes.

Having said that I wish the couple well. They seem very in love. I am not convinced they are well-suited, but what do I know? I like Harry so I am glad he has found happiness.

Well we’ve all had our say. Most of us are happy for them and wish them well, whatever our reservations might be. The predictable few are full of bitterness, as they seem to be most of the time ...

Niggly,i was shocked to read what the Telegraph had done, so cruel.

I think you're the one who spews bile. I don't call people whoever they are names or deride them simply because of who they are,
Oh FGS, experts, so called, deciphering how long this marriage will last! How hateful is that, I give up. As for people paying for this garbage?!! I'm sure I don't know!!!

Yes, it’s a fair bet oldwoman70

Never a truer word said Oldwoman!

Why do I feel that if the RF paid for the wedding (which they are), bought the dress from a charity shop, held the reception in the local pub and gave everyone in the country £1,000 each - it would make no difference to the vitriol and dislike being expressed.

Anyone with any sense knows exactly what the subtext with MM is and will continue to be.

And * niggly* I don’t hate WK - I don’t pretend to know her like so many royalists do - I hate the institution of the monarchy and everything it stands for. She’s a classic example of all that is wrong with it. Clearly your posts show you are totally incapable of differentiating between the two issues. But do you know how to spew your bile at me?????

Oh here we go again - NLS calling me a nasty piece of work is not free speech, it’s a personal attack which is against the guidelines but I won’t report it because it’s better left so people can judge you for what you are............

Lemon, it's as if this family have no feelings, cannot be hurt , cruel

On matters like a royal wedding Annie the press / media/social media gets worse and worse.

Hate brings harm, love does not , hate hurts the hater ,love does not

Baggs your posts are very......you!