Prince Harry’s engagement

No more silly than a group of people who imgine that just being related to a monarch somehow makes a person special and someone who must be treated differently. I wonder how far this can be taken. We used to marry the RF off to the aristocracy in different countries, and at least get rid of some of them. Now there aren't many left to take them, so we are importing spouses or using home grown ones. This is resulting in the RF getting larger and larger. Far too many of them, they need to get proper jobs.

I wonder how far this can be taken
I don't know but Edward IV is in my family tree

Just call me HVRH
Most do have, or have had 'proper jobs' including me

Actually, the Royal Family has been greatly slimmed down, or at least the ones we pay to do the work we require of them.

"Slimmed down" !??? 1940- 1 king, 1 Queen, 2 children

2016 1 queen, 1 Do E, 1PoW, IDof C, 1 P. Andrew, 1 Princess Royal, 2 E&C of Wessex, 1P William and 1 Kate . I can't be bothered to do the rest. Of course it's slimmed down

Jalima, our world is paying mortgage/rent, cars passing the MOT , or not. Saving for birthdays/Christmas , shopping for groceries on line. Poor bus services, expensive taxi runs, just the normal day to day things. The homeless are not in that world either.

But they have worries as we do. The thought of one's children and grandchildren being mocked constantly must have an effect , that isn't our world.

1940 - one king and wife, 2 children

1964 - one queen, one husband , 4 children.

Just two more children

You're right - the rather privileged life-style is in payment for the hours of duty they perform on behalf of the nation and the Commonwealth. The lack of privacy and the rude mocking is not deserved imo.

Who are/were the non-political Heads of State in the world?

Members of the Royal Family have links with hundreds of charities, military associations, professional bodies and public service organisations. Some are well known, while others may be smaller bodies working in a very specialist area or on a local basis only.

Having a Royal patron or president provides vital publicity for the work of these organisations, and allows their enormous achievements and contributions to society to be recognised.

Would a President be prepared to do so much or a President's spouse do so much for charity?

I remember when our First Lady (Cherie) practically went on a smash and grab raid in an Australian factory when asked to select one or two items for her DC.

I think I heard on the news today that Meghan will bring the country £500 million. So why don't I expect any of that to fall into my pocket?

In 1940 there was one king, one Queen and two Princesses. Not to mention, old Queen Mary, the Dukes of Kent, Gloucester + families, the Earl of Carrisbrook + family,old Princess Beatrice, + family, the then Princess Royal ditto, old Princess Alice, the list was endless! 2017, the list is muchly the same but the expenditure considerably reduced and income tax collected more vigorously!

Meghan will be good for - the paparazzi and gossip mags who will have someone else to pursue and comment on ad infinitum, fashion houses who will no doubt give her freebies as they know whatever she wears/ bags/ shoes etc will get loads of publicity and be a sellout, makers of souvenir tea towels, mugs and other such tat. Anyone else?

''They could be installed in heritage buildings and opened to the general public (much like they used to lunatic asylums).''
[gin]
Well, I thought that was hilarious, Trisher. But as there won't be enough to go around I'll settle for a footman in this area. In fact, he can live in our house. I'll find plenty for him to do when he's not open to the public.

[gin] ??

Of course I meant . I think.

'Like they used to in lunatic asylums'?! I can't believe I've just read that! Are you a troll NTO?

A troll, niggly? Certainly I am not! I was just quoting Trisher's post which I found rather funny although I know others didn't.

So why don't I expect any of that to fall into my pocket?
You have to start selling mugs etc with her face on them anno

I think NotTooOld meant to use these ^^ nigglynellie
not [gin]

^^^^^^

actually I think I mean [gin] not

NotTooOld you can have the gin and the footman to serve it. It's in a good Royal tradition!

Well, thanks, Jalima and Trisher. You can call in for a G&T any time and if the footman is not around I'll pour it myself. Got it right that time!

Princess Margaret allegedly liked to pour her own G&Ts. She'd obviously sussed that the butler had been instructed to water them down.

Fake news indeed. And the spin doctors keep on spinning it!

Definition of spin:

In public relations and politics, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing a biased interpretation of an event or campaigning to persuade public opinion in favor or against some organization or public figure

Fake news?

merlot - I just read a biography of Princess Margaret. She liked whisky - probably she liked GnTs as well although maybe not at the same time - BUT the whisky had to come with a bottle of special spring water. However, if the butler ran out of the special spring water he would just fill an old bottle from the tap and give her that. She never noticed. Have we got off the subject of Prince Harry and wossername.....Meghan?

Apparently! I thought it was Queen mum who liked a G&T (and more than one).
Love the spring water NTO