The family firm.

The queen cannot be held responsible for Versailles being
‘So much better’ than Windsor Castle surely

Oh I don't know. French monarchy spent their cash on creating something like Versailles. Ours managed Buck House (ugh!) and Windsor Castle (hmm). Perhaps indicating that British monarchs have never really had much taste, and continue in the same vein.

Versailles is not better than palaces, castles, and country houses in Britain, it’s different.

A British monarch didn’t build Buck house

I certainly don’t worship at the feet of royalty, but some of the insults on here, towards the royal family, are simply immature, and unworthy of supposedly mature people. The vitriolic comments are, quite frankly, more worthy of the playground than an online site for older people.

So let me get this straight- republicans love visiting palaces of extinct royalty but think that visiting palaces of existing royalty is naff?

Indeed Annie. In any case, Buckingham Palace is a working building, housing thousands of offices and officials, plus rooms of state. It is not a home, and does not belong to the royal family.

That seems to be about right Pantglas. Strange isn’t it?

Perhaps the fact that the extinct monarchy were executed appeals to the republicans ?

Perhaps they’ve adapted the old saying ‘The only good Indian is a dead Indian’..........

We could do as Russia did, put them in a room and shoot them, more civilised than chopping off heads ?

I don’t worship at the feet of royalty but the thought of a president, given our politicians? No thanks

Most of Buck House was built by a monarch Annie Only a small town house stood there originally.
I visit Roman forts- doesn't mean I believe in Roman society.
I visit medieval castles and houses-doesn't mean I believe in the feudal system.
maddyone It is not a home Does the Queen not live in Buck House then?

No I don't want the rf executed, and I'm sure I speak for many republicans. But I'm totally against having a privileged monarchy which is what we have. Most definitely.
I think some of the anti republican comments are just silly.

No trisher, the queen does not live in Buckingham Palace. It is a working building, she stays there during the week when she is working.
Her homes are Sandringham and Balmoral. Windsor Castle is both a home and a working castle, it serves two functions.

Privileged? Suppose if one thinks of wealth, but i don’t .

If that's your definition of privileged. ....

Not my definition annepl

It’s not about which is better it’s just saying you don’t have to have a current monarchy to attract visitors.

I believe the word privileged is relative - the royals (and most other people in this country) have more money than me but I have more money than millions that I saw in India. Silly word to use really....

The argument that the monarchy brings in tourists is rubbish hardly any tourists will see the royals. Plenty of places with dead monarchs get more tourists. People love a bit of history - that’s why they go to the Tower of London, Stratford on Avon, not cos they think Henry 8th or Will Shakespeare will actually be there.

maddyone the official royal UK site disagrees with you.
Whilst Buckingham Palace is seen as the administrative hub of the Monarchy, it is also very much a family home, in addition to holding The Queen's Gallery and the Royal Mews. The Queen gave birth to Prince Charles and Prince Andrew at the Palace, and to this day notice of royal births and deaths are still attached to the front railings for members of the public to read.

Thank you for that information trisher, in that case Buckingham Palace is a home.

However it belongs to the state, so I assume that if the monarchy was to be abolished, that Buckingham Palace would become the official residence of the president, whoever that might be.

Of course Buckingham palace is a home.

One of the many enjoyed by her maj and co. Okay so she may not live there full time, but nor would anyone who had second, third, fourth or even fifth homes.

trisher Charles was born 71 years ago . And how often does the queen pop around to the royal mews to saddle up a horse ?

Announcement of births and deaths at Buck house is a tradition, there for the public to read , doesn’t cost anything.