What is the Monarchy For?

merlotgran
These royal offspring can choose their own way of life as many of their relatives have already. It's too cushy and financially beneficial a life to give up for so many of them - hence why they spend an occasional day trying to show us they are just like us.

Not the monarch and heir

But, dalrymple23, we pay inheritance tax and they don't.

Yes Calendergirl there couldn’t be further reductions by William

Anniebach

Very few working members of the royal family now compared to the late queens monarchy, the Gloucesters and Kent’s make very few public appearances probably because of their many years supporting the late Queen and their age., 7 family members now

When the Gloucesters and the Kents die, (sorry to be blunt) that will reduce the numbers quite a bit, as their offspring do no official duties, and just attend weddings, funerals, and similar.

And as they are all a good age, older than Charles, some by quite a few years, I think William will put it down to ‘natural wastage’.

(I could only think of 6 members Anniebach).

Wendy Berry had signed a confidentiality agreement when she was employed by Charles and Diana, her book was published in America, she chose self imposed exile from uk, but secretly came back to nurse her son, she broke her confidentiality agreement for money

Very few working members of the royal family now compared to the late queens monarchy, the Gloucesters and Kent’s make very few public appearances probably because of their many years supporting the late Queen and their age., 7 family members now

I too echo the positive comments from those who are in favour of the slimmed down Royal Family.

Congrats to Eloethan, for writing a strong contender for the daftest comment of the year (pretty stiff competition, too)?

That "the media is being used as propagandists for the royal family, rather than just as conveyors of news." apparently is due to having missed the umpteen reports of Andrew's assorted Epstein misdemeanours, the umpteen reports of him losing titles, property, etc, and the ongoing umpteen reports of him appearing in Epstein's photos and files (the ones that Chump is desperately trying to get edited so that his name and grinning face don't upset the dwindling core of his support even more).

What a sheltered life you must lead?!

I found this thread refreshingly challenging of the status quo, which is not always the case in Gransnet. Then, I thought, are the above arguments republican or Republican, ie home grown British, or American MAGA-Republican? I have no idea who owns Gransnet. Message contents can be edited. It is no secret Trump is wanting to exert control where he can, eg being abusive about Europe; Vance trying to interfere in UK abortion policy... Just a thought...

Franski

I think the RF cost £1 per British citizen. They don't hold any political authority so they are benign. Very happy to enjoy the continuity and tradition they represent.

They rake £millions in from their estates and sea beds, money that should be pumped into public services to benefit all citizens. They shouldn't cost "us" a penny when they have such huge income streams. Why on earth are "we" giving them money, it beggars belief.

Paddyann54 what a load of tripe!

All parents need to bring their children up in a stable and loving home - Kate and William are doing what all parents are expected to, they seem absurdly rewarded for their efforts by us!

But their children can hopefully grow up without any press intrusion and choose their own way of life.

William and Charles and heirs before them were all affected by turbulent or distant relationships with their parents. George appears to be a confident and caring boy. We’re not rewarding his parents. He is!

They have a lot of control over the press and influence on government - maybe watch the documentary. They are far from benign. They cost a lot more than £1 per citizen - and not just British citizens! They might like you to think that, it's not true.

I think the RF cost £1 per British citizen. They don't hold any political authority so they are benign. Very happy to enjoy the continuity and tradition they represent.

I have visited tourist attractions such as Versailles and the Winter Palace many years after the French, and the Russians, removed their monarchs
I'm not sure that the argument that they attract tourists is clear cut*

Likewise- queues were enormous too!

All parents need to bring their children up in a stable and loving home - Kate and William are doing what all parents are expected to, they seem absurdly rewarded for their efforts by us!

merlotgran 👏👏👏👏

I have visited tourist attractions such as Versailles and the Winter Palace many years after the French, and the Russians, removed their monarchs.
I'm not sure that the argument that they attract tourists is clear cut.

merlotgran 😉👏👏, the press has chosen its goody and baddy,

Well said Merlotgran.

I agree some things need changing, but William is already planning on doing so

I think it’s unfair to credit William prematurely with any changes he might make when Charles has been making as many changes as he can leading up to and during his reign so far.

Camilla is playing the supporting role he has always needed and has made changes if her own.

William and Kate are providing their own heir and spares with a stable and loving childhood. That’s the most important change they can make right now if the monarchy is to survive.

I doubt whether a tiny minority of tourists ever see any Royals. Besides, France and Italy get more tourists than the UK and neither of them have monarchies which puts paid to that belief .

Of course no retirement for royals

Charles only became King st the age of 73! He was still serving an apprenticeship. Why do you think that was? William was serving the same apprenticeship alongside him! He is now 43 and still not in 'the job'. Their wives and in the queens case, her husband, did/do nothing but support the monarch.

By no means are they doing onerous jobs - state dinners they attend and say a few pleasantries at, prime seats at galas, meet dignitaries, cut ribbons etc. They do not make decisions for the government, don't stand for election, don't get judged by regulatory bodies like Ofsted, don't ever go without financial support, risk losing their job, never have to worry about childcare, healthcare, education, transport, employment or even unemployment or pensions! Ye gods, it's by pure chance Andrew isn't the King and Fergie the Queen! Nothing positive has come from Edward or Andrew's pampered lifestyle on the taxpayer - quite the opposite! Yet to see what William with his temper and lack of forgiveness can bring to 'the firm', but half his life has passed with no evidence of anything apart from being a dad!

I have always liked having a monarchy and that will never change. I don't understand all the resentment and complaints about them. Some of them work very hard for their country. There are some awful freeloaders, obviously Andrew and Sarah, who I hope will go and live in another country and never be heard of again. I feel very sorry for their daughters. And YES they do bring in tourists, as people in other countries love to see the various elaborate, centuries-old ceremonies, pageantry, and formal traditions (like Trooping the Colour, coronations, State Opening of Parliament, and Jubilees) that mark major national, constitutional, and royal events, using music (like Elgar's marches), elaborate dress, and processions to create spectacle, reinforce national identity, foster continuity, and project majesty, combining solemnity with public celebration.
I can't stand Charles and even less Camilla, ever since their scandalous goings on, and was very sad when Diana died and I went to watch the funeral procession with my mother. I am looking forward to when William is king and Catherine Queen. There is no way Camilla is my Queen.
I agree some things need changing, but William is already planning on doing so. Yes, they should pay tax, but I understood that they already do so.

I’m a royalist too.I loved the Queen and I think Charles has excelled in his role,even though he has been battling cancer.The alternative is awful.