And What Do You Do? Book about the Royal Family by Norman Baker

This is a cogent, timely and very important study of an ancient institution, the monarchy, which has evolved highly modern methods of spin and obfuscation - especially about its money. Respect for a dedicated long-serving Queen has stifled analysis of the remarkable "shell game" which generations of her family and courtiers have shuffled assets and income between public and private (not unlike MPs and peers "flipping" their residences to help their allowances) and hidden the true costs of the Royal Family to its taxpaying subjects. Looking deeper behind Norman Baker's vivid stories and telling analysis one picks up a sense of the extraordinary lives they lead, and the weird assumptions on which these are based. At least one member might now be happier if he had lived a normal life of paying for his own holidays and going to parties at Pizza Express.

twitter.com/robabdul/status/1209876821325631488?s=20

Erm, I thought he did go to Pizza Express?

Brace yourself Grany. I will be watching without comment. Less stressful.

I have been reading this book
It has passed my expectations of just ridiculous it is that we continue to pay for this family to live such privilege lives.

A really good read for anyone not sure how they feel about the RF

They cost us far more than is usually made public. Just security is an ongoing huge expense.

Time to cull.

I think Charles will cull the numbers in the Firm. He realises the pitfalls ahead and will streamline. Jumps before being pushed I think.

Thanks Grany for this thread. I didn’t know Norman Baker is a 62y old former MP from Aberdeenshire. The book was published this year and is getting rave reviews!

I shall buy it on my Kindle.

Only worry is, I might have to up my blood pressure tablets when reading it!

I thought it was dreadful. Badly written, historically selective, polemical. I am no royalist, but found it practically unreadable.

I guess people believe that they contribute few pence a year and that Royalty bring in money because of tourism is proven untrue This would open a few people's eyes to the total cost and what is kept hidden. A good enough reason to read the book.

A Royal protection officer speaks about PA in an interview and has written a book.

I think our Queen is an incredible woman who has taken her vows seriously and puts the country first.

William and Kate are great role models and instil great confidence for the future of the monarchy.

I am proud to be British and mightily proud of our Queen. I love to be in London watching the tourists marvel at the palaces.

I went to see the Queen Mother laying in state, it was incredible.
I was also fortunate enough to be in Horseguards for Diana’s funeral.

As a family we stood for the National Anthem before the Queens speech.

Right ready for the onslaught.......,,

The author of the book is a republican , a Lib MP who was in the cabinet with the Tory/Lib coalition government

Does he give full facts of the chartered jets, when and to where?

Also where are the freebie holidays spent ?

You won't get any onslaught from me Missfoodlove! I love the pageantry and history of the RF, and every time I see the mounted cavalry I feel a surge of pride!
Our Queen is indeed an incredible woman, Prince Charles for all the ups and downs will imo make an excellent king. William and his family are as you say great role models for the future and the monarchy if allowed, will be safe in their hands.
No one wastes more money than the EU, but of course no criticism of that institution!!
Along with you I now have my tin hat on!

I’m not going to insult anyone by criticising their opinions, all I will say is that there is no way I would curtsy to anyone or stand for the national anthem as I feel it’s not about the UK it’s just about the royals who in my humble opinion are a waste of money, money which could be better spent on saving lives in the cash strapped NHS amongst many other things our country needs.
We are spending money on keeping their palaces and mansions in order when we have so many homeless including veterans.
If the Royals care about ordinary hard working people as they say they do they should think of these things.
In my opinion these jewels and Art could be sold and the money be put to re build our country, which would be far better than hanging on their necks and walls.
Rant over ?

People in Republican countries stand for their National Anthem so not that unusual! I don't think that bowing and curseying is obligatory any more, and certainly won't be when William becomes King. Just shaking hands will do, you know, normal good manners!!

They don’t own the palaces . The Queen owns two private properties, should she give them away ?

Every country has a head of state, and ours is very popular all around the world. It's surely impossible to not admire our Queen for her total dedication throughout her long life.
Prince Charles will be a good king, in my opinion,. and William after him. Some streamlining would be welcome;
even though I am a monarchist I agree it is needed.

There are a lot of facts and figures in the book. It is a very interesting read as also info and stories about their personalities.
It doesn't come across as gossip. The info is mostly backed up as far as I can remember.
I don't know this MP author but he seems fairly decent for a politician!

I have borrowed the book from the Library and will want to reread as my memory is so rubbish but even i was shocked at how much of the truth is mostly kind of hidden from the public.
They cost us a huge amount of money but more than that, they prop up the inequality of the country as if it is their God given right.

the book is up to date enough to mention the P.Andrew current crisis but he comes out badly for other reasons anyway which make him look very entitled and very rude unless he wants to charm.

I agree that a streamlined Royal Family is probably a necessity; however, as long as there is a demand for the services of some of the extended family such as Princess Anne, the Wessexes, why should they not contribute and be paid expenses from the overall Sovereign Grant which is allocated to the Head of State and for is required?

A President would probably cost just as much, if not more.

I remember Norman Baker, lost his seat in 2015.
Not that popular then.

I don't know this MP

No, he is rather a nonentity who keeps trying to get himself in the limelight.
HM Queen, however, is known and admired worldwide.

Except by some of her citizens in the UK it seems.

So easy to bring Andrew into it to strengthen his belief as a republican.

The author is not an MP he lost his seat in 2015, I think him a
hypocrite, the BBC ran an investigation some ŷears ago and found he had failed to declare a financial interest in Tibet on 37 occasions during parliamentary debates and questions,
he said it was an oversight.

I respect his work for animal rights

I think the Queen has served her country long & well, taking her vows seriously and is respected as our head of state around the world. But, I do think we really need a more streamlined, modern, more open royal family such as in The Netherlands and Scandinavia. The book if anyone is interested is available on Amazon at a special price of £2.49.

The continuing saga of Good Royal/Bad Royal never ceases to amuse me. It's either the best planned PR routine in history or simply a coincidental way of covering up reality. Charles is suddenly GR and Andrew has taken his place as BR (sharing slightly with Harry and Meghan). Who will be next??? The book sounds great by the way. Must order it. As for slagging off the writer the Romans used to kill the messengers who brought bad news!!!

Interesting that we are allowed to criticise the Royal Family endlessly but we're not supposed to criticise the supremely ever-irritating ex MP Norman Baker.

He was always an attention-seeker!

(ducks for cover)

the royals don’t sue, pity, exception being a minor member of the family.