Hard times all over I guess

Downsize. If you can't afford it,get rid of it. Nothing personal intended here but if the common people can't afford something they do with out it. How many homes does one actually need anyhow?

British Monarchs have been perpetually broke since William poked Harold in the eye at Hastings.  This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone.

Oh, and just for the record, this was one of the reasons us Yanks did away with Royalty outright.  We had this to say about King George III.

"He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance."

you can say what you like about the queen, (without fear of getting your head chopped off, or disappearing like they do in certain parts of the world) she is more concerned about us commoners than a lot of the government and civil servants (surely a contradiction in terms) and the rich people who only tolerate us so that we can do their bidding, eg: go to war as cannon fodder, or work until we drop in their sweat shops.

but surely this isnt just a UK phenomenon oh no, it's world wide. even you americans who "threw" us brits out (and we thank you for that) have the same "have/have nots" in society.

so you cant really knock the queen being a figure head and being paid an obscene amount of money for doing the job.

on the other hand, prince charles who is first in line for the throne, takes no money from the civil lists. he lives on the rents from his property, i believe.

we are all put on this earth for a purpose, what it is only time will tell

phill

Cam, can you see the sense in paying obsene amounts of money to footballers, basketball players, rock stars, investment bankers etc etc?

It is said the the monarch is chosen by God and the history of accession is not only ancient, but incredibly convoluted and really too complex to go into here, (lots of blood and gore, a civil war, several claimants etc etc, all the usual stuff really). However, amongst other things the monarch is also the head of the Church of England, (Defender of the Faith), and Head of the Commonwealth. The money that the Royals bring into the British economy as a result of tourism alone more than justifies the expense a fact that thankfully the majority of those fortunate enough to be born British, and therefore in a position to voice an opinion, recognise. In terms of attracting foreign investment their value is incalculable, Prince Andrew for example is a great ambassador for British business, it's a shame the same can't be said for Prince Philip who has an incredible history of committing faux pas but then he is Greek. Ok Edward is a bit of a waste of space but every family's got one and Princess Anne has more balls than all the boys put together, (not to mention an Olympic medal).

As for being broke, as an earlier poster has already said, if the Queen's broke I'll take some of that please!

The problem with giving the Government responsibility for the upkeep of some of the greatest buildings in Britain, (in fact for pretty much anything these days), would be that they would undoubtedly become run down and would eventually fall into complete disrepair as costs were slashed and slashed again to pay for more homes for the terminally afraid of work, more investment in the H and S executive and more money poured into the corrupt and seemingly wholly unaccountable banking system, not to mention of course our equally corrupt and unaccountable politicians.

As an Englishman and a Royalist to me the Queen is untouchable, like Winston Churchill, the 1966 football World Cup Winners, the 2003 rugby World Cup winners, real ale, the Spitfire, the Few, custard, roast beef and yorkshire pudding and the great British fry up.

Jerry

Jerry,

  I want to say again that I never intended to offend anyone, but I would be the first to say "yes" Football, Basketball, and Baseball players are grossly overpaid . I just posted this article to spark debate, and civil discussion and to give my opinion. Again I don't pretent to know all the Royal family does, what commerce they bring to the economy, I'm sure it's substanial. I still however do not get that she is paid an obcene amount of money, I'm sure the leaders of industry have a hand in the commerce that comes out of and into the country, as well as the Prime Minster and his staff. I'm not a Brit of course and I'm sure if I was then possibly I'd have a different opinion, and I would possibly be more educated on this subject, but then maybe not. I don't get it, I never will. I think it's outdated and unncessary in this day and age, but then again I'm just an old Southern boy and I don't mean to offend anyone. Anyway my Wife says I need to leave this subject alone so I guess that tells you who rules this house. My apologies to anyone offended.

Cam

Well said Jerry.  Jerry's right with regard to the income generated by the monarchy in tourism.  Of the £76 bn spent by visitors to these shores in 2004 £44.4 bn was spent in London mainly by Japanese and US tourists keen to see the sights including Buckingham Palace.  It's difficult to move around London in summer without bumping into some Japanese students waving cameras or a blue rinsed US wrinkly complaining to her husband, "Jeez Hiram why cain't we have tea with the Queen?"  She can't understand that is a special privilege reserves for important visitors like the Simpsons.
And Zurf politicians are a special breed it's a shame many of them are two faced. lying, self serving thieves and that applies wherever you go in the world.

Ian

I was going to leave this one alone.....  But does anyone know how much it costs the American Taxpayers to fund the Secret Service Details that watch over our living "Past Presidents"?   How about the "retirement stipends" for all the politicians that no longer hold office?  Or the medical expenses they incur as part of the "Public Employees" benefits package?  Who foots the bill for scraping the Pidgeon Poop off of all the Monuments and Buildings in D.C.?

Seems we all have our little crosses to bear.....