…to suggest that it’s time the Royal family stands on its own feet and stops taking money from the public purse?

If they all disappeared tmw how would my life change? And yes I would still be aware that mental health is important, climate change is a thing & that the early years are important for dc. Imagine that!

What this whole sordid story shows is how feudal our system still with, even with a constitutional monarchy. The RF don’t pay income tax, inheritance tax, have their lives nevertheless funded by the taxpayer and then you get someone like Andrew and Ferguson who thoroughly abuse those privileges. Going to shake hands in Fashion Week is hardly public service. The light has been shone and the magic has gone (to lift it from the original).

I think we should get to decide whether we want a monarchy at all and if it is voted on that we do want it, then how it can be controlled. The bowing and scraping has to stop.

How can you say that with such certainty?

With regards to Wills and Kate, they come across as a stable family who take public service seriously, without constantly chasing headlines or drama. In a time when celebrity culture and online division dominate so much of public life, their steady, low-key presence stands out

Low key is the word

Even people who aren’t fans of the monarchy can see that they’re using their platform to highlight things like environmental innovation and mental health, issues most people agree are worth supporting

😆

I prefer them to any celebrity influencer who only want fame for their own ego and money

They aren’t doing the charity work because they are being nice.

A lot of NHS managers?

Running the country...that's the best laugh I've had in a long time 🤣🤣🤣

Respect is earned. Have they earned our respect? If so, how and why?

But, to their credit, most younger people (and a fair few over fifties like me!) completely disagree with you (see ‘Social Attitudes Survey’).

Revolutions can happen very quickly. Let’s hope preparations are being made because Andrew, as further grimy details come to light, may, just may, be a catalyst.

How would the monarchy fall apart/dissolve/be paid off?

No. Why? What do you think all the state functions are for? They roll out the royal family to schmooze world leaders to give the Uk deals and more favourable terms . You might not like it but it is useful for the Uk government to do this

Think what that adds up to and what else that could fund.

Especially if they also had to pay proper taxes on their income.

I'm simply saying that they pay for their own lifestyles..you know like most people. And they are not running the country..they represent the country.

With regards to Wills and Kate, they come across as a stable family who take public service seriously, without constantly chasing headlines or drama. In a time when celebrity culture and online division dominate so much of public life, their steady, low-key presence stands out. Even people who aren’t fans of the monarchy can see that they’re using their platform to highlight things like environmental innovation and mental health, issues most people agree are worth supporting. I prefer them to any celebrity influencer who only want fame for their own ego and money.

They are running the country. They are working.

They are certainly not running the country!

They are “working” in a sense only. I doubt anyone would notice if they stopped doing the “jobs” they do. With the possible exception of Anne.

The royal family costs £1.29 per person per year. Is that really that bad?

Who else is going to pay them? They are running the country. They are working

Has someone given Andrew back his phone?!

Who else is going to pay them? They are running the country. They are working. Would you rather a prime minister who also was a teacher or accountant on the side? Your way of thinking suggests that people should work for free when they have a certain amount in their bank account.

More satire? 😆

Other RF are a hell of a lot more modest and transparent around the money they take from the state, and their money generally. Ours need to completely open up their wills and accounts as a minimum starting point.

If we have to have them, then let them pay for themselves.

@TheGrimSmile

I read this a couple days ago which gets into the “they are a tourist attraction” a few scrolls in. The whole write up is a great read.

https://open.substack.com/pub/alternativeroyalreporter/p/hollow-royal-words-and-hollow-royalist?r=293y6x&utmmedium=ios

Absolutely.

It is ridiculous that people who, through an accident of birth, have more than the vast majority of people will ever see or even dream of, should be taking even one penny from the poorest of us. Or any of us

Anyone who feels they are worth subsidising should feel free to set up a standing order to them and let the rest of us hang onto the little we have.

I'm sure the huge tax breaks they benefit from should cover any work they do

Soft diplomacy. We are lucky to have them tbh. Other royal family’s do the same not just ours. That itself pays for them.

The Government expect them to take part, host events etc. Not sure they should do that for free