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Original poster

Royals Uncovered

35 replies

LuciaSpain · 23/02/2019 14:25

Before I start, this isn't a Meghan Markle thread. I've no interest in getting into a debate about her, it ends up a mess. This is more the royals in general.

I'm posting as I'm wondering if recent events in NYC hasn't just highlighted exactly what all the royals do? They go to great pains to spin everything in a positive light so the public will swallow it but was this past week just the Royals normal behaviour without the PR window dressing?

Edward went on a skiing trip on a private jet, I'm sure William and family did also.

Given Brexit and the uncertain times we live in, is this excess going to be tolerated? I think everything will be picked apart now.

I know they have piles of money but none of us want it shoved in front of us HM manages to give off the perception that she watches her pennies, she gets away with it too given her service. The next in line and so on will really have to thread a fine line with their extravagances, they don't have the same goodwill. They need to trim it right back to the direct line. It doesn't seem like Charles is trying to slim anything down despite what he has said.

OP posts:

Justheretogiveaviewfrommyworld · 23/02/2019 14:45

I agree with you, but many on here won't.

ThunderStorms · 23/02/2019 14:50

Of course it just highlights the farcical inequality of it all.

They pretend to to frugal so we think better of them - but it’s a smoke screen.

They pretend that they are oh so perfect - not a hair out of place.

Yet people swallow it, even though both are not realistic.

They pretend to be so kind, yet forget that other would do the same if they had the means.

They play at 'work'.

But people will be so quick to excuse it or brush it off.

ThunderStorms · 23/02/2019 14:51

It winds me up so much that I’m barely coherent.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

The royal family

HairyToity · 23/02/2019 14:52

I'm a republican, but shamefully I enjoy Royal gossip. I would find a trimmed down royal family much more palatable. I really don't see why the queen's cousins, along with Anne, Andrew, Edward and Harry are all on the payroll.

why100000 · 23/02/2019 14:54

I agree - some doff their cap because that is how society is set up here - along class lines.

A society which allows people to sleep rough while others have vastly excessive amounts is not good for anyone - either the haves or the have nots.

Settlersofcatan · 23/02/2019 14:54

I don't know ... there are a lot of hard core royalists. Particularly hilarious are the "oh but she's a mum of 3, she was probably up half the night" type comments about someone who has never worked, has nannies, cooks and other staff...

ThunderStorms · 23/02/2019 14:56

Oh yes and 'the flowers went to charity' as if that makes it all ok. I mean flowers do so much more to help cancer sufferers and their families than money for drugs and support etc.

It’s fine that she donated them, but let’s not pretend it makes it all fair and all right again.

ajandjjmum · 23/02/2019 14:58

The Queen's cousins, along with Anne, Andrew, Edward and Harry are not on the payroll.

Impicciona · 23/02/2019 14:59

I read that Meghan's friends paid for a lot of it and she flew on Amal and George's private plane.

Also read that Edward and family are guests of a Swiss businessman.

So theoretically they might not have spent that much!

mummmy2017 · 23/02/2019 15:00

Their money, why can't they spend it.
Charles has created thousands more jobs, there is a whole town he helped by organising the purchase of the house nearby, he trained people in trades, and he has done loads more.
The queen's money comes from her property's and we gain several hundred million from the excess, Parliament and lots of govenment premises pay no rent.
The Dutchie of Cornwall pays for William and Harry as their dad, why shouldn't he.
They maintain the coastlines if the UK, not the councils, place that make no profit.
Woodlands are covered as well.
Let alone the profit business take in from royal events and tourism....
As far as I heard George Clunie and his wife paid for the jet ...
Anyone who recons they would enjoy money if they had it, is not being truthful.

AmyFl · 23/02/2019 15:02

I hate how they act like being a royal is all hard work, duty, woe is me. They live an easy life, but have to make it sound difficult so the public accept them.

Sanguineclamp · 23/02/2019 15:32

I agree with you op. I'm ambivalent about the monarchy (and my DH is a rampant republican). I enjoy the historical continuity but detest the way they give one another awards and find it hard to swallow when they appear at military events covered in medals the majority of which they haven't earned.

The monarchy also supports a class system that is increasingly anachronistic in this day and age. Why should one person curtsey to another in 2019 for reasons of birth?

They also pay their staff terribly badly!

But as you say op, the nub of the matter is that not only is the spending involved in supporting the "hangers on" far too high, but it is also for the main players. For example, I only (naeively) recently discovered that the Prince of Wales has separate residences in Scotland and Wales. Is this really necessary?

I know there have been hints at slimming everything down once the Queen is gone, but that could be in a decade's time. As with everything associated with the royals, change has to be dragged out of them, too little, too late. In this instance, I think they need to take proactive measures.

Tippexy · 23/02/2019 15:35

The thing is that Meghan courts the publicity, doesn’t follow the ‘discreet’ rule, tips the paps off in advance, accepts extravagant gifts that royals aren’t supposed to.

ivykaty44 · 23/02/2019 15:37

I don’t think the royals will be picked over with Brexit looming, the blue passports and royal crests are what the majority voted for...

Original poster

LuciaSpain · 23/02/2019 15:42

Yes I agree with you ivykaty44. I just wonder will the reality of Brexit make people think again.

OP posts:

BerensteinBear · 23/02/2019 15:46

Agree op.
DH and I are both republicans (although I love seeing the dresses and jewels!)
It's pantomime in the 21st century to have people bowing and curtseying to the royals.
They live high on the hog whilst people in their kingdom are homeless and using food banks.

I find it incredibly annoying when they visit homeless charities when the queen is one of the largest landowners and one of the wealthiest women in the country, if not the world.

They have very clever advisors who have blurred the lines between what they own privately and what they 'hold in trust for the nation.' Therefore its almost impossible to get any accurate figures on their finances, plus they are exempt from the FOI act.

I read today that the queen is appealing against her business rates assessment for Balmoral. Apparently its @£16500 pa.

Maybe we could start a whip round for her?

Sorry rant over!

Sanguineclamp · 23/02/2019 15:48

That's probably also true Ivykaty44!

Thinking about it, I think we need more clarity and transparency.

Take Prince Edward for example. To be fair, he can't help having been born a royal. And being a royal makes it hard to work I suppose (although I think it would be possible to have a quiet life as a land agent or a country solicitor somewhere if determined enough). But the press is reporting his skiing trip is private and he and his family are guests of a rich friend. Fair enough. But say he did spend "private income" to go, considering he hadn't earned money himself, where does this "private" money come from in the first place?

Sanguineclamp · 23/02/2019 15:49

x posts BerensteinBear!

Original poster

LuciaSpain · 23/02/2019 15:49

Someone quoted Violet from Downton on another thread, something along the lines that "the truth is irrelevant, it's the how it's perceived that matters". Yes the royals can spend all their money in the most extravagant ways possible but it brings scrutiny on themselves. Gone are the days of bowing and scraping, people have families to feed.

I can't imagine being a Honda employee this week and watching the extravagance going on.

HM's children other than Charles may not be on the payroll but they are getting money from somewhere, most likely the Queen who in turn gets her money from the taxpayer etc. The fact is there are so many smokes and mirrors, lack of FOI on the royals that none of us truly know their cost, their benefit etc.

OP posts:

ivykaty44 · 23/02/2019 15:52

just wonder will the reality of Brexit make people think again.

I doubt it, EU will be blamed for the woes of the country

What is interesting is the style hats 🧢 that have been worn at particular times

BerensteinBear · 23/02/2019 15:54

sanguine

daisychain01 · 23/02/2019 16:07

I hate how they act like being a royal is all hard work, duty, woe is me

No they don't. They walk round with smiles on their faces esp the younger royals. Charles looks a bit miserable but the rest are quite a cheerful bunch.

mummmy2017 · 23/02/2019 16:34

Did you read the lady in here who had someone turning up after work taking pictures, and putting them on the net,
She was not a happy bunny, called the police the lot ...
Now imagine your every waking hour is watched, your friends and family offered money too tell all.
Books being written about you, never being able to put a foot wrong... That

anniehm · 23/02/2019 17:05

They are damned if they do, damned if they don't! If they aren't perfectly groomed and rewear clothes it's reported in the press, for security they can't take public transport easily. The kids are living in a goldfish bowl of publicity. When they do normal things they are accused of playing at being normal ... and columns like this don't help.

Meghan is independently wealthy and has mega wealthy friends, let her redistribute it back into the economy!!!

ajandjjmum · 23/02/2019 17:33

The Queen and Charles pay tax.

Hate the Royals all you like, but please get the facts straight.

They obviously have the the benefit of inherited wealth/estates/assets, as do many (if not me!) .

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