To ask somebody to explain to me exactly what purpose the monarchy serve?

[Memoo]

I just don?t get what purpose the monarchy serves in this day and age. Apart from attending charity events, openings etc what do they actually contribute to our country?

Surely any revenue created by tourism etc is cancelled out when you take into consideration the vast amount of money that maintaining a the royal family costs the tax payer?

Basically, what do they actually do?

I simply cannot understand how those in England in particular can be so dismissive of the Queen! I fear that when she is gone people will suddenly realise how devoted she was.Why is everyone so down on her? People from other countries seem to see it.

I have nothing against the Queen herself, it's the system I object to.

edam I was at an "opening" thingy once when a v minor royal was standing in for P Margaret Rose (not dead yet but too scalded to turn up). My colleague (usually life and sole, v funny, v subversive) ended up hiding behind me (not subversively but frightened!!) and I ended up... stuttering!!!

What is it with the monarchy?

PS Do I get my medal now, your Maj, or a bit later??

Well, perhaps those keen types from elsewhere would like to pay for her? Or pay higher taxes so she can swan about? But wait... Isn't that what caused the American Revolution.. And, come to think of it, the French revolution?
That said, I have nothing against her personally, only against the institution she embodies.

Hi. I note in the Mail today that Osborne has thought better of the Crown Lands deal about which I posted crossly earlier in this and other threads, and the plan is now to cap the revenue. I hate the institution, but fair's fair; having reported the event, thought I must report the change.

I would rather be paying the "Royals" 66p a year than god know's how much into the pockets of that sausage faced Cameron.

The Royal family are a brilliant tradition, the ONLY one that as a welshman makes me proud to be British.

And just like my Welsh LongBowman Ancestors who helped Henry V in Agincourt, i'd take up arms to Defend Queenie and Phil the Greek!

I think the royal family are fantastic value, and the problem is that the value of what they bring to the UK is difficult to measure. Have a look here

State visits help to build goodwill between the UK and other nations whilst keeping politics on the back burner. They also lend their support to charities and really help to raise their profile. How do we put a value on these things?

I don't see famous cities of republics, such as New York and Paris, struggling to drag in the tourists...

...and think the least the royals can do for their money is look like blardy royalty, rather than sloaney rugby fans - they should always have to wear crowns, ermine and ride in ornate carriages - THAT would probably boost tourist numbers.

Why do we have to follow other countries that have axed their Royal Families like sheep?

There will always be an element of society that wants rid of them, but I am yet to see a genuinely good reason for doing so.

My family have had a lot of involvement with them over the years and from what I have seen they put a helluva lot more back into the country than they get out of it.

We don't...I am just pointing out that when the best thing you can say about keeping the roayl family is 'they are good for tourism', I think perhaps it's time to accept they are irrelevant and offensive nowadays.

Simply the fact that they are there only by birth is offensive. No further reason is required IMO...what messages are we sending to our children about society and democracy?

They can still do good works without being 'royalty' - look at Bill Gates and other wealthy types who do a lot of good work for charidee...

I like them. They're harmless enough apart from when they're bumping folk off for being liabilities (not Diana).

I reckon King Will and Queen Kate will ring in an era of cool monarchy. Imagine Pete Docherty or whoever is fashionable now playing at the palace garden parties and Kate wearing a wedding frock by Vivienne Westwood.