To think if Kate & Wills want to live at Middleton Manor...

[PeriodMath]

They should foot the £6000 a day bill for security and the £900 an hour helicopter circling overhead?

Shouldn't they be staying in a royal palace - isn't that the point of them? Big safe estates away from prying eyes?

[Twirlyhot]

They'd have protection anywhere they went and I'd imagine the house is already wired to the rafters because they have stayed there before and will again. Yes, I suppose it will cost extra in security, but so does David Cameron going on holiday outside the UK as opposed to eg Cornwall. If we are really worried about costs we should have all the royals living in one place.

[MissMarplesBloomers]

OP they HAVEN'T got a "palace secured fo them" their apartment is full of bloody asbestos!

Given that the new Middleton pile is pretty shielded from the road on the village I can't see why it would be any more of a nightmare than when they go & stay anywhere.

[McNewPants2013]

I think it is wonderful she has gone to her parents for help and support.

She could have went to the royal residence, but perhaps she wanted to be at home without worrying about how she looks, what she says.

It may only be me but the first few weeks was the most worrying and nervous time.

[squoosh]

Their apartment has 21 rooms, I pictured somewhere a bit smaller and cosier. Silly me.

[diddl]

Even if their place was ready-can you comfortably slob around & bf with staff about?

[grovel]

It appears that 80% of us want a monarchy. If so, we've got to pay for it. And not make it too awful for the poor buggers who do the job.

[squoosh]

Maybe people who enjoy the monarchy should have special royal taxes deducted from their salaries which will pay for things like this.

The other 20% won't have to pay, one the one hand they'll be denied the odd bank holiday and pleasures such as Nicholas Witchell.

[HollyBerryBush]

Maybe people who enjoy the monarchy should have special royal taxes deducted from their salaries which will pay for things like this.

and perhaps those that dont want to live with the Queen as Head of State could kindly fuck off somewhere else and bleat on about it?

[squoosh]

Oh so it isn't a democracy where people can express a dissenting opinion.

Why do you act in a constantly cuntish manner HollyBerryBush?

[Twirlyhot]

I'd rather opt out of my taxes going to fund Trident/it's replacement if you're offering.

[FairPhyllis]

You can express a dissenting opinion of course, but the rest of us reserve the right to be bored rigid by it.

[squoosh]

Like wise Phyllis, likewise, bored r.i.g.i.d.

[olidusUrsus]

Hassled we don't know how much the monarchy costs us because their finances are exempt from the freedoms of information act. Some estimate £35mil, some £175mil, some more.

Why are lots of pretending Kate has it really rough? That she won't be able to breastfeed her child in peace because she has staff? Kensington isn't like prison y'know...

[ifyourehoppyandyouknowit]

Bloody hell. Threads bashing their names choice, complaints that they waited fourt hours before the announcement, and now this. Every single thing this woman does is reported on and judged by people the world over. And we are seriously about to begrudge her a few weeks with her own family while she gets to grips with being a mum? Is there some sort of filter on some keyboards that removes all a person's compassion and empathy?

The royal family cost money. But they also bring in money and generate their own income through businesses, property and land.

[littlemisswise]

What a shame they don't offer to pay for all the other wives of the Armed Forces Personell to go back and stay with their mum's when they give birth, when their DH's paternity leave is over!

If she lived in married quarters she wouldn't need extra security, providing they were 'behind the wire'. We have guards on the gate!

[frogsareace]

the duchey estate pays for all william, harry and charles security - ie. not the tax payer but the commercial earnings.

[flippinada]

That's the second time a irate royalist has suggested people who don't like the royal family should live elsewhere.

Can I make a polite suggestion of my own? Perhaps people who love royalty but really hate the fact people are allowed to have different opinions could go and live in Saudi Arabia?

Win win all round, I feel.

[flippinada]

An irate royalist.

[deepfriedsage]

Good for them going to Middleton Manor. I have no problem as long as they foot the extra bill themselves.

Middleton Minor was paid for via Diana's bequest to William, he inherited last year.

[DontmindifIdo]

OP - Can I ask if you think this should only apply to Royals, or to all British citizens who need police protection? Should the level of the security you have and the freedom you have once you have been identified as a terrorist target be limited by your income? What about someone like Salman Rushdie, should he be expected to fund his own security costs? He could have been offered housing in a property of the police's chosing, then after that- if he ever wanted toleave the house or go home, or anything else like that, he'd have to pay for it himself. what about senior politicians? (at least being a politician is their personal choice)

[deepfriedsage]

I am happy for KP to be kept for future generations. The Cambridges are paying for non building work.

[Viviennemary]

That Duchy estate whose'owner' pays less tax than his employees. Hmmm.

[deepfriedsage]

Rushtie knew what he was getting into, and earned a lotout of his life choice.

[sue52]

Quite so Viviennemary*. I'm boycotting Starbucks and I'd like to do the same with the Royals except I appear to have no choice.

[Thatballwasin]

Yep, I most certainly do.