To think that after all the money spent on their military training that Harry and William should have proper jobs?

[Sixweekstowait]

Just that really - all they ever seem to do is go to sporting events

Favourite home? When Windsor was burning that useless dolt Andrew rounded on reporters claiming it was the Queen's favourite home.

I have the utmost respect for William for choosing to become a search and rescue pilot. He could have done a few 'manuactured' jobs in each branch of the service to fulfill the gaining insight requirement. Instead he chose to do the most dangerous job he could, bearing in mind there was no way he was going to be allowed to serve on the front line.

And I have the utmost respect (and a huge soft spot) for Harry.

I think they're both a credit to the monarchy.

William did 62 official engagements in 2013. Fair enough he was on paternity leave for some of that time but it's really not a huge number.

Paternity leave from what?? ....a job?

I think I get good value for my 57 p each year.

I seem to recall, probably being marginally older than you lot, Andrew doing his bit in battle. I can pontificate on that because I was there.

Andrew, Harry, both 2nd sons, the spare child.

I do also think that the nay sayers, criticising "a job" might like to show their credentials, because tax credits and the ability to produce a magic chicken doesnt cut it with me

"I seem to recall, probably being marginally older than you lot, Andrew doing his bit in battle. I can pontificate on that because I was there."
So on the strength of that he can live in the lap of luxury for the rest of his life. Like all the other ex servicemen? Especially the homeless ones.....

You'd think that with all that posh education they receive, they'd all have decent degrees and be able to do a professional job. None of them seem to be particularly intelligent.

I suppose you could argue that flying a helicopter requires intelligence, but I'm talking about professions such as medicine, science etc. none of them are involved in anything academic.

I don't think they are particularly gifted in the academic direction. No amount of education is going to make you intelligent if you aren't. Fair play to them trying.

Posh education doesn't equal intelligence - and neither does a degree. Harry didn't find education easy - problems like many kids have, but went on to make a huge success of being in the army - the best pilot amongst his group in the States. And very much respected amongst his colleagues.
Credit where it's due!

You do know that MOD workers are allowed to leave their jobs? They get trained, work a while and then leave (or are limited to 22 years mostly and then kicked out even if they are at the top of their game).

I think 6 years is all the commitment they ask for to do extra training, from anyone.

But this is obviously aimed at being an anti-royalist thread rather than a discussion of the military giving any of its workers training that they should then owe the country for. Take their names out of it and you'll find a lot of civilian helicopter pilots have military training. The oiks, how dare they not commit to the initial employer.

It's funny, if there was this sort of character assassination on a 'normal' family people would be angry and telling people not to be so judgemental.

It wasn't their faults they were born into this. Least they're doing something.

They can always stand down morphine . They don't have to do this.

They are a bit vacuous though considering all the opportunities they have.

They'd still be in the limelight regardless of what they did. People just like having something to complain about. If it's not benefit claimants spending their well earned tax, it's the royals, or immigrants. The list goes on. There's always something.

Oh another Royal - bashing thread.

It's their turn is it? Well I suppose it gives overweight people a break for a while.

Just back from mammoth trip to cinema - Boyhood- anyone else seen it? Can thoroughly recommend it. Nice mixed bag of views on this thread - perhaps the biggest load of rubbish though is the tourist argument - complete and utter tosh. Many of the other pro royalist arguments are dubious, factually incorrect and intellectually incoherent - eg praise the queen for paying tax she doesn't have to pay without questioning why she doesn't have to in the first place? She's only recently started paying it. Well recent to me that is, but I've been around a long time.

Tbh they can't do right for doing wrong as far as some people are concerned

Agreed.

Wasnt william involved in some newsworthy rescue a few years back? I think anyone involved in saving/protecting lives has paid back a fair whack really.

In what way is the tourist argument tosh Bourdic? Facts rather than generalisations maybe?

dubious, factually incorrect and intellectually incoherent

Like your opening statements then really Bourdic.

As long as enough people are prepared to pay their taxes for them to do whatever it is that they do they do have proper jobs, even if thats just being Wenlock and Mandeville but with more swishy hair.

They won't step down unless a political party puts republicanism on their manifesto and gets elected. If Australia and the SNP want the royals I don't see that happening any time soon in this country. (Although how much tax do the other countries that have the queen as their head of state pay towards her upkeep?).

Australia doesn't particularly want the royals. The referendum failed mostly because it was unclear how we would choose our head of state. In any case 54.87% to 45.13% is not a huge majority to the royalists. It's pretty generally agreed that if the referendum had been better drafted, it would have passed.

OK - I will rephrase that - if even Australia who have been seriously talking about getting rid of the royals for years didn't have the enthusiasm to sort out an effective referendum/decide what to do without them, I think it's unlikely that there will be the general will in the UK to ditch the royals any time soon.

If Scotland can have a vote on independence, the UK (who back in the day managed to chop off Charles I head, swap James II for somebody else and pick a complete random like George I) could get rid of the royals if it really wanted.

Apparently people find swishy hair and babies entertaining.

Prince Harry was in my home town yesterday to mark the 100 year WWI celebrations. I have never seen the place so busy, everyone turned out to see him. Pretty sure the shopholders and cafe owners would have been pleased he was there, he drew the crowds and they made a mint.

Personally I dont mind paying a bit of tax to support them.

Patrickstar why would or should they stand down?

Would you and for what reason exactly?

What utter shite.