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

Because the whole concept of the monarchy is outdated and perpetuates social division. Because the arguments for their retention are flimsy at best, spurious at worst. Because they are anti democratic. And because they cost money. Significantly more money than the oft touted 57p per person.

Oh, and because if it's such a challenging, relentless, hard working life they lead, we should be duty bound to relieve them of the burden they carry. What right have we got to insist they struggle on?

What do we pay more for - the premier league or the royal family? Which has more entertainment value? You pays your money you takes your choice and in this day and age we do have a choice. People like weddings, christenings, gossip, ceremony and a bit of dressing up.

Although I suppose I don't actually pay anything towards the premier league.

Maybe the royal family could be a subscription service?

It's a bit like the arguments for and against the licence fee.

I don't see the Monarchy being abolished any time soon, William and Harry appear popular and well regarded, the press don't seem to carry too many disparaging stories about them, they'll be here long after I've popped my clogs.

Do you see an uprising and discontent among the public Hakluyt

I don't have a choice about paying for the royal family!

The referendum was drafted by a pro-royals government. Undoubtedly under a Labor govt, it would have read very differently.

That is where my new subscription scheme comes in! The basic level Royal Family is free, but then you get extras if you pay more. (e.g. at a royal event the free service would mean you might get to see the back of a minor royal's head and you would have to put up with a bit of advertising, premium service would mean that the Queen would wave in your direction).

You do realise that we don't pay all their costs? They are wealthy in their own right. Even if for some reason they decided to "step down", they could live a bloody good life on their own money without any need to open hospitals, kiss babies or put up with the whinging from other people. Always makes me laugh that people think that they'd be living in some two bed council estate if they ditched their ceremonial roles.

I don't have a choice about paying for a lot of things that cost a damned sight more than the royal family.

Funny how inverted snobbery seems to be acceptable on MN. It's still snobbery, and therefore unpleasant judgemental tosh.

"I don't have a choice about paying for a lot of things that cost a damned sight more than the royal family."

Agreed. And on a thread about any of those I'd have plenty to say! But this thread is about the royal family.

And no I'm not snobbish, inverted or otherwise. I'm just a republican. Why is that so hard to grasp?

I thought this thread was about Princes William and Harry not having 'proper jobs?" Which they do.

And no I'm not snobbish, inverted or otherwise. I'm just a republican. Why is that so hard to grasp ?

There's more than just you on this thread.

grin at "future king" being a "proper job"!

I do sort of consider this a proper job and not one that I would want in a million years. Yes, they have a privileged lifestyle, but would any of us want to do what they have to do in return. The constant scrutiny and criticism, as evidenced on here, would be unbearable. I also think that William and Harry are trying as hard as possible to make their lives meaningful and not just about being a Royal.

I don't envy them at all. For the record, I'm not pro monarchy, so have no axe to grind here.

"straw poll how many MNers did 62 public engagements with a baby under 1yo whilst doing a full time job? because he did 62 more than me."

What was the full time job he was doing alongside the 62 public engagements?

Oh, yes, I remember! Being "future king"

Wouldn't he get time off from the "full time job" for official engagements?

I mean he didn't actually have to use up AL or eat into weekends or his own time, did he?

Er, search and rescue helicopter pilot?

"Er, search and rescue helicopter pilot?"

Hadn't he given that up before the baby was born? And anyway, he got time off for a royal duties.

*Er, search and rescue helicopter pilot?

Hadn't he given that up before the baby was born? And anyway, he got time off for a royal duties.

< shrugs shoulders>, I don't follow them closely enough to know to be honest.

Many officers do a short service commission which lasts 8 years. By that token they have both fulfilled their parts of the bargain. And Harry is still going.

If you are going to bash the Royals, fair enough, it's a free country. But I don't think this argument stands up.

We get 160 milli