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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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To not want to pay for another scrounger?

500 replies

weatherall · 08/09/2014 10:38

Poor Kate's with child again.

When will these scroungers stop pumping out sprogs they expect all the rest of us to pay for?

OP posts:
Nishky · 08/09/2014 18:35

It was on tv Dapple!

ajandjjmum · 08/09/2014 18:39

She apparently believes in keeping promises motherinferior.

I think you're right sovery - she could spend her time enjoying her family, horses and her houses, without having to think about work commitments - which to be fair, seems pretty harsh at 88. But without doubt, she sees it as her duty.

Dapplegrey · 08/09/2014 18:41

I stand corrected.

TheBloodManCometh · 08/09/2014 18:43

what are you prepared to do for the money?
For £16 million I bet you could pay most people to do almost anything.

People always drag out the old "poor Royal Family, all the media attention" etc etc but they don't have to be in the public eye. They could choose to walk away from it.
But they don't.
I imagine because of the money!

helenthemadex · 08/09/2014 18:45

interesting to see peoples views on this subject, I'm very much in favour of the Royal family, in my opinion they bring more in revenue to the uk than they take from it. Having said that they could do with pruning a bit so there are less hangers on.

I read an article somewhere about the cost of President Hollande of France I know it said that he was more expensive than the Royal Family and quite considerably more expensive about 90 million iirc, that may be why he is the most unpopular President ever.

ArabellaTarantella · 08/09/2014 18:46

They could choose to walk away from it. But they don't. I imagine because of the money!

What a load of effing crap ^^ TheBlood !!

I seem to remember the Duke of Windsor walking away from being King.......and living the rest of his life in absolute and utter luxury in France!

Boomeranggirl · 08/09/2014 18:49

I'm not a royalist, I think it's an out dated and hypocritical institution. I think being proud that our country's ruling system is based on tourism revenue is very shallow and depressing. Before anyone shouts that they don't 'rule' anymore I take the point but they are in position of authority. I think Hilary Mantel had a good appraisal of Kate but she clearly got shouted down and attacked in the media for expressing an opposing opinion. Kate has done nothing in her life other than fall in love with William. She has had no career, never stood on her own two feet or demonstrated any willingness to do so. Even when she was going out with William she didn't have a job outside of the family business, as feminists doesn't this bother anyone? I have respect for the Queen who trained as a mechanic during the Second World War and who could reportedly fix a lorry engine! I have respect for Diana who worked as a nursery assistant. I do not have respect for Kate who despite all her advantages (private schooling education, university education) has done nothing productive with her life. She is not a good role model for 21st century women. Whilst people will say why should she be a role model, surely that's what monarchy is all about? If not, then Why else are they in a position of leadership? I was hoping she and William would strike out and do something radical to re energise the monarchy but it seems to all be a carefully crafted series of Hello magazine opportunities.

That said I wish any mother a safe and healthy pregnancy and hope that she recovers from this second bout of illness soon.

emotionsecho · 08/09/2014 18:50

TheBloodMan The Queen made a vow 'for the whole of her life', from all accounts she takes that vow extremely seriously.

ArabellaTarantella · 08/09/2014 18:55

has done nothing productive with her life

Her role in this family is to produce at least 2 children. This she is doing.

I think she may well surprise all you feminists once she has fulfilled her baby-making duties.

And how many of you would like to know what's in your diary at least 4 years ahead? I certainly wouldn't.

TheBloodManCometh · 08/09/2014 18:55

The Queen made a vow
She didn't have to make that vow though, did she?

TheBloodManCometh · 08/09/2014 18:58

ArabellaTarantella I didn't say that walking away from it would make them poor Hmm I'm afraid I don't really understand your point.

I'm saying that it is ridiculous to lavish money and attention on people for their birth status.

To which many people say "oh but they earn it because its such a horrible job to be so scrutinised"

My argument is that it can't be that bad - or they wouldn't choose to do it!

Dapplegrey · 08/09/2014 19:01

Theblood - you did say that you imagine they do it because of the money.

emotionsecho · 08/09/2014 19:10

TheBloodMan, yes I believe she did.

Re the 16million for people to do anything - can you guarantee that if you send someone on a visit to a foreign country or invite them to the UK they will sign trade deals and agree to investment in the UK worth billions? Whether it sits well with you or not the Government are well aware of the pulling power of the Royal Family which is why they use them at every available opportunity.

Charities are also well aware of the cachet of having a member of the Royal Family on board which is why they fall over themselves to have them involved.

I don't believe a President would cost any less, in fact I think it would be considerably more, and if we got rid of the Royal Family, and presumably all the other Dukes, Duchesses, etc., who will decide how all their possessions are doled out? Do you really believe it will be done fairly and equitably and that every member of the populace will benefit?

The French Presidency is hardly a beacon of selfless service, riven as it has been with allegations of corruption and an inability to prosecute due to the person being President and therefore being above the law.

Maisyblue · 08/09/2014 19:11

actually, the good man charles isn't obligated to pay tax on the duchy, but he does so voluntarily. ......and therein lies one of the reasons why everything about having a royal family is wrong......to have the luxury of deciding whether to pay tax on your huge unearned income. It's a good job we don't all have that option isn't it. Apart from that he does not have to pay corporation or capital gains tax.

TheBloodManCometh · 08/09/2014 19:14

I thought Charles paid income tax but the Duchy didn't pay corporation tax?

ajandjjmum · 08/09/2014 19:15

Boomerangirl
Kate did work for Jigsaw as an accessories buyer before her marriage, as well as her work in the family firm.

thomasinathetankengine · 08/09/2014 19:15

They can't walk away from it. Sure, they can officially reject the titles etc but no one can seriously be suggesting that William or Harry could just start living a normal life if they chose. Those who are never going to stand a chance of being the monarch are more able to do so but then they're less in the public eye anyway.

As for Kate never having had a proper job 'other than the family business', are we assuming everyone who works in a family business does nothing? How about all the other SAHM who've never had a career, are they worthy of scorn too?

I'd agree that Kate's work choices left her wide open to criticism and better choices could have been made but why is there so much venom? I'm neither a monarchist nor particularly fussed about a republic, I just can't get that worked up about the royals one way or the other. The blind adoration is just as bad as the blind hatred, but both attitudes are ridiculous.

ajandjjmum · 08/09/2014 19:16

Only companies pay corporation tax Blood, and the Duchy isn't a company.

ajandjjmum · 08/09/2014 19:17

You're right thomas. The thing that gets me is when people churn out the same old inaccuracies as fact.

specialsubject · 08/09/2014 19:19

haven't read the whole thread, but...

Duke of Windsor was indeed the only one to abdicate (doing us all a big favour BTW if some alternative histories are to be believed). His entire family ostracised him.

I get the feeling Kate has to produce #2 when most who went through what she did with George would say 'no ta, never again'. I hope she feels better soon.

I am also quite impressed with the articulate and likeable men that William and Harry have become, given their dysfunctional idiot parents.

good luck to them all. Hope Kate can keep her dinner down soon.

Missunreasonable · 08/09/2014 19:23

She is not a good role model for 21st century women

Why not? Some womens ambition is to be a wife and mother. A woman should be able to make that choice without feeling as though it is wrong. Raising children is an important role.

DaddyBeer · 08/09/2014 19:26

God, this thread is depressing.

I reckon if anyone who thinks being part of the royal family is such a breeze, but actually had the chance to try it (trappings and all) they'd last maybe two months, three tops.

And IMO that's really the clincher. Who, nowadays, could really choose it and stick?

As Elvis said, don't judge that person till you've walked a mile in their shoes.

Long live the King Wink

Maisyblue · 08/09/2014 19:39

daddyBeer...... No ones forcing them to do it, it seems like they want to.....wonder why.

Bearbehind · 08/09/2014 19:52

When will these scroungers stop pumping out sprogs they expect all the rest of us to pay for?

When every single person in this country is self sufficient and doesn't rely on the tax payer to support them in the form of benefits before the choose to reproduce, then your views will be more credible

Until then you might want to weigh up what the monarchy generate in tourism compared to what they cost.

What a truly hateful thread.

hoobypickypicky · 08/09/2014 19:58

Bear, as you must surely know, the majority of people "relying on the tax payer to support them in the form of benefits" are not exactly living in palaces without ever needing to do their own washing up.

There's aa bit of a difference between the average single mum on Income Support, family on WTC or unemployed individual and William Wales and his wife.

weatherall, YANBU at all!