To think the royal family are a bloody embarrassment

[MariaAngustias]

Just that - why are we paying for this bunch when we could be spending the money on essential services? Let the Queen continue then after her just get rid of the whole bloody lot of them. We have and alleged paedo, a whinging multi millionaire in his 30's moaning constantly, an allegedly corrupt heir to the throne meeting dodgy russians for money....... just go, enough. Seriously - this is all Jeremy Kyle for poshos.

@Jaysmith71

What I call it is neither here nor there. No criminal complaint of rape has been filed in any jurisdiction.

In the case of the UK, these events took place in 2001 before the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Under the old 1967 law, Roberts (as she then was) would be regarded as a common prostitute with no prospect of any conviction against Andrew for anything.

It is and was illegal to buy sex from a person under 18 in the UK.

I'm sorry and not a little gobsmacked that people are misinterpreting my comments.

The law is what it is, and in 2001 the law was what it was. What I think of the law is of no importance.

The 67 Law that applied in 2001 had all sorts of assumptions written into it that were long past their time well before 2003 when it was repealed. To state that this is a fact is not to approve of it.

Just to be clear, the allegation against Andrew is that he had sex with a 17-year-old woman on more than one occasion. The age of consent is 16 in the alleged locations of the encounters. Talk of underage sex comes about because the age of consent is 18 in some US states but, on the reports I've seen, none of the alleged encounters took place in those states. Even if they had, it wouldn't make Andrew a paedophile. That term refers to adults who are attracted mainly or exclusively to children under the age of 13. No such allegation has been made against Andrew so calling him an "alleged paedo" is completely wrong.

Andrew, of course, no longer receives any public funding. Nor does Harry.

Describing Prince Michael of Kent as an "heir to the throne" is a bit extreme. He is not publicly funded and is currently 51st in the line of succession. The keyboard player in Steve Harley's band, Cockney Rebel, isn't far behind him in the line of succession.

Some on this thread seem to believe there are criminal allegations/charges against PA. There are not (at present). The allegations are in civil law. If found proven, penalty can only be financial (and obv reputational as a byproduct), not a criminal conviction.

This could of course change, as some have pointed out, there are allegations of acts which could potentially attract criminal charges. That hasn't happened yet though.

When you think of our government, getting millions of tax payers money for family members and girlfriends, having several different children from different women while being unfaithful and getting 'sponsors' to pay for their decor girlfriend, having affairs with advisors on government property, putting their business abroad to avoid UK tax. And people actually still vote them in.

I don't know why you're having a go at the Royal Family when they actually bring money in with tourism and actually make people happy with visits and patronage.

The extended family of hangers on are different. And Harry doesn't even get public money any more.

@99victoria fair point

I think the Queen is the personification of dignity and duty. I admire her immensely.

How hard can it be when you're raking in millions, with all your children, grandchildren and all your entire family financially protected for life. But apart from that, her handling of the Andrew situation should never be called dignified.

The allegations are in civil law because Prince Andrew would not talk to criminal investigators and it seems he could not be compelled to speak to them.

I don't know why you're having a go at the Royal Family when they actually bring money in with tourism.

No they aren't, please stop falling for this myth. Visits to any of the royal homes are far down on most visited places. Do you really believe people are coming to these shores just because of this family?

The royal family is an absolute embarrassment. The queen has protected and enabled Andrew’s appalling behaviour for the whole of his privileged life. This is the man that smashed through the gates of Windsor castle in his Range Rover because security told him he had to drive the long way round. It’s well known that his security detail nicknamed him c**t as he is so awful to work for. And his car crash interview with Emily Maitlis told you everything you need to know about him. I’d love to see him prosecuted for what he did to Virginia and the other girls who were being abused by him and his buddy Epstein.

It is and was illegal to buy sex from a person under 18 in the UK.

Not before 2003. The law at that time incorporated the concept of the 'child prostitute.' Soliciting and kerb-crawling (importuning) were illegal, but paying for sex was and is not a crime.

I’d love to see him prosecuted for what he did to Virginia and the other girls who were being abused by him and his buddy Epstein

Many, many of us would. I doubt we’ll ever see it though unless he’s part of an irresistible plea bargain for Ghislaine Maxwell.

@santaslittlehohoho

Well the money comes from the crown estate doesn't it? Wasn't it something crazy like nearly 400 million a year the crown estate makes, then the royal family gets a portion for expenses (staff, travel, maintenance of property) then 80% odd is surrendered to the government? Plus the money from things like palace gift shops / crown estate fees (from visitors) they actually generate way more than they cost, contributing billions to the economy through tourists etc

Exactly. Around £270million last year but this figure was much higher consistently for many years previously. The vast majority goes straight into Treasury coffers to benefit the public.

Andrew and Harry are idiots I would happily see stripped of their titles. And there are plenty more that could/should be shed in a slimmed down Royal Family.

But HM the Queen is an exceptional head of state and I think Charles was let down by flunkies in the recent conversations. He comes across as authentically, caring, intelligent and dignified, which are great qualities for a monarch, The Princes Trust has done tons of great work for people who come from the more difficult backgrounds.

It's rather disgusting how a young woman (btw 17 is still a child here) who was sex trafficked by known associates of that scumbag Andrew is being discussed by some people on this thread. Does anyone really think that a vulnerable girl of 17 (a fucking child for fucks sake) had any power at all in that situation? Have people not read or heard anything about what Epstein did? What Maxwell is accused of doing? These were friends of Andrew. For that friendship alone, he's a scumbag. For having sex with a technically-consenting-but-still-a-CHILD young person he needs to pay.

But HM the Queen is an exceptional head of state and I think Charles was let down by flunkies in the recent conversations. He comes across as authentically, caring, intelligent and dignified, which are great qualities for a monarch, The Princes Trust has done tons of great work for people who come from the more difficult backgrounds.

Charles Windsor is a wacko.
www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/jun/25/prince-charles-criticised-continuing-promote-homeopathy

It’s always going to be someone rich though. It’s an important job representing the country.
I don’t mind if Chantelle is voted in to do it but she’s still going to end up being wealthy and privileged.

I ‘d rather have a figurehead head whose only job is represent the country/state/nations and promote them. The royals are literally part of he history of country so one assumes they actually care a bit. If they do a shit job it’s over - Harry and Andrew take notice.

Prime minister’s are in it for their own careers rather than altruistic reasons. I’d rather pay tax to the Queen for the upkeep of Windsor Castle than paying for MP’s lunch expenses.

They’ll bring in more money via tourism than they receive, so they’ll more than pay they’d own way

I feel sorry for the Queen. She's dealing with so much and doesn't even have Philip for support now.
I don't mind the Royal family but don't like all the hangers on. I think it's good Charles wants to slim down the monarchy but I agree they don't bring much to the country
I find William and Catherine annoying with them saying constantly that they want to give their children a normal childhood. Yeah right because we all have 2 homes with a nanny and acres of space to play in.

Not before 2003. The law at that time incorporated the concept of the 'child prostitute.'

That's truly horrifying. I can't believe that law was introduced only in 18 years ago.

I think if the numbers included in the RF were reduced substantially, if their myriad houses/lands for their personal use were trimmed down etc, that many people would respect the institution a lot more.

Anyways, I have always wondered why some of them with enormous privilege and wealth/connections need to grab more by questionable financial dealings? It is grabby and greedy or what?

It doesn’t sound like she was a trafficked child forced to have sex with him.

What do you think trafficking sounds like?

I find William and Catherine annoying with them saying constantly that they want to give their children a normal childhood. Yeah right because we all have 2 homes with a nanny and acres of space to play in

What can they do? Move to a three bed semi, send the kids to a local state school and get a childminder to do wrap around care whilst they attend official engagements?! I think they seem to be doing the best they can to give them a normal life within the confines of the institution.

@gardeninggirl68

You sound a bit whiny yourself op!

And bitter

Surely not “bitter”, the favourite Mumsnet put-down! Lol

The exiles are in a league of their own. Why have they not gone away yet? For how long do we have to wait?🙄