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.

@AdoptedBumpkin

Prince Andrew is an embarrassment to the royals and the country. However, I find most of them less embarrassing than many Cabinet ministers.

The difference is that you can have a say to some extent over who is running the country.

The royal family have always veered between being an embarrassment to entertainment. Like all families they have issues, scandals, not so nice members just it’s all played out in public and that they are very privileged what applies to them is different that will never change as long as we have a royal family. It’s the same world over

I am happy to see them go after the Queen as no one in our life time will live up to her.

But the family will continue as it does now maybe a few less with such privileges to please the public. William and Kate may not be scandalous as Prince Charles but no doubt once William upsets the press their scandal will come out not just hinted at and repeat because this happens in all families

Andrew will absolutely get away with what he has done but if you want a royal family then this is what happens they are not and never will be treated in the same way or have the same rules apply to them as the public

YANBU. Andrew will be their downfall, and the way they have got behind him rather than making him face up to the allegations. It makes the rest of them look shady.

Kate and William looking for another house in Windsor because the Kensington and Norfolk ones aren't convenient enough isn't a good look either.

Yes YABU

They're not in charge of the state.

The various lists of the best-governed, least corrupt and most democratic countries on Earth show that around eight of the top ten are constitutional monarchies.

@Jaysmith71

They're not in charge of the state.

The various lists of the best-governed, least corrupt and most democratic countries on Earth show that around eight of the top ten are constitutional monarchies.

There’s plenty of evidence that they’re interfering in policy making.

I'd really miss them if they went. I think William and Kate onwards will be an improved monarchy. They seem to be raising their children brilliantly...giving them as much of a normal life as possible. I think their morals will be more steadily middle class than upper class thanks to Kate and her families influence.

I totally agree.

To say the institution is outdated is the understatement of the century.

For me the nail in the coffin pardon the pun was Johnson caught publicly lying to her regarding the official business she is meant to stand for.

Once Liz passes that should be it. Open the palaces to tourists for money.

@Autumngoldleaf

If Prince Andrew doesn't present himself to be scrutinised then it will be a mockery of the law

I hate the way the comms come out "his team will fight on a technicality" as though this is what the public wants to save dear old Andrew

He needs to be presented and defend himself peppery

His problem is that the jury of public opinion has already judged him guilty based on no evidence other than one photo and the unsubstantiated word of some woman. No fan of his, I know people who've been involved on a work level and he's an entitled brat but I do feel he can never get a fair hearing.

I completely agree with you Op. The Queen and the Royal Family have chosen to support Andrew in evading these very serious allegations and so have been tainted by association. How do you think the 'royal brand' looks now?

The 'Monarchy benefits tourism' argument is completely hollow. If monarchy were abolished, tourists would still come because the Palaces, etc, would still be there, same as people still visit Versailles - which btw generates huge numbers of tourists as visitors can actually get inside to see it. Not that we should choose our Head of State on the basis of tourism - but abolishing the monarchy could well be a net benefit to tourism anyway.

The Crown Estates are btw not the private property of the monarch, they are in public ownership. If the Royal Family really are personally generating these huge revenues, why are taxpayers required to contribute towards them at all?

I agree completely.
They’ve had their problems in the past, but this seems the worst time: cannot believe that Andrew will hide behind his Mummy and hope it all goes away.
They’ll probably wheel out Kate and Wills more often to placate the masses. Fed up of them!

His problem is that the jury of public opinion has already judged him guilty based on no evidence other than one photo and the unsubstantiated word of some woman. No fan of his, I know people who've been involved on a work level and he's an entitled brat but I do feel he can never get a fair hearing

‘Some woman’? Not a nice way to refer to a victim. There is a great deal of evidence about what he was doing with Epstein. He thinks he’s above the law.

@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

I went to Buckingham Palace on a work trip once. The gift shop is fucking pricey! The only thing I could afford was a lip balm in the shape of a police officer ice cream was about a fiver too.

Any hereditary system is a problem in a developed country with pretensions to democracy. For me it isn't a question of how expensive the farce is to run. It's that the farce exists in the first place: it's antediluvian and has no place in the 21st century.

My position would still be the same even if the Mountbatten-Windsors were models of morality, valour and discretion. But as custodians of the ludicrously elevated, socially privileged space they occupy, they're a resounding failure. That said, it's hardly surprising when the national media and privileged circle surrounding you say 'yes' to your every whim, laugh at your dire jokes as though you're the next best thing to Father Jack and at all times tell you exactly what you want to hear. The world is bound to look extremely skewed from that kind of warped perspective.

They are not fit to hold their position. But I'd start by getting rid of the Lords.

I always understood the Queen was no nonsense and big on doing one's duty, so why is she letting him hide?

I don't think they'll survive if Charles takes reign as King.

I think they may realise that themselves and are priming Wills and Kate for the role. I think if they go down this route they may survive.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xIUe4Y5rxps

Not quite Posho JK but halfway there .

how can they skip Charles though?

I think what will happen is that Charles will not live to be as old as his mother. his reign will be shorter and William will take the helm at about 52 -54

I’m a Republican so I think they all need to be retired.

How long can the queen go on protecting Andrew before the country objects.

"contributing billions to the economy through tourists etc"

The tourists don't even see them, just the Palace and Windsor Castle , Crown Jewels, etc.
France has more tourism than any other country in the world and no monarch. Doesn't stop people going to Versailles.

@Itsnotover

His problem is that the jury of public opinion has already judged him guilty based on no evidence other than one photo and the unsubstantiated word of some woman. No fan of his, I know people who've been involved on a work level and he's an entitled brat but I do feel he can never get a fair hearing

‘Some woman’? Not a nice way to refer to a victim. There is a great deal of evidence about what he was doing with Epstein. He thinks he’s above the law.

But really, the current allegations/litigation are a symptom, not a cause, of the problem with having a RF. Andrew has been pissing around for years in a bubble of privilege, doing fuck all except spend money. He's got involved with dodgy characters and thought of nothing but his own pleasure.

He may or may not be guilty of the current, specific allegations against him, but he's put himself in a position of being open to such claims, by virtue of his lifestyle and general attitude.

Take Princess Anne, who at least takes her Royal duties seriously - you can't imagine her becoming involved in this kind of scandal. But the problem with a hereditary monarchy is that you can't pick and choose. If something had happened to Charles before he had the chance to have children, we'd be looking at Andrew as the next King. We wouldn't be able to say, well, let's have Anne instead because she's got a stronger sense of duty. That's why they all need to go.

@KarenofSparta

[[https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xIUe4Y5rxps]]

Not quite Posho JK but halfway there .

That's hilarious and not really 'middle class' is it?

@Sagaz

how can they skip Charles though?

I think what will happen is that Charles will not live to be as old as his mother. his reign will be shorter and William will take the helm at about 52 -54

He can abdicate.

And he should.

@Echobelly

What's mostly embarrassing is that presumably the rest of the world thinks Brits all love and go on about the royals when most are totally indifferent.

Absolutely right. Or the Brits who go on about 'our' monarchy being the 'envy of the world'.

For what? Opposing or being denied a vote for our own Head of State? And who are all these envious foreigners? I have yet to meet one.

Imagine having to call that disgusting creep Your Royal Highness.

Fucking Highness!!!