Father’s Day photo

[Mylovelygreendress]

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The woman who did the E2 impersonation died recently, and at about the same age (which I guess she'd have to be to pull off an impersonation). I've often wondered if she and HM ever came face to face.

But it's not a 'family photo' - they have released it to the press - it is a publicity photo, a marketing piece for the Royal Family, an institution they want the gullible public to buy into.

We, the public, are paying for the camera that took that picture, the press office that organised its release, whatever trip the Waleses went on to take the picture, the food they ate on the occasion, the clothes they are wearing in the picture.

So, as a member of the public, I think I'm allowed to have an opinion on the use that has been made of my money, and in this instance, the photograph represents very poor value.

I haven't personally called Elizabeth II 'the old queen' but I would suggest it's a somewhat sloppy way of saying 'the former queen', rather than an insult.

Yes, everyone is allowed an opinion! And an opinion of other’s opinions.

The rant about “I pay for everything you have” is one that government officials and civil servants the world over will have heard. Along with benefit recipients. It’s not terribly apt for people who have wealth from various sources and still choose to serve though. And it’s not very nice, in my opinion. Pretty sure if you added up all the taxes any one of us pays minus the other benefits we receive, it didn’t fund diddly squat. Not even the thread used to make their clothing.

Michael and Carole Middleton are also there today though. A tough pill to swallow for those who like to claim either (a) Carole was recently killed in a. Car crash; and/or (b) the Middletons have been supporting Kate in her divorce negotiations with William. I suppose there’ll be another lunatic theory trotted out to deal with this if William is seen behaving cordially with both his step mother and his mother in law (because let’s face it, it’s Carole Middleton they really are aiming at in their criticism).

I didn’t know Carole was “dead”! Why are they so determined to kill off Catherine and her family and in such dramatic ways 🤷‍♀️😂

Pretty sure if you added up all the taxes any one of us pays minus the other benefits we receive, it didn’t fund diddly squat.

I doubt it. I pay 40% tax and don't receive a penny from the state. I have private healthcare, and I don't have children so I'm not benefiting from state educational provision.

You live entirely off grid and interact with no one? Never partake of any medical inventions nor other scientific advances?

Presumably didn't go to school either, or have any childhood diseases that needed a doctor/hospital or a dentist.

Just another 'I'm a net contributor' brag. Sometimes I think I'm the only person on MN who isn't.

Im happy to live in a country where children receive a basic education regardless of parental contribution. I don’t have children either and for most of my life was one tiny single woman taking up very few resources and contributing more than most. I’ve never complained.

I pay for my interactions with others, where a cost is involved. I pay for any medical treatments I receive. I pay for my use of 'the grid'.

(Most) civil servants and other state funded workers represent reasonable value for money. But the Royal represent appalling value for money when you consider what they receive versus what they actually do. Leaving aside Catherine's illness this year, the Waleses were low on the list of hardest working royals last year.

Catherine only did 128 engagements in 2023- even if they were all full day engagements (which they weren't, a phone call can count as an engagement), that is very far from a full-time job.

We are taken for idiots by the Royals; they know they are riding a ridiculous and outmoded gravy-train, that's why they punt out silly photographs like this, in the hope people will be fooled into thinking they add some kind of value - clearly, many of you are indeed fooled by this ploy.

I can't be responsible for what my parents did or didn't pay for when I was a child. As an adult, I pay my way.

Well, whinge on then. You don’t have to like the photo. You’ll probably keep encountering it here and others like it, though.

And enjoy the infrastructure in your country as well as the educated populace. Life would be a real bitch in a place without them.

It seems some people think I do have to like the photo, because any criticism of it is jumped on.

I pay my way too.

Always have done.

I’m assuming there is a prize?

The prize is being taken for a prize fool by the Royal Family and their enablers.

I can’t account for people responding with their own opinions on discussion board. Is that really so surprising?

Do you want them all to change their minds about a nice photo because of your personal opinion? Or is it because your £1.70 pa has funded the entire thing?

Again, an opinion, which you are allowed. Though if some posters called anyone a fool here no doubt there would be mass reports.

I really hate all this net contributor shit. Wonder how many dustmen/women are "net contributors" and can afford private healthcare, few I'd imagine. Want to try living without them? I certainly wouldn't.

Well, are you wanting me to change my opinion because you think the Royal Family are good value for money and the photograph is a masterpiece? Or are you also expressing your own opinion, as I am.

It seems some people think I do have to like the photo, because any criticism of it is jumped on

Couldn't give a shiny shit what you think about it, frankly. And the criticism that's being 'jumped on' (interesting phrasing there) is the mean minded spiteful stuff; of which there is plenty over 17 pages.

Saying someone is being 'taken for a fool' is not the same as saying they are a fool. It means the other party, in this case, the Royal Family, is assuming they are a fool.

I agree. I’d love to be a net contributor as would my DH, but he has MS and is confined to a wheelchair and I am his carer as well as working part time. Claiming to be a net contributor comes across as smug to me

eta sorry for derail 😆

Please point me to anything I have said that is mean-minded or spiteful.

(Most) civil servants and other state funded workers represent reasonable value for money. But the Royal represent appalling value for money when you consider what they receive versus what they actually do

And yet just by appearing at Trooping the Colour on Saturday, Katherine managed to make the event (with pictures of the pagentry, the crowds, the military etc) a top print and live news story globally - showcasing the UK and one of its USPs - its heritage - positively.

Try buying that kind of global coverage before you start whining that Royal family are appalling value for money.