The average age of the seven minor working royals is 76 - should younger members take on more

[Solent123]

Excluding the King, Queen and the Wales family there are seven other working members of the Royal family with a combined average age of 76, carrying out hundreds of engagements every year - for example the Duke of Kent is 89 and still carries out regular engagements - should younger members take on more or will all these engagements become unnecessary in the future as Charles streamlines things.

They are,
Duke Of Edinburgh - 68
Duchess Of Edinburgh 59
Duke Of Gloucester 80
Duchess Of Gloucester 78
Princess Royal 74
Duke Of Kent 89
Princess Alexandra 87

Not Middle Eastern oil states, she's not that senior 😂a fairly friendly small state. Nothing dramatic, but there are times the British government thinks it is worth having someone turn up, smile and shake hands.

Just as representatives of the government turn up to e.g. the Olympics, or in the aftermath of a tragedy etc. Or our local mayor (not a political role here, purely representative) turning up to present youth awards or opening the fun dog show.

Representing the community (or state, or city etc) is a job.

Whether it should be an inherited job is another argument.

Surely that’s an argument for the Duke of Kent no longer being funded, rather than an argument for giving multimillionaire Beatrice Mapelli Mozzi even more taxpayer’s money for cutting a few ribbons?

It is only a job if it can be applied for. Otherwise it is a sinecure.

Her husband is half-Italian and presumably entitled to an Italian passport, she would probably then be able to get a spousal visa.

And thinking about it, her grandad was Greek! According to Wikipedia “Greeks born abroad may transmit citizenship to their children from generation to generation indefinitely”.

Yes I agree. I’ve always felt that William would have been much happier as a search and rescue pilot .

No, her husband isn’t half Italian! You are thinking of Beatrice. I assume it’s because her husband works there and they have lots of money.

The point is they don’t have a choice, just as a spouse doesn’t have a choice. They can’t resign or look for another job.

But I thought the plan was a slimmed down monarchy?

Fair enough, I guess they are eligible for Greek citizenship.

Perhaps they don’t want to take on any duties- they have jobs outside the Royal Family

B & E don't receive taxpayers money and haven't had funded personal security for years - they probably get a good deal on the rent at KP/St JP.

You've chosen the wrong example there. The Middle East rulers have huge respect for the British Royal Family and relationships have been strong for donkeys years. The Arabic mentality would need the top boss as opposed to lesser diplomats. You underestimate their relevance in many areas of international life.

Of course. I think you are missing my point. With the RF that is all they do! The surface stuff. And they are very well resourced in staff helping them do it.

A diplomat has less personal help and a far wider remit, with far more responsibility, presumably overseeing a lot of research, negotiates trade agreements or influences foreign policy. I’m not sure that the two roles are comparable tbh.

Yep, I was replying to somebody saying B&E should become working royals again because they are better known than the Duke of Kent - I was saying no they should not!

I know the royals are in with the Middle Eastern oil states. They give Charles millions in cash in random suitcases.

And I think you are missing my point!

Representing - turning up, smiling, shaking hands - is a job, it does matter to some people, it does take 'work'.

Yes, a lot of behind the scenes work is also needed. But so.is the 'turn up and smile'.

Yes, and as I said previously, the “turning up and smiling” is about ten times easier when you are driven there both ways, don’t have to think about organising clothes, or haircuts, or makeup, or work out who to invite, or who to to talk to, and when your secretaries have done all of the briefing work for you.

I bet you £100 that our cash strapped ambassadors, apart from a few in very presitgious positions, such as Ambassador to the US or Paris, get the same level of support and back up as the royals who are doing a much less demanding job, and even then the help may only stretch to security, driver and a clothes allowance.

Really? A guaranteed income and a degree of protection from the media that ordinary celebs would kill for?

No queueing up for decades to get barebones mental health care or any other medical care.

Most parents of DC with any special needs would grasp it just to get access to decent help and care. Most of the junior royals have also been free to pursue interests secure in the knowledge that they can get a job in any industry thanks to connections (heard the Yorks spouting about AI yet?).

"One of my cousins is a diplomat. She has to attend functions as a representative of the UK. Yes, she has staff and they do a lot of the legwork. But turning up, wearing something appropriate and saying the right things counts as work".

Doers she get to hand down her job to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren?
Does she get to live in the love diplomat house for ever then have her ancestors live there for ever?
Does she get to have large expensive properties given to her siblings and their descendants?

We do not need minor Royals. Let them get proper jobs

@Notmoog ""One of my cousins is a diplomat. She has to attend functions as a representative of the UK. Yes, she has staff and they do a lot of the legwork. But turning up, wearing something appropriate and saying the right things counts as work".

Does she own the seabed up to 12 miles off the British Coast?

Does she get unlimited paid sick leave?

Does she get deceased people's estates if they die without a will?

does she get to oversee laws before they are passed in parliamnet and make amendments so they favour just her family?

The worst bit for me was having to drink things that made me ill (cola/sprite etc) because it would have hurt feelings if I had declined. I assume the RF are able to specify those sorts of thing in advance

I doubt this would bother Charles at least, @Baital, given that it's said he takes everything with him when visiting ... organic food, drink, bedding, even his own drinking glass

Personally I can't imagine the rudeness of suggesting that hosts won't make even a modest effort, but it would appear that he cares nothing for rudness just so long as he's not discomfited in the slightest way

Apparently (friend who organised an event where Charles attended) his request was a selection of British cheeses and oatcakes, plus access to a toilet.

A different friend organised an event where Anne was a guest - required a selection of sandwiches without onion (plus access to a toilet)