A right royal carve-up

by Alan Tyers

MPs, failed but lavishly pensioned Speakers, BBC executives, bailed-out bankers...and now the Queen as well? Has EVERYONE got their hand in your pocket?

As her subjects battle through the biggest recession in a generation, the cost of keeping the Queen in corgis and formidable hats has risen. The total annual cost of the monarchy is up £1.5m to £41.5m.

The Queen’s Civil List, which includes staff, cost £13.9m in 2008. £7.9m of that came from the Government (i.e. the taxpayer) and a further £6m came from a reserve fund that was built up during the 1990s with unspent (i.e. taxpayers’) money.

That pot now stands at "just" £21m, so even the most mathematically challenged royal (no doubt a strong field) should be able to work out that, at the current rate of spending, it’ll all be gone in three years or so.

And so the Royal Family will be wanting more money.

As the Government - this one, the next one, whatever - effects huge public spending cutbacks to fund the bailouts of their chums in the City, the beleaguered taxpayer will have to dig ever deeper to support an anachronistic bunch of losers, freeloaders and no-hopers.

The Queen, Gawd bless her, has done a magnificent job, but once she goes, it’s time for this obscenely-funded monarchy to reform, massively. They have assets and earning potential, so let them pay for their own keep: scrap the civil lists and let them sink or swim.

There is just no justification for having an already vastly wealthy man like Prince Charles and his Hooray Henry sons suckling on the public teat – let alone the also-ran 15th in-line nobodies.

If they want to stay on with people bowing and scraping before them, they can do it without enjoying the largesse of their supposed social inferiors.

Comments

[Shafted Briton]

Posted by: JB | 01 July 2009 at 11:32

The race and and racial tension started when the Government of the day allowed immigration and the present Government won't do anything about limiting the numbers that come into the country.

Nobody started it off like you suggest its always there.

This Government could get in again tomorrow if it did something about the foreigners and illegals. But it won't and so it won't get in.

The British public has had enough.

[carlos FH]

Patti 1154 ; to answer your question I agree with you everyone is entitled to an opinion but I feel you missed the point being made - never mind eh? If you want to make a serious argument about something avoid mixing it up with something else which will dilute your main point - otherwise you may look stupid. Do you understand?

[Start at the top]

There are more foreigners live in the CAPITAL of England than English born and bred.

Then most of our next big cities are also overflowing with foreigners.

Why?

Because they have all followed their leaders into SOFT TOUCH ENGLAND.

I beleive more than 10 percent of the county is now immigrant families.

And probably the richest lives in buck house.

Start at the top and repatriate them all then get an HONEST DECENT HONOURABLE TRUSTWORTHY GOVERNMENT and start again.

Reconstruct walls and dykes becaust they want to be on their own so let them fend for themselves and England could once again stand upright in the world.

[Jamie]

Years ago, our Monarchy owned c.300 acres of land in the Mayfair & Belgravia (now worth well over £5billion)... One of the queens ancestors gave this to the state (most of it is now owned by the Duke of Westminster) in exchange for a public-funded allowance. I think we owe it to our ancestors that the queen continues to be funded by us.
Please also consider the amount of tourism the monarchy & all of its pomp generate for the country and the money this, in turn, injects into our economy - even in a recession!
I'm guessing that over half of all of Englands tourists come to see us because of the Royals, and the history that the family carries.

[Diane Kelly]

I feel really strongly FOR our Royal Family. I can remember the time when nothing was ever published about the Royals, and now they are treated with no respect what so ever. Without our Royal Family, we would loose out on a great deal of money created by themselves, for our Country!
I think too much of our heritage is going, through do gooders in Britain that to do this to our Queen, and make her pay her own way, then we truely have lost the plot BIG time. Long live our Queen.

[T.Patton]

We are told that the monarchy, or is it just the Queen? costs less than 70P for each of us a year.
How much, per capita, in their constituencies does each MP cost?

[The Bogus Anon]

Everyone's congratulating Shel on a great post but it's fallen off the bottom. Re-post please Shel.

[Paul Sutton]

When we were an Empire, we had an Emperor. When we were a Kingdom, we had a King, now we a a country and we have a load of thieveing B****** politicians, who should be strung up by the B***s, and give the money they have stolen from the taxpayer, to further enhance the Monarchy. It will be a POOR POOR day for Britain should the Monarchy ever fold. Long Live the Royals, GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

[John]

Shel - I have to agree with almost everything you say - the difference is that I am now doing something about it - rather than moaning pointlessly about what is happening to this once great country - I'm leaving - I'm getting out of this country for good - I'm voting with my feet - I've had enough. Will the last person to leave please turn the lights out..

[patti]

Carlos why is Mr Tyler stupid every one is entitled to their own opinions and Shaka Zulu why are we morons if we don't believe in the Royal family. You might have loads of money to keep dipping your hands in your pockets but the majority of us don't have enough money to pay our own bills let alone those who have millions

[lynn owens]

i have just read the comments by SHEL posted today. she has hit the nail on the head. i agree with SHEL 100%. SHEL, i reckon you should send that to gordon brown or use it to start a petition. its brilliantly put. you have covered everything. well done. you have my full support.

[Chares Edward Stewart]

SCOTTISH AND PROUD
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, Build a fence round Calais let the french pay for the immigrants.
Lizzie you do a grand job for this country, keep it up.

[lynn owens]

i dont know how long they think we taxpayers can keep bailing out everything that goes wrong in this country. where does the government think we get the cash from to do so. the government has gone to the dogs since labour took power. gordon brown mite have one or two (and only one or two) good ideas but they never come to fruition. on looking at these figures, i dont think we can afford a monarchy. as has already been written, we, the public, are struggling to live ourselves but we treat them to a life of luxury. i think it is disgusting! also the MP's we put our trust in, or maybe we did in the past, just abuse us. we employ our MP's so what right do they have to not be available for comment when asked questions about where they have spent our money on themselves, e.g. expenses? i could go on & on but it is too depressing!

[William]

If you left wing republicans want the monarchy out, sod off to a republic somewhere. Leave Great Britain to the real British, with British ideals and the sense of history which makes us unique. You've had your 15 seconds of fame. Now buzz off.

[Robert]

There has been an inevitable response to this blog - the screaming ignorance from the lefties, showing their envy and the wish to destroy everything, turning the country into a 'sink estate' so that they can feel at home!
Ducking behind the sofa I'll leave you to it!

[Margaret]

They should on the whole pay for themselves but be paid an allowance and (sensible) expenses for what they do.

[Eddy and Jasper]

Why not? we are already paying for the rest of the country's aristocrasy expenses and toys.
After all what do the employed (and retired) men and women work for?
To pay for all those of course! Didn't you know that?

[JB]

Tyers just like most of these blog starters are only creating hatred and tension amongst the British population.

Who funds and backs these nasty minded blog starters?

Is it Orange?
Is it our government?
Is it a foreign government?
Is it a Christian organisation?
Is it a muslim organisation?

Whoever is allowing these people to start such obnoxious race and class hating blogs should be banned and if they work for orange they should be sacked.

And if it is orange they should have whatever isp license they have revoked.

[Eddy and Jasper]

Sorry, I left out the word work in the sentence: After all, what do the employed (and retired) men and women for?

After all, what do the employed (and retired) men and women 'WORK' for?

[Robert]

And to replace Her Majesty we will have a President who will cost us much, much more and not provide the international presence that the Queen does. What a great idea - President Blair, I don't think so! If the Royal family don't do state visits etc. they won't need the money but the country will be much poorer.
Robert. (a realist!)

[Eddy and Jasper]

We may as well pay for the Queens expenses as we already pay for the rest of the country's aristocracy.

After all, what do the employed (and retired) men and women for?

It's to pay for them of course! Didn't you know that?

[James]

I think it healthy to look carefully at where the money goes but we too are all flawed and could be improved. There are qualities that Elizabeth II and Prince Charles etc. have which I think are admirable - I don't expect them to always get everything right. Most all of us have been born in to a form of privilege - there is great material wealth here - but in this country there is great spiritual poverty - often displayed by our lack of respect for one another - and our inability to treasure the value of other things that bring true happiness & joy. We can't be improved by shutting out the world but by getting stuck in and encouraging the best in all people and probably sustaining a society that is more often safeguarding ourselves from ourselves our weaknesses. Re-address the balance fine. Encourage morality built on the truth of who we really are. Be thankful and compassionate. Learn from your time here and give the next generation hope & peace.

[shaka zulu]

to well does she. are you just stupid or what??

[carlos FH]

Mr Tyers, yes there are some things 'we' have to pay for and some things are well worth it in my opinion while others are not. But I cannot agree that bailing out the obscene greed of the banks or MP expenses scandals can be put into the same category as the Royal finances. You've let your argument down and it is clearly an ill considered anti Royalty point of view you are trying to peddle.
Consider reform of any kind OK, but there are many higher priority points to start reforming, that don't support your wild supposition that the Royal Family are an "obscenely-funded monarchy".
Financial reform YES but leave the Royals alone if you are making that argument, or you'll just look stupid.

[shaka zulu]

they are worth every penny and more. lets get rid of those morons who think we should get rid of our royal family.

[Russell]

"free university education for all".......heaven help us, more than enough dummies go their as it is........what next.....Waynetta the brain surgeon and Wayne the fighter pilot.

[peter Ridgway]

The Queen is are greatest asset remember she gave up her crown estate income which is double what we pay to keep her.

[Russell]

Have you ever noticed that all those that declare free this and free that always point to somebody other than themselves to pay for it.........oh, that's being a bit harsh, I'm sure they will all have arranged with their lawyers to give their inheritance away to such magnificent causes.

[TOP stylist used as well]

What about the daily hairstyling that probably costs a minimum wage workers takehome pay for a month.

TOP stylist used as well.

[Russell]

"every person in this country is capable of doing her so-called job"........don't know what country this guy lives in but most in this country can hardly write their name or count let alone address the nation......and once again you can thank your leftie "prizes for all" theories for that. This is how rediculous it has got, the thickos actually believe they are clever and capable of tasks that are leagues beyond them.

[HAVE A CLOSE LOOK]

HAVE A CLOSE LOOK AT THE PHOTOGRAPH!!!!

Look at what is on that head ,around the neck and dangling from the ears.

A FEW new hospitals.

A Few new nursing homes.

FREE UNIVERSITY EDUCATION for all.

Cheaper energy.

Probably a few trident missiles that the country cant afford.

And repatriation FOR ALL ILLEGALS landed in the last 30 years.

[Well thats exactly it isnt it?]

"Stop wasting money on asylum leaches"

Well thats exactly it isnt it?

This lot are the biggest example of that statement.

Germans on one side and Greeks on the other.

Are their immigration papers in order?

Were they vetted like current immigrants are SUPPOSED to be vetted?

No but like all immigrants REFUSED asylum the USELESS government we have TAKE NO ACTION.

Under our governments wonderful scheme it cost £1 million pounds to repatriate only one family last year out of the many thousands refused asylum.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST TO REPATRIATE THIS FAMILY???

I am sure it would be worth it.

[Paul]

Absolutely bang on the nail shel .well said,this used to be a great country not only to live in but be proud of & now look at it.It's a joke !!

[SHEL]

BRITAIN HAS BECOME ONE SAD DEPRESSING COUNTRY TO WAKE UP TO THESE DAYS AS I AM SICK TO DEATH OF HEARING ABOUT POLITICIANS STEALING MONEY AND GETTING AWAY WITH IT & THE ROYALS BEING ALLOWED TO PRACTICALLY LIVE FOR FREE. ME AND MY FIANCE RUN OUR OWN SMALL BUSINESS AND IT IS BREAKING MY HEART THE AMOUNT OF HOURS WE HAVE TO WORK TO MAKE IT SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THE TAX AND VAT BILLS ARE JUST CRIPPLING US TO MUCH AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE MIGHT HAVE TO FOLD BECAUSE OF THIS AND I KNOW WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES. YET MILLIONS UPON MILLIONS OF IMMIGRANTS EVERY YEAR ARE BEING ALLOWED TO ENTER OUR COUNTRY AND TAKE OUR JOBS AND LIVE OFF STATE BENEFITS WHY! AND BILLIONS UPON BILLIONS OF OUR HARD EARNED MONEY IS BEING GIVEN TO OTHER COUNTRIES YET ALL THE THANKS WE GET IS SLAGGED OFF, BOMBED, SOLDIERS UNNECESSARILY KILLED YET THE GOVERNMENT KEEP LETTING IT HAPPEN. BRITAIN USED TO BE A COUNTRY TO BE RECKONED WITH IN MY GRANDDADS DAY AND WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO RULE BRITANNIA! NOT ANYMORE, THIS SAD PATHETIC COUNTRY IS JUST SEEN AS A COUNTRY THAT IS EASILY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY ANYONE COS YOU CAN GET EASY ACCESS AND GET WHAT YOU WANT IF YOUR FORIEGN BECAUSE SADLY THIS GOVERNMENT HAS NO BACKBONE AND FOLLOWS EVERY OTHER COUNTRY LIKE LITTLE LOST SHEEP AND PUTS MORE ONUS ON MONEY & FORIEGNERS THAN ITS OWN TRUE BRITISH CITIZENS LIVES & WELFARE!!! AS FOR THE QUEEN I COULDN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT HER OR HER FAMILY COS AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED ALL SHE'S EVER DONE FOR ME IS TAKE MY HARD EARNED MONEY!

[Russell]

there we go again, typical......monarchy inheritance is silly........but I bet those who preach this ensure their inheritance is ensured, if it wasn't they'd make sure all hell broke loose.

[Tom]

We have had a Constitutional monarchy since the end of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms over 350 years ago. The monarchy provides a line of continuity through-out this country's history irrespective of who actually runs it. To say that they are are drain on our resources is to misunderstand how the finances of the monarchy have operated since the introduction of the Civil List. If the government decided to end the Civil List they (the government) would lose upwards of £150 million going into the Treasury from the assets of the monarchy. Prince Charles does not draw on the Civil List but pays tax on his holdings as the Duke of Corwall, living off the remaining amount. Only the immediate family of the Queen are on the Civil List, those nearest in line to the throne; the others either make their own way or are subbed by the Queen through her own monies. The amount paid from the government into the Civil List has been frozen for several years and so has not kept in line with inflation. The monarchy's buildings are falling apart and in dire need of repair yet the government prevaricates over a measly £21 million when they are pouring billions into failed banks and social security benefits to keep the vast majority of the unemployed tied to the state.
The monarchy may be wealthy by most of our standards but at least their expenses are not blacked out, nor do they defraud the individual of their life savings.

[Paul]

Upperclass , all the same think your above everyone else because you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. You can't really talk about money issue's as you have'nt got a clue abouts it's value.

[Nigel]

Hell no, in fact the woman should reimburse the public purse of all the money she and her family have taken over the years: I wonder how much that would come up to. Every person in this country is capable of doing her so-called job - and what exactly are her qualifications by the way? Oh yes, she was born into it. It's so good to be a queen!

[loNgH0p]

Well as Tom Paine said hereditary monarchy is as idiotic a notion as hereditary wise men.

[Russell]

why should we pay for all the dhss that don't want to work (genuine cases, illness etc excluded)......why should we pay for those who borrowed irresponsibly.......

[mark curling]

why should we pay for them we have to pay our own bills and times are hard and we would have more money in our pockets

[Russell]

that's funny dave so did I until the lefties with their social inferiority complex started making it a debate about the "stuck up" "upper class".

[ROYAL AND LOYAL]

God help us all if the present Prime minister or any one in goverment replaced our Queen as President. There cannot run the country as it is let alone rule it. Leave the Queen alone she does a grand job never a foot out of place, remember she did not want the position nor did her Father it was thrust upon them. To help pay for the Royals get rid of all the spongers coming to this counrty for a free ride send them back home and we would sve millions.

[margaretjackson]

WELL, DID YOU EVER.
I LIVED IN CALIFORNIA FOR THIRTY YEARS AND WHEN SO MANY PEOPLE ENVIED GREAT BRITAIN BECAUSE THEY HAVE A ROYAL FAMILY. AND TO TO ADD THE ONE THING THEY WANTEED TO SEE WAS BUCKINGHAM PALACE AND THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD. SHOPPING CAME SECOND.
SO I SEE LETS KEEP THEM...

[dave]

thats funny russell i thought this was abuot the royal family

[Russell]

Well said Phill, I'd go even further and say it's the leftie social inferiors that need pulled back into line......being allowed to buy and profit from their council houses at other tax payers expense, allowed on the road with cars via Yes Car Never Never Finance, their 25 times salary mortgages, their social inclusion University entry for thickos, their degrees for saving up the corn flakes tokens etc......they are thick, rotten to the core with envy, they muck up everything they get their incompetent hands on and that's why the country is in a mess.

[Andrew Medhurst]

STOP picking on the easy targets!! The Royal family is worth every penny!! BUT it's about time our politicians stopped wasting OUR MONEY on asylum leaches, making and pandering to other religions who only want to take over our GREAT country and finally - lazy benefit claimers that pay nothing towards society, cost money through crime and get equal treatment when they need hospital attention!! STOP wasting money on these factions and we could all retire earlier!!!!

[Well does she??????]

Does she wipe her own b*******?

Or does a poor housemaid on MINIMUM wage or even less take care of that as well?

Well does she??????

[dave]

upper class, stuck up, never done a thing for themselves, and for gods sake get rid of the awful national anthem, other countries sing about their country we sing about a wrinkly old bat.

[Lord Ruprecht]

I hope you can tell me how many countries actually have a royal family because I can tell you this, there are rare. We almost lost our monarchy and heritage after the English Civil war.
So when you moan that the tax payer pays for their upkeep, I think around 70p is worth it. Do the math, my friend, before you go and try to overthrow the monarchy.

[Phill]

People forget that the Civil List was put in place in exchange for the Crown Estates which are worth £7 Billion and generated a profit last year of over £200 Million so in that sense the Royal family made a profit for the taxpayer of over £150 Million, but that would not make a good story for the Republicanites out there who are envious of anyone with more than they have.
The Royal family do a lot for this country and its high time people realised that and not just looked at the cost of keeping them.
To put it in perspective when Tony Blair became Prime Minister in 1997 his Government spent £7 Million on celebratory parties.
As far as I'm concerned if we as a nation don't wish to fund the Royal family through our taxes then we should give back the Crown Estates, I'm sure that the Queen would be happy to swap.

[c.smith]

Our QUEEN "God Bless her",has given this country and the world at large something which most of us can only imitate,but certainly not duplicate."A lifetime of dedication and devotation".
During her reign life has been better,and as Our Queen let us not begrudge her anything, she has certainly earned it all.

[Donna Patko]

The royals are worth every penny, its one of the few things that are still great in Great Britain, sadly there are not many thongs left!

[Paul Sutton]

For Gods sakes, get on with your own lives and leave the Monarchy alone. Do you not understand you pay taxes anyway, and the money the royal family generate in the tourism markets, for all the pagentry certainly outweighs 69p per day in my opinion. In fact in my opinion, we should be paying a lot more to keep a national institution going. GOD SAVE THE QUEEN, AND OUR FUTURE HERITAGE

[Pauline]

God save the Queen, She is worth every penny. Time we got rid of the ones who milk the system with social benifits.Don't work & wont work. At least the Queen works hard & she hasn't retired at 60.!!

[Helen]

well for 69p per person I think she's worth it. They do a lot of good for the country that goes unrecognised because good news doesn't sell newspapers. Do people really want to become like the United States where their head of state is elected? Look at some of the disasters they've had in charge over the years .... in fact look at what we've elected (sort of) into power and then he's gone because he can't cope or whatever reason Blair gave and left us with Mr Brown and a bunch of crooks earning a fat living off the state.
The Queen is actually known for her thriftiness and she elected to pay taxes herself when she didn't need to - how many of us would do that? And how many of us could live our lives permanently on duty like she does? Her famous 'duty first, self second' approach - for all the whingers try putting yourself in her shoes. Her privilege would be all too easy to abuse and she doesn't, so leave her alone and let her get on with her unerring duty to this country. A lot of people could learn by that example instead of 'take take take' and 'me me me' all the time.

[Jeff]

Inbreed parasites of very low intelligence.

[Eileen Routledge]

What pitiful attitudes are displayed regarding our Royal Family,these attitudes reflect the lack of respect for everyone and everything in this sad country which used to be Great Britain. Pull together and think of our great heritage which should always include the Royals

[rose]

we dont need the free loading royal family anymore what i dont understand is how we work r butts off only to be taxed and some people are struggling to pay rising costs of living.there are chldren living below the poverty line in 2009. yet they swan around and wouldnt know what a hard days work is

[HERMAN]

WE DONT NEED THE ROYAL INBREDS ANYMORE,THEY COST US TO MUCH MONEY.THEY GOT RID OF THE ONLY DECENT ROYAL

[steve vizard]

this country wastes so much money. on asylum seekers.teaching english.government expenses.drug adicts,alcoholics . the list is endless.the queen is part of England.AT LEAST SHE IS HONEST WITH HER EXPENSES.

[Mark]

Its all well and good whining about the queen 'taking' money from all us hardworking people, but in all fairness they do an absolute tonne of work for the country.

Lets take a look at all the other leachers in society, the comment that she should pay for living as everyone else does is absurd and unfounded, theres plenty people taking money from us without any issue other than they cant be bothered.

And to match that theres plenty people with lots of money effectively stealing even more money for themselves, i take it i dont have to point out any bankers or polititions names.

Lets bring back treason (in the sense of crimes against queen and country, not the execution part) for all this scum that think they can steal from society without being able to be prosecuted, wether rich or poor.

[leanne]

its not like they do anything for the money, she dont even pick her own dog poo up. about time they paid there own way and let the money b spent on something better.

[Peter H]

It's not the Queen that's driven the country into the ground. It's the Great Leader who's done that.

Is anyone suggesting that HE should be our Head Of State?

Hahahahahahahahaha!!!!

[richard]

the queen and all the royal family are worth every penny of the tax payes money.The kings and queens of england made this country not politicians why do you think we dont teach english history in our schools any more we should be proud of what the monarchy, we dont want a republic look what happed last time with that pratt cromwell.teach the kids the truth.god save the queen.Richard from Tamworth.Loyal subject of england god bless all loyal people of britain.

[jim]

time they paid there own way

[Jan Tibbles]

The monarchy is part of our history and no-one does pageantry as well as this country. But PLEASE let's get rid of the 'hangers on', together with our pathetic excuse for a government (although what we would get in their place God only knows).

[Van Zandt]

It is time for these parasites to vanish once and for all they have robbed us all since their conception we(taxpayers) do not have a say in what they get and we see nothing in return make them eat pie and make it very humble

[anti royal]

time for that shower to go its time the english rebublic was born what use are they take all our taxes and more get rid and sooner the better just look what happened to diana enough said

[Peter]

The Queen can sleep easy in her bed. She's absolutely safe from the manoeuvrings of politicians. Within 12 months the Greed & Envy Party will be banished to oblivion for 30 years until they find some new clothes to fool the voters with, and meanwhile the Tory/Libs certainly aren't going to risk their votes by messing with the Monarchy.

It will be Charlie who destroys the Monarchy, with his self-styled role as "Leader Of All The Faiths" and suchlike trendiness. The Monarchy won't BE the Monarchy anymore so will fade away in the same way as the European Royals have faded away.

[oh dear]

Interesting to hear David Nicholls point of view doesnt take a genius to work out what his roots are. England hmmm so much for Great Britain and lets be frank there is no Great Britain I dont think that is something that should be shouted from the rooftops. The wealth and I'm sure assets that the Royal Family have aquired I think were primarily funded by the looting which was done during its days of the empire....they should be ashamed of themselves. There is no need for the Royal Family we could all do just as much if not more charity work anyone could if they didnt have to go out and earn a living! Pathetic how these people think they are doing people a favour.... they're kidding themselves on never mind kidding the public on!

[brian]

forget what the queen cost the tax payer, its nothing to what this labour goverment as done just think what the dhss state cost the tax payer billions thats what do nothing at school sit on your ass cost the tax payer were my house and dhss cheque that is this countrys bigest problem

[Ruth]

We have very little manufacturing in this county, so one of our best forms of income are our tourists but what with bad manners, bad behavour, expensive hotels and poor service why on earth would anyone would want to visit this country if it wasn't for our Royal Family and our history. They generate more money for us than most and we should be proud of our Royal Family and stop running them down.

[Paul Martin]

Couldn't give a monkeys about the queen, and her brood. She's not in my face every day, and brings in some tourist pennies, so i don't fret. Not to say i would bow down though. I'd prefer a republic, if possible. I want to vote them in, or out.
I'd get stuck into those landowners with inherited mansions that have never been registered, and thus never valued. Hence they pay zero inheritence tax on multi million pound windfalls. The average man gets walloped !!
It's the class system in this country that needs kicking out.
Wot wot !

[eddie]

perhaps we should bring back hanging!!!

[Joanna]

I have no disrespect for the royal family and I think they are good at what they do; however I do think that the idea of the tax payer continuing to support them is outdated as they do have their own means of income. I just think that all that money could be put into helping out the NHS and for educational purposes as both of these are in financial difficulty.

I know that the royal family are important to the economy; I just think tax payer’s money would be much better spent elsewhere.

[K]

The queen actually does pay for her own expenses. The Civil List pays for the business she does for the state.

Additionally the civil list was given in return for the heredity
rights from the crown estate. Monies that the government still obtain.

Do we give them back their rights to such income.

You dont expect to pay out for company business , but some it seems want the queen to subsidise the state.

[Paul]

Why should we follow other countries, We are all British, wether Welsh, English,Scottish or Irish. We have a Monarch and a damn good job she does too! She has done it for over 50years. I am proud to have a Royal Family, it brings a lot of revenue into this country. It would cost just as much for a President. So if you don't like our History or Tradition then kindly leave this country! This is one thing we should all fight to save. We have nothing else left in Britain, bar our Pride! GOD SAVE THE QUEEN.

[bernard benuly]

the queen should pay for her own expenses like every one else has to do.

[Andy]

According to the article I read about this (from Reuters) the Crown Estates pay £211 million per year to the government and the cost of the Monarchy is £45 million per year. Maybe I'm just a stupid product of Labour's "education" system but my limited grasp of rithmatic tells me that gives the government a profit from the Monarchy of £166 million per year. So if we get rid of the Monarchy, what happens to the Crown Estates? You guessed it - if Labour's in government they flog the Estates off to foreigners for a pittance, the way Brown did with our gold reserves, and if the Tories are in government they flog the Estates off to their buddies in the City to make a quick buck. either way the money they get is squandered on some half-baked scheme of theirs as soon as they've got it.

Keep the Queen, I say. God rot all politicians and their flunkies in the media.

[Rick]

Being British has nothing to do with being ripped off. At least I hope it doesn't. Although it seems that between the government (supposedly public servants) and the so called royal family we get ripped off left and right. Someone earlier said each tax payer only spends 69p a year on the royal family. I didn't realize 60mil people paid taxes. This is 2009, not 1609. Should we peasants still have to suppost this family, I think not. It's a crime against freedom and democracy. They don't need the support, they just want to get richer. I love this country so of course I don't like the few that take advantage of it. I absolutely hate when someone like the queen gets on the tele and acts like she understands what all of us poor peasants are going through. Neither she nor the so called public servants have a clue. They just keep taking more.

[Robin]

At 41.5 million pounds a year, the monarchy costs almost exactly the same as it costs us for one day's membership of that unwanted tyranny from Brussels, and when do we get a say on that?
As to the Queen not attending the ceremony for our servicemen, if the idiot who posted that means the D-Day Anniversary, the bloody French never invited her to attend, not really surprising when we've liberated them twice in the last century and been treated like dirt in return. We should have saved thousands of our young mens lives and let the nazis keep France as a punishment!
The Queen IS worth every penny.

[Olivia]

Can't the Royals tighten their belts a notch or two just like the rest of us?
Sit down at the kitchen table with pen and paper and work out where to make cutbacks. Seemples!

[steve]

This downtrodden country is a spot on observation. The problem is also the majority of the people who live in this country are not very well aware of how they are taken for a mug & for granted by the obscene ruling classes. who screw us for everything they can, useing their rules & laws for their convieneance.
The parasites at Buck Pal are worth millions but they still get state benefits, without being means tested, whilst there are people in this county who work hard & have little rewards for doing so.
However, they are expected to be grateful for being given the opportunity.
Good old Great Britain. Another myth

[mike]

David Nicholls.... well said that man say it loud say it proud, if you don't like our English history and heritage take the option and get out.

[David Nicholls]

God save the Queen .This is ENGLAND.not,usa,france,spain, germany .We have the monarchy,we have our history longer than most other's .If you want to get rid of something get rid of parliament and the greedy,not trusting,politcians.IF YOU DONT LIKE .LEAVE .Dont want you in england,go to usa,france,somewhere else. God save england .

[Ian]

The monarchy cost every UK citizen 69p each last year - do we really have to quibble about our Head of State costing us 69p? I know some people are cheapscates but saying the monarchy is too expensive shows just how far some people have strayed from reality!

How much has this sleazy Government cost us and what do they spend it on? We know they spend a huge amount on themselves and fund uncontrolled immigration at 6 times the rate of when they came into power!

The Queen and Prince Charles and many of the others are honest, dependable and dedicated to the public good. They are not self serving nobodies like Brown and the other nonentities at the top in politics. Do people really want an elected Blair / Brown sleaze job heading the country? I don't think so!

As for the comments about them being decended from robber barons etc - judging from the way the lords of the manor put themselves about I expect we all are. Nor is the Royal Family more foreign than most of the rest of us. If you go far enough back all Englishmen are from Germany!!!!

[G Brown]

Couldn't we convince the commission that they should make her Queen of Europe? Then the EU could fund her.

[mary]

H.M.Queen, is not the only royal family member that contributes to this country. Many of them do charity work and public engagements, that we do not get to hear about, because they are not the hottest news that day. To many people particularly older people who have no family, the royal family are their family. Queen Elizabeth has earned every penny she gets from us. The waste of money falls to consecutive governments, who seem incapable of common sense.

[Ross Ricketts]

Its all quite simple. We live in Great Britain. We have a monarchy, which the majority are very happy and proud to have. They serve our great country with pride and dedication. If you do not want a monarchy, if you do not believe they do a good job. Then please go away and live somewhere else. God save the Queen.

[Cadog of Cymru]

Of course she, and all her 'hangers on' should pay their way from her millions in income and assets. When I think of what is to follow her, god (if there is one) help us all. Prince Ponce and Queen Cowface.

[Janice]

What does the Queen do???? Didn't even bother to turn up for the latest rememberance serive, for Service people that died trying to save her & her Families lives, Disgrace.... There is a resession going on & some thing needs to give, the Tax in England (I think) is higher than any other Country. Something has gone seriously wrong with this country & I think it's too late to put things rite. I feel really sorry for the Children of today & they will be paying ridiculas amounts of Tax. Get rid.

[Freddie]

Not republican or royalist,would financing a presidency be any different in cost to the taxpayer.The main advantage is,at the present, that we have a none political head of state.Given the present state of affairs with the cost of MPs and Parliament,the Queen does put some cost back into the economy and provide an attraction for tourists to visit us.Also She gives a none political vow of allegiance to the Country by our various armed forces and services.

[Carl]

The article isn't about the Labour government though, Les lee, otherwise I might agree with you.

[yvonne]

I think the Queen is absolutly fantastic and she dose fetch a lot of money into this country,
however the other Royals should be made to fend for themselves like everyone else and when Charls is crowened king then we should keep him but not untill.
As for all the Auntys and Uncles so called? they need to get off their backsides and stop helping to run this country into the ground

[David Wilcox]

In life unless you experience the highs you don't understand the lows and if you hit the bottom you don't know you are there unless you've reached the top.
Thats life, while we spend most of our time somewhere inbetween if that was the sum total of our lives we would all be the same feel the same have no aspirations and no struggles, that 's socialism round down to the lowest common denominator.
The Queen and the majority of the Royal Family are theorectically the Top (Now surpassed by the Super Rich so called stars or big business moguls)the rest of us over the centuries measured our standards by them whether for good or bad but the real truth is that todays Monarchy work harder and longer hours that they ever did before and they do our Country a great service.That is evolution. Many countries who do not have a history or have burnt their Monarchy are frequently in awe of our Royal Family.
For what they do for this country they are worth every Penny they get...would you swop places with them??

[les lee]

actually carl ... the one thing that has historically stagnated society in this country is a labour government !!
if you look back over the years ( post war government excepted) a labout government always reduces the national output by at least 25 percent
thats social stagnation matey ...... dont forget it !!

[Carl]

Hey, 'downtrodden uk', if you go far enough back, maybe you'll realise there's a bit of Saxon and Celt and Norman and Roman and probably a bit of everywhere else in you, too. The Royal Family are as British as you are.

Personally, whilst I admire the work they do for charities and as ambassadors for our country, they're outdated and really should go. I won't bend at the knees for these people, and saying they're "part of our culture", whilst true, is another outdated mode of thinking. Horses and carts were once part of our culture. Public hangings were, too.

Culture changes and evolves, and that's what is healthy. If you stop it, society stagnates.

[Tony]

The Royal Family are part of the fabric of the UK, and are stuck with the job. Its the likes of the cronies of the BBC who really wind me up, mega money with threats of being prosecuted if we don't pay up. Car parks built (Wood Lane) so these overpaid nobodys can park their cars, its a public service run by a private clique. Give us a job, I can do that!

[downtrodden country]

The monarchy and the house of lords are all descended from rogues and vagabonds from the middle ages and before.

Most of them are foreign.

This country is ruled by and over run by foreigners.

Get rid of them all and have proper democratic elections and elect BRITISH people WHO WANT TO DO GOOD for this downtrodden country.