haha nice one TJ 😆

Mornington Crescent.

I know it’s an old arguement but “President Blair”

An I’d much rather have Prince Phillip than Cherrie!

Anyone got any figures on the cost of the Japanese Emporer?

Norway. Sweden. Belgium. Luxembourg. Andorra. Liechtenstein

who?

Norway. Sweden. Belgium. Luxembourg. Andorra. Liechtenstein.

O behave… not even in the same league..

On reflection I think that sadly there are many more ready to genuflect at the whiff of Royalty.

What age group?

Denmark. Netherlands. Norway. Sweden. Belgium. Luxembourg. Andorra. Liechtenstein.

And using the same test: asking people what they know about these countries – I bet you’d have “Royal Family” show up a LOT less in the answers.

For me

Denmark=bacon
Netherlands=drugs
Norway=ice
Sweden=blondes
Belgium=beer
Luxembourg=where?
Andorra=cheap skiing
Liechtenstein=tax haven

🙂

I used to be a staunch republican, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve actually developed a soft spot for the monarchy. The logical part of me says that it’s utterly ridiculous to hold up one family above all others in a massively privliged position because they were born into that position, rather than earning it. But the other part of me has a sneaking fondness for the utter absurdity and pagentry of it all, and a morbid fascination in seeing the result of generations of in-breeding.

Denmark = Lego.
Netherlands = tulips and windmills, and little boys sticking their fingers in dykes.
Norway = fjords, pining for the. Also, Slartibartfast.
Sweden = Ikea, porn.
Belgium = beer, chocolate, waffles, chips with curry ketchup, did I mention the beer?
Luxembourg = nil points.
Andorra = uh, them shaggy goat things.
Liechtenstein = couldn’t find it on my map at first, finally discovered it under a Jammie Dodger crumb.

The logical part of me says that it’s utterly ridiculous to hold up one family above all others in a massively privliged position because they were born into that position, rather than earning it

That goes for any rich family tho.

Denmark = Lars Ulrich 🙁
Netherlands = Clogs
Norway = Black Metal. And Ah-Ha
Sweden = Abba
Belgium = Chocolate
Luxembourg = Small
Andorra = Commencals
Liechtenstein = Nearly a pop artist

I know it’s an old arguement but “President Blair”

Its old but I dont think its an argument.

If you can find me a single person from the lower or middle classes who thinks that, then I’ll admit that the myth has been perpetuated. Personally I think that myth died on its arse in the 50s.

The myth that one family is the only one that deserves to become head of state is certainly being perpetuated.

Absurd, isn’t it?

Does anyone think that only one person deserves it?

I’ve not met any people that care to be honest. Certainly not met anyone who think that the royals DESERVE it because they’re better. I think that most people just shrug and accept that one family was lucky.

The myth that one family is the only one that deserves to become head of state is certainly being perpetuated.

Absurd, isn’t it?

Not to me, no. I quite like that someone is born to become a head of state, brought up with a deep understanding of values, duty, dignity, diplomacy and honour, to spend their entire life in servitude to their country.

I don’t think they deserve it – but I’d rather that than we all just voted for someone with good hair and nice teeth.

brought up with a deep understanding of values, duty, dignity, diplomacy and honour, to spend their entire life in servitude to their country

You have seen the current crop of royals, right?

🙂

I was thinking specifically of the head of state, i.e. Queeny

For every Elizabeth II you have an Edward VIII.

I like the queen. In fact, as individuals I think they’re probably all nice enough people*. I feel sorry for them that they’re trapped in their position; it certainly seems as though William doesn’t particularly want to be in the position in which he is currently.

*Except for Andrew. Harry doesn’t count as he’s not, biologically, a royal.

Ah, poor loves.

Wunundred! 😀

Nothing more.

they should be sueing us ffs the firemane nurses teachers all get excited about reting early phil the greeks 90 years old and he still does a shift and er highness aint no spring chicken.. dont you think she might like a day down paignton rather than chumming up to the president of some african former colony..

They visited here on Wednesday the town was heaving with people and has publicised Alnwick again. So not only is it where Harry Potter went to School, the best place to live in the UK, has the best shopping street in the UK but it also has the Royal seal of approval.

Oh and I got some over time which was nice.

why do we need a head of state?

si_progressivebikes – Member
I think i read that the current excursions in Libya have cost around 300 million already?

That is one of the strangest arguments for the Royals I’ve ever read!

and has publicised Alnwick again.

Where? 😉

The Royal family own the sea bed beyond a set point (I forget the exact point). Any wind turbines e.t.c have to pay them rent. They own many other things that should be part of the state, there is no reason to subsidised their life when it is already massively subsidised by indirect methods such as these.

TheBrick – The Crown owns it not the queen personally the Crown estate is part of the UK’s Exchequer and so its revenues are at the mercy of the government of the day not the Queen. Income from the Crown Estate was exchanged for the civil list. There are still some royal estates whose income is retained in the family the most notable being Duchy of Cornwall whose income goes to Prince Charles and that is why he does not receive an allowance from the civil list, neither do his children.

thankfully we dont pay for all the millionaire royals just some of them…was that he point?
Th queen doe shave anon crown estate /income

The true value of the Queen’s private property, which includes Balmoral, Sandringham, a smaller collection of jewellery and some paintings has never been disclosed. She also derives a personal income of around £12.5million a year from the Duchy of Lancaster.
But a spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace insisted last night: “The Queen’s personal wealth has always been vastly exaggerated.”

No just correcting his error that the rent from offshore windfarms will not go to the Queen but the government. I then amplified to show there are other estates that generate income albeit there are quid pro quos i.e no civil list income. The Duchy of Lancaster is of course another such estate which generates a private income for the queen. It is worth noting that the Dutch royal family are far wealthier than ours in their private capacity.

if you are considereing the queens wealth you have to ask “can she sell it” iE can she sell buck palace? If not then its not a part of her personal wealth

I know that much TJ I did not list crown estates…I did not read the post above you either mefty 😳 Sorry
I also did not know about the Dutch family till I googled and yes poorer than them

Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Holyrood, the Crown Jewels are state assets. She does have private assets Balmoral, Sandringham, arts, jewellery etc and some investments. The assets of the Duchy of Lancaster (like the Duchy of Cornwall) are not available to the beneficiaries only income, capital disposals are reinvested not distributed so she can’t cut and run – well she probably can’t run as she is in her 80s.

EDIT: Just amplifying TJ’s point appreciate you understand the difference JY.