FabGuys.com forum: King and Queen in Italy on taxpayer money

By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Just not right

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By *aked gingerMan
36 weeks ago

Aylesbury

His the head of state ,if we had a president would be the same .

It's what happens

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Free loaders words fail me and I would probably get excluded look what happened to our real Queen Diana

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By *eterpiperMan
36 weeks ago

fife

The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take.

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By *yzantineMan
36 weeks ago

Offshore now, ignore pistcode

We could go all isolationist like the US. Sit in our corner and expect countries to come to us and (as DT says) ‘kiss our ass’.

You do need to invest in relationships

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

That’s a load of bollox they are useless

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" … look what happened to our real Queen Diana … "

She acted like a constant airhead? And died as a result..?

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

No sorry this the monarchy is totally wrong for the Uk today

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By *eefandfurMan
36 weeks ago

Edinburgh

He should follow his courageous son and try to go self-reliant with a pod-cast and jam making business.

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By *izzeekMan
36 weeks ago

Out & about

Flying the flag...soft diplomacy...

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

TbH it all died with our Queen the rest are just a load if a highly paid hangers on which the tax payer has to find it’s just totally wrong

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By *essa_MTV/TS
36 weeks ago

Red Rose County

"Free loaders words fail me and I would probably get excluded look what happened to our real Queen Diana "

Do you mean the one who divorced the Prince of Wales? The one who was killed in an Road Traffic Accident, caused by a d*unk driver. When she was out on the town with her boyfriend?

Only asking because I didn't think you could be queen when your dead.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Well believe you like and look at what we have got left with absolutely horses and tossers

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

So anyone who believes the current monarchy works for the UK they just work for themselves it’s just so wrong and needs change

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

I'm not a royalist by any stretch if the imagination, however what they cost us is almost not worth talking about, they cost each and every UK citizen less than £1 each year, that's right, less than £1, or 2 x 50p pieces, 100 pennies... even I'm prepared to give em that.

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By *eterpiperMan
36 weeks ago

fife

Some people won't be happy until we have an ayatollah as head of the country and then we will be screwed.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Just have to look at them are they a positive advert for the UK - answer no they are a complete pair of tossers

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"No sorry this the monarchy is totally wrong for the Uk today "

Republicans can never answer the following questions:

- If not the monarchy, who would be our head of state?

- How would that person be chosen?

- How much money would be spent on elections presumably on an ongoing basis thereafter?

- How much would be spent on campaigning?

- What salary would the new position entail?

- Where would the new person be living?

- What monies and staffing would be needed for the upkeep of previously royal estates and travel and hospitality and all aspects of their expenses overseeing the remit of their position?

- What would replace the huge loss of income especially foreign from the tourism and heritage aspects of the Monarchy?

- What would replace the funds lost to charities by their previously royal connections?

- What would replace the funds lost to businesses and retainers and goods with previously royal associations and the Royal warranties?

These are just a few things off the top of my head. There will be hundreds more. When you have serious answers to all of that, we can discuss the future of the Monarchy and what alternatives could work.

I’m about to turn 55 soon and I’ve never once heard a serious attempt to answer these things in my life. Just whining they are rich and outdated and privileged. And… next..?

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

If anyone wonders why the UK is going down hill fast; just read all the comments above.

The UK used to be a proud prosperous nation with king & queen

Now people have no pride. Very sad to read.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Ahh well just console yourself with the royal limited edition China and go have a game a polo on the lawns

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By *tar33Man
36 weeks ago

North London (outer)

"Just not right "

He's 76 years of age and she's nearly 78, both still working hard on behalf of the country.

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

[Removed by poster at 09/04/25 18:56:07]

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Tosh I am late 60’s and working 7-6 every day and also have the non disclosed Cancer

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

It's not cheap having a gold-plated head of state.

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By *tar33Man
36 weeks ago

North London (outer)

"Flying the flag...soft diplomacy..."

That's way too complicated for the OP to understand.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"Ahh well just console yourself with the royal limited edition China and go have a game a polo on the lawns "

So - you have no sensible answers to any of the points made by others above, no new ideas how they would be replaced, can’t say anything about the financing of any replacement system. Nothing.

You’re just on a silly rant. And having started a discussion in the Forum, you’re not actually interested in anything anyone else says.

END OF THREAD

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By *laireKTV/TS
36 weeks ago

Manchester

"If anyone wonders why the UK is going down hill fast; just read all the comments above.

The UK used to be a proud prosperous nation with king & queen

Now people have no pride. Very sad to read."

There's pride, just in different things.

Some place more emphasis on their religion.

We also have a lot of people born elsewhere, I'm not sure why they would resonate with our monarch.

UK is just a different place now. Maybe it's the monarchy stuck in the past.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Well no I am sorry I am not because it’s rubbish man

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By *tar33Man
36 weeks ago

North London (outer)

"Tosh I am late 60’s and working 7-6 every day and also have the non disclosed Cancer"

The King is around 12 years older than you, works a lot harder than you, and is also recovering from cancer. Unlike yourself, he spreads hope, common sense and positivity.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

We need to make the UK great again to coin a phrase BUT that is absolutely what we need to do self reliant great armed forces defence and look after our own

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By *amie1402Man
36 weeks ago

Liverpool

Well we need a head of state that’s for sure

But I think we could well do without the plethora of princes, princesses, dukes, duchesses, marquises, earls, barons, and knights

We are the only country in the world that still has the full panoply of royalty and nobility.

Medieval or what ?

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

That’s a very subjective comment as you dont have a clue what I do day to day and pay my 40% tax to pay for these royal free loaders

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By *tar33Man
36 weeks ago

North London (outer)

"That’s a very subjective comment as you dont have a clue what I do day to day and pay my 40% tax to pay for these royal free loaders"

Mate, lollipop men only work an hour a day and have school holidays off.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Yes fella that sounds like you NOT me

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Yes fella that sounds like you NOT me

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

I used to wonder what people were thinking when sat at home, turns out it's about diana and the current king...i'm so glad for all these useful forum topics to entertain my days

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Well it tells its own sorry story

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"Well we need a head of state that’s for sure

But I think we could well do without the plethora of princes, princesses, dukes, duchesses, marquises, earls, barons, and knights

We are the only country in the world that still has the full panoply of royalty and nobility.

Medieval or what ?"

A] We do need a head of state - so what’s your proposed alternative and how do we get there and find that? The OP simply refuses to engage in this. Are you going to give your thoughts?

B] Your information is factually incorrect. Where did you learn this? No country is identical to the UK - unsurprisingly. But Sweden, Belgium, Spain,

Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark… they all have a royal family and an aristocratic system of nobility and titles… That’s just in Europe that I can think of…

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By *irralblokeMan
36 weeks ago

wallasey

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take. "

Privatise the fuckers then.

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By *ames canMan
36 weeks ago

monaghan

"Free loaders words fail me and I would probably get excluded look what happened to our real Queen Diana "
...didn't she fuck off with an Arab guy and leave her kids behind...?

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By *tar33Man
36 weeks ago

North London (outer)

"That’s a very subjective comment as you dont have a clue what I do day to day and pay my 40% tax to pay for these royal free loaders"

You clearly aren't qualified to be an English teacher, or a comedian. I also hope you aren't employed as a signwriter.

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By *tagman6930Man
36 weeks ago

SW London

Put it into the context that it cost the American taxpayer about $3.4m each time he goes to Mar-a-Lago. He's done that trip 7 times already since he was inaugurated. In his first term he did that over 145 times costing $130m per year. Not counting the 300 times he visited other golf courses.

Would you prefer to fund a president or what we have, who fund a lot of themselves from their own estates, which admittedly have been got over many centuries and not earned.

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By *tagman6930Man
36 weeks ago

SW London

Post above refers of course to Trump.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

I have to disagree am very highly qualified and pay 40% tax to pay for all of this

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By *tanleybiguyMan
36 weeks ago

Stanley

No doubt a “stable genius “ a modest one at that

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"I'm not a royalist by any stretch if the imagination, however what they cost us is almost not worth talking about, they cost each and every UK citizen less than £1 each year, that's right, less than £1, or 2 x 50p pieces, 100 pennies... even I'm prepared to give em that."

These types of calculations only look at expenditure from Government and via the public purse and then divvy it up per capita of population. That’s not in any way a full cost and benefit examination.

Unless you’re going to raze all the royal palaces and properties and plough the fields with salt (although some on the thread give the impression of being minded to do that…), there will still need to be money spent on maintaining historic buildings and grounds, staffing, curating, gardening, insurance, security, etc etc etc. So the greatest component of the current public grant to the Monarchy will still need to be spent even without a Monarchy in place.

Then we come to all the income generated and in-kind benefits some of which are almost unquantifiable. Tourism, heritage, charitable connection, royal warranty, diplomatic and trade emissaries, etc etc etc. Massive income would be lost and new expenditure would be needed to replace the axed system.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Eh haw haw donkeys

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Eh haw haw donkeys

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By *tagman6930Man
36 weeks ago

SW London

"I have to disagree am very highly qualified and pay 40% tax to pay for all of this "

And if you didn't, how much less tax would you pay to save that £1 per year that went to them and that pays the salaries and wages of the staff.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Well they are all a load of hangers on that just don’t contribute sorry but it’s true

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

I never said I wanted rid of them, just that I wasn't a royalist. If those two statements somehow contradict each other then so be it lol. All I said was that in effect they cost us bugger all.

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By *astguy7Man
36 weeks ago

Ross-on-Wye

In fairness, they were sat in front of me on a National Express coach on the way yo Luton Airport.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"So anyone who believes the current monarchy works for the UK they just work for themselves it’s just so wrong and needs change "

The OP titled the thread “King and Queen in Italy on taxpayer money”. Can the OP explain why his alternative to the king and queen (steadfastly unelaborated) would be funded to visit Italy WITHOUT taxpayer money? Who’s going to fund an international trip on behalf of the UK people if not the UK people..?!

I’m genuinely very confused. This is senseless.

I’m also genuinely very surprised that so many grown men contributing to these threads have zero ability to debate or understand the implications of what they churn out.

“Privatise the fuckers” - OK… Means what? Replaced with what? Where’s the money coming from?

This is reasoning below the rationale expected of Year 4 KS2 primary school… ie 8-9 year olds.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"I have to disagree am very highly qualified and pay 40% tax to pay for all of this "

With your very high qualifications, and having paid so much tax over so long a period to fund them whilst all the time appalled by what you see as their freeloading, you will surely be able to explain what replaces them and how, if you got your wish and they were removed.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

The purpose of their visit was to celebrate their anniversary 20th? Funded by the UK tax payers well those that pay their taxes and so for what purpose other than their own just seems so wrong

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By *anDadBodMan
36 weeks ago

Speke

As the old saying goes, if you don’t like the way things are done in this country, just fuck off and live somewhere else 👍🏻😂

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Forever England

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By *0yguyMan
36 weeks ago

Cumberland

"The purpose of their visit was to celebrate their anniversary 20th? Funded by the UK tax payers well those that pay their taxes and so for what purpose other than their own just seems so wrong"

I have no problem with this….. except the government didn’t pay for me to celebrate my 20th anniversary.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"The purpose of their visit was to celebrate their anniversary 20th? Funded by the UK tax payers well those that pay their taxes and so for what purpose other than their own just seems so wrong"

Where do you get your news and information from?!?!

The visit coincides with their 20th anniversary. They’re not going to Magaluf for a piss-up.

Do you think they are meeting nobody in Italy?! Making no visits?! Doing nothing?!

Do you think that Charles is swigging from an absinthe bottle whilst Camilla sticks it up her lulu..?

A quick 30 seconds on that interwebby thing:

“King Charles is set to become the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian Parliament during his first overseas trip in 2025”

“On Wednesday, King Charles will meet with Italian Prime Minister before visiting a round table, chaired by the UK’s foreign secretary, on “Clean Energy Supply Chains.”

“The King and Queen will also attend a reception marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the province of Ravenna by Allied Forces, including British and Canadian forces, during the Second World War.”

[That would be in support of the armed forces something you were making a big thing of above…]

I’d like to think that this thread and all your OTT posts here are an obvious wind-up, but I have this real apprehension you could actually be this simple… 😶

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"The purpose of their visit was to celebrate their anniversary 20th? Funded by the UK tax payers well those that pay their taxes and so for what purpose other than their own just seems so wrong

I have no problem with this….. except the government didn’t pay for me to celebrate my 20th anniversary."

Did you address the Italian Parliament on your 20th anniversary..? They are not being paid to celebrate their anniversary.

Please don’t read another poster and take what they say at face value without checking. That goes for me, the OP or anyone on here. 🙄

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Yes simple man living in Hayes and Hillingdon not Windsor and paying 40% taxes

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

Hope they spend a fortune on free food and flights , better than the fortunes we pay for illegals in this country, I love having a royal family

Suck it up buttercup xx

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Oh man what happens in Hayes and Hillingdon that you don’t understand

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By *lue555Man
36 weeks ago

harrow

If you’re not happy with King Charles copy Harry’s lead & move to America.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"Oh man what happens in Hayes and Hillingdon that you don’t understand "

What does this even mean?!

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Ahh harrow what good do they do?

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"Yes simple man living in Hayes and Hillingdon not Windsor and paying 40% taxes "

???

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Well if you don’t know better leave

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By *tar33Man
36 weeks ago

North London (outer)

"Ahh harrow what good do they do?"

Along with many other things, you really need to work out how to use 'reply +quote'. It's actually quite simple, for most of us that is.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"Ahh harrow what good do they do?"

This actually sounds like a line from The Merchant of Venice. That old adage about chimps and typewriters is proven to be true…

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By *lue555Man
36 weeks ago

harrow

"Ahh harrow what good do they do?"

They educated are greatest leader Winston Churchill.

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By *ow Ya Doin OP Man
36 weeks ago

Fleet

Ahh Simple’s Shakespeare Harrow on de Hill I am so stupid I am only simple sole from England in fact West London who knows nothing ho ho

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By *amie1402Man
36 weeks ago

Liverpool

"Well we need a head of state that’s for sure

But I think we could well do without the plethora of princes, princesses, dukes, duchesses, marquises, earls, barons, and knights

We are the only country in the world that still has the full panoply of royalty and nobility.

Medieval or what ?

A] We do need a head of state - so what’s your proposed alternative and how do we get there and find that? The OP simply refuses to engage in this. Are you going to give your thoughts?

B] Your information is factually incorrect. Where did you learn this? No country is identical to the UK - unsurprisingly. But Sweden, Belgium, Spain,

Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark… they all have a royal family and an aristocratic system of nobility and titles… That’s just in Europe that I can think of… "

These are all slimned down ‘bicycling’ monarchies with few nobility

Do they have dukes and earls and knights in Sweden and Spain and Belgium etc ? - of course not.

All confined to the dustbin of history with only the immediate royal family as head of state.

Sure we could live with that.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"Well we need a head of state that’s for sure

But I think we could well do without the plethora of princes, princesses, dukes, duchesses, marquises, earls, barons, and knights

We are the only country in the world that still has the full panoply of royalty and nobility.

Medieval or what ?

A] We do need a head of state - so what’s your proposed alternative and how do we get there and find that? The OP simply refuses to engage in this. Are you going to give your thoughts?

B] Your information is factually incorrect. Where did you learn this? No country is identical to the UK - unsurprisingly. But Sweden, Belgium, Spain,

Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark… they all have a royal family and an aristocratic system of nobility and titles… That’s just in Europe that I can think of…

These are all slimned down ‘bicycling’ monarchies with few nobility

Do they have dukes and earls and knights in Sweden and Spain and Belgium etc ? - of course not.

All confined to the dustbin of history with only the immediate royal family as head of state.

Sure we could live with that. "

A quick look at an encyclopaedia or Wikipedia can tell you about current duchies in Sweden or the Grandes de España or Dukes in Belgium if you actually wanted to learn more. But clearly you are just trying to sledgehammer a point of view, so facts are irrelevant. You made statements which are inaccurate and continue to be. That’s what I’m pointing out to you. Your arguments about the medievalism of these systems are your own and you are perfectly entitled to them. But what’s actually the problem? What’s the harm you feel they do? Outside of the Ducal positions in the royal family, what taxpayer income do you think the Duke of Bobbinshire receives?

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By *ildwestheroMan
36 weeks ago

Llandrindod Wells

"It's not cheap having a gold-plated head of state.

Not cheap having a president elected by less than half the electorate either. And just look at some of the presidents around the world. The tin-pot dictators in Africa and Asia. Even the big-hitters like Trump, Putin and Macron leave a lot to be desired.

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

It's good of Mr How ya doin to include a photo of what he talks out of on his profile.

Just because you pay tax doesn't make you a special case. The royals pay tax too.

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By *3versMan
36 weeks ago

glasgow

"No sorry this the monarchy is totally wrong for the Uk today

Republicans can never answer the following questions:

- If not the monarchy, who would be our head of state?

- How would that person be chosen?

- How much money would be spent on elections presumably on an ongoing basis thereafter?

- How much would be spent on campaigning?

- What salary would the new position entail?

- Where would the new person be living?

- What monies and staffing would be needed for the upkeep of previously royal estates and travel and hospitality and all aspects of their expenses overseeing the remit of their position?

- What would replace the huge loss of income especially foreign from the tourism and heritage aspects of the Monarchy?

- What would replace the funds lost to charities by their previously royal connections?

- What would replace the funds lost to businesses and retainers and goods with previously royal associations and the Royal warranties?

I’m about to turn 55 soon and I’ve never once heard a serious attempt to answer these things in my life. Just whining they are rich and outdated and privileged. And… next..?

Stacey Solomon - 'nuff said

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By *over40Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take. "

Peter,,wash your mouth out and repent!

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

"Yes simple man living in Hayes and Hillingdon not Windsor and paying 40% taxes "

But you're only paying 40% tax on anything above the Base rate maximum. Same position as me and any other person who is paying the 40% rate. What makes your opinion more viable than theirs?

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By *over40Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

"It's not cheap having a gold-plated head of state.

The Royals have mostly been a disreputable bunch. In recent times we havecthe high profile Oribce Abdrew but if the gloves were off, I feel summer that a free press would have found more dirt

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By *ogwhammerMan
36 weeks ago

Rainham KENT

We should have ended the Monarchy when the queen died

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By *ookingFor...Man
36 weeks ago

West Sussex

"His the head of state ,if we had a president would be the same .

It's what happens "

This...

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By *ookingFor...Man
36 weeks ago

West Sussex

"We should have ended the Monarchy when the queen died"

And replaced it with?

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

"If anyone wonders why the UK is going down hill fast; just read all the comments above.

The UK used to be a proud prosperous nation with king & queen

Now people have no pride. Very sad to read.

There's pride, just in different things.

Some place more emphasis on their religion.

We also have a lot of people born elsewhere, I'm not sure why they would resonate with our monarch.

UK is just a different place now. Maybe it's the monarchy stuck in the past.

Maybe that’s true but we would still need some sort of figurehead representing the country and all the costs and expenses that go with it.

Inconvenient truth that the half wits can’t begin to address.

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

There's an unwritten rule that enables the Windsor family to retain their priveleges as the unelected head of state:

- Keep the public (and the red-tops) entertained, and you can keep your baubles and titles.

They endure by virtue of their public relations. Old queenie was a master at it.

Charles is a little soiled by his history with Diana and Camilla, but so long as he keeps his gob shut and doesn't scare the horses he'll be fine.

I was surprised to see football fan William do an interview as a celebrity fan of Aston Villa in Paris on TNT last night - it revealed him to be just an ordinary bloke.

Queenie's biggest mistake was to do a fly-on-the-wall TV documentary about the royal family in the 1970s. It removed the air of mystique around royalty and showed them to be just another squabbling family, albeit one with posh accents.

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

She forbid the BBC from ever showing it again. It's probably on You Tube though

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By *nchsolentMan
36 weeks ago

Fareham

It's called soft power, the foreign secretary is out there as well. It's about building good relationships. The king is neutral when it comes to politics better than having an elected president, look on the bright side we could have something like trump!

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By *lue555Man
36 weeks ago

harrow

The op seems confused on what the king does compared to the pm not the same job.

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By *raig_KJMan
36 weeks ago

Southport

The Elected Regional Mayor in Liverpool City Region gave himself a 26% rise this year.

Think how much a President would cost.

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By *laireKTV/TS
36 weeks ago

Manchester

Look, if we want to give some bloke and his army of hanger oners tax money then just do it.

But don't pretend it's about that soft power bollocks.

We do far more to undermine any trace of soft power than boost it.

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By *liceCDTV/TS
36 weeks ago

Hatfield

"No sorry this the monarchy is totally wrong for the Uk today "

Your not forced to stay in Great Britain why not bugger of to putins world or irans lunacy

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By *raig_KJMan
36 weeks ago

Southport

"No sorry this the monarchy is totally wrong for the Uk today

Your not forced to stay in Great Britain why not bugger of to putins world or irans lunacy "

They would be back on a rubber boat in no time.

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By *amie1402Man
36 weeks ago

Liverpool

"Well we need a head of state that’s for sure

But I think we could well do without the plethora of princes, princesses, dukes, duchesses, marquises, earls, barons, and knights

We are the only country in the world that still has the full panoply of royalty and nobility.

Medieval or what ?

A] We do need a head of state - so what’s your proposed alternative and how do we get there and find that? The OP simply refuses to engage in this. Are you going to give your thoughts?

B] Your information is factually incorrect. Where did you learn this? No country is identical to the UK - unsurprisingly. But Sweden, Belgium, Spain,

Luxembourg, Netherlands, Denmark… they all have a royal family and an aristocratic system of nobility and titles… That’s just in Europe that I can think of…

These are all slimned down ‘bicycling’ monarchies with few nobility

Do they have dukes and earls and knights in Sweden and Spain and Belgium etc ? - of course not.

All confined to the dustbin of history with only the immediate royal family as head of state.

Sure we could live with that.

They are just relic titles without any power

They don’t have any function in government or recognition by the state as they do here.

Do they have a House of Lords in Belgium ?

I’m sure they don’t.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" … A quick look at an encyclopaedia or Wikipedia can tell you about current duchies in Sweden or the Grandes de España or Dukes in Belgium if you actually wanted to learn more. But clearly you are just trying to sledgehammer a point of view, so facts are irrelevant. You made statements which are inaccurate and continue to be. That’s what I’m pointing out to you. Your arguments about the medievalism of these systems are your own and you are perfectly entitled to them. But what’s actually the problem? What’s the harm you feel they do? Outside of the Ducal positions in the royal family, what taxpayer income do you think the Duke of Bobbinshire receives?

They are just relic titles without any power

They don’t have any function in government or recognition by the state as they do here.

Do they have a House of Lords in Belgium ?

I’m sure they don’t. … "

Of course overseas peers have recognition by their states!

Right… so your beef is actually with the second chamber in the UK and those entitled to sit just by their position? Well the current Govt has reduced even further the amount of hereditary peers eligible to attend the HofL and at the start of the current parliamentary session I understand the number was just 88 hereditary peers (out of a permissible 92). I think a few of those have dropped off their perches. It’s expected the number of hereditaries will be reduced further still in the next stage of the review. This will very soon be a non-issue anyway.

Where does having a few hereditary peers with ever-waning powers fit into the taxpayer funding of an international visit..?

Let’s say we strip away all peerages and royal titles. Lock them up! Who’s going to represent us as a head of state and what’s the funding structure to replace the previous system? I haven’t heard that bit from you yet.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"Look, if we want to give some bloke and his army of hanger oners tax money then just do it.

But don't pretend it's about that soft power bollocks.

We do far more to undermine any trace of soft power than boost it.

Let’s get rid of “some bloke and his army of hangers on”!

What are you replacing them with, how will it be funded, and how will you replicate all the functions of the existing system? I haven’t heard that bit from you yet.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"We should have ended the Monarchy when the queen died"

Let’s say we should have ended the Monarchy after the death of QE2!

What are you replacing them with, how will it be funded, and how will you replicate all the functions of the existing system? I haven’t heard that bit from you yet.

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By *horts GuyMan
36 weeks ago

Hove

Just get rid of them. We can have a president. Elected.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" … The Royals have mostly been a disreputable bunch. In recent times we havecthe high profile Oribce Abdrew but if the gloves were off, I feel summer that a free press would have found more dirt … "

Let’s get rid of this disreputable bunch! Lock Andrew up!

What are you replacing them with, how will it be funded, and how will you replicate all the functions of the existing system? I haven’t heard that bit from you yet.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"Just get rid of them. We can have a president. Elected. "

That’s a clear stated view.

So I ask again:

- How much money would be spent on elections presumably on an ongoing basis thereafter?

- How much would be spent on campaigning?

- What salary would the new position entail?

- Where would the new person be living?

- What monies and staffing would be needed for the upkeep of previously royal estates and travel and hospitality and all aspects of their expenses overseeing the remit of their position?

- What would replace the huge loss of income especially foreign from the tourism and heritage aspects of the Monarchy?

- What would replace the funds lost to charities by their previously royal connections?

- What would replace the funds lost to businesses and retainers and goods with previously royal associations and the Royal warranties?

Is your premise that it would cost exactly the same as it does now, and a president perform all the same function as royalty (somehow..?!) but that it would just be an elected not a hereditary position? That’s change enough for you..?

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By *amie1402Man
36 weeks ago

Liverpool

They are just relic titles without any power

They don’t have any function in government or recognition by the state as they do here.

Do they have a House of Lords in Belgium ?

I’m sure they don’t. …

Of course overseas peers have recognition by their states!

Where does having a few hereditary peers with ever-waning powers fit into the taxpayer funding of an international visit..?

The king of course !

You’ve not been reading.

I have no problem with the king as head of state plus his immediate family.

As the other European monarchies do.

It’s all the others on the Civil List with grace and favour residences that should go

Plus the plethora of royal residences.

Not to mention ermine coated Lords and golden Coronatin carriages and regiments of fancy-dress soldiers to guard the monarch ?

Do they have Beefeaters in Belgium ?

Do the Belgian taxpayers have to pay for Household Cavalry ?

Not to mention a golden barge

Nor a Keeper of the Royal Swans

Nor a Tower of London gaoler where no prisoner has been kept since 1951

Let him have just one palace.

And well maybe a country cottage too.

As is much the case in Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark etc etc

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" …

The king of course !

You’ve not been reading.

I have no problem with the king as head of state plus his immediate family.

As the other European monarchies do.

It’s all the others on the Civil List with grace and favour residences that should go

Plus the plethora of royal residences.

Not to mention ermine coated Lords and golden Coronatin carriages and regiments of fancy-dress soldiers to guard the monarch ?

Do they have Beefeaters in Belgium ?

Do the Belgian taxpayers have to pay for Household Cavalry ?

Not to mention a golden barge

Nor a Keeper of the Royal Swans

Nor a Tower of London gaoler where no prisoner has been kept since 1951

Let him have just one palace.

And well maybe a country cottage too.

As is much the case in Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark etc etc …

OK - so we get rid of all that you list here.

Kinky gets one royal residence and a bungalow on weekends. All the other palaces and residences and passed to… who? Rachel Reeves…?

- What monies and staffing would be needed for the upkeep of previously royal estates and residences? Who would oversee this? Who would be using them? How would it work?

- What would replace the huge loss of income especially foreign from the tourism and heritage aspects of the Monarchy?

- What would replace the funds lost to charities by their previously royal connections?

- What would replace the funds lost to businesses and retainers and goods with previously royal associations and the Royal warranties?

Do you think your new “bicycling royalty” model for the UK will overall cost us more or less..? You certainly can’t think it will generate the current level of income.

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By *mbatmanMan
36 weeks ago

west end, southampton

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take. "

Do they really? From what I can tell from there are 2 main sources of income for us from them.

1st is the tax they pay on their business, which they would still do if not king and queen/head of state anyway.

2nd is tourism which lets face it the vast majority is driven by the history of the monarchy and the landmarks not through people expecting to see them two.

There would be a massive 3rd from them if they weren’t king and queen and that would be in inheritance tax.

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By *amie1402Man
36 weeks ago

Liverpool

" …

The king of course !

You’ve not been reading.

I have no problem with the king as head of state plus his immediate family.

As the other European monarchies do.

It’s all the others on the Civil List with grace and favour residences that should go

Plus the plethora of royal residences.

Not to mention ermine coated Lords and golden Coronatin carriages and regiments of fancy-dress soldiers to guard the monarch ?

Do they have Beefeaters in Belgium ?

Do the Belgian taxpayers have to pay for Household Cavalry ?

Not to mention a golden barge

Nor a Keeper of the Royal Swans

Nor a Tower of London gaoler where no prisoner has been kept since 1951

Let him have just one palace.

And well maybe a country cottage too.

As is much the case in Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark etc etc …

OK - so we get rid of all that you list here.

Kinky gets one royal residence and a bungalow on weekends. All the other palaces and residences and passed to… who? Rachel Reeves…?

- What monies and staffing would be needed for the upkeep of previously royal estates and residences? Who would oversee this? Who would be using them? How would it work?

- What would replace the huge loss of income especially foreign from the tourism and heritage aspects of the Monarchy?

- What would replace the funds lost to charities by their previously royal connections?

- What would replace the funds lost to businesses and retainers and goods with previously royal associations and the Royal warranties?

Do you think your new “bicycling royalty” model for the UK will overall cost us more or less..? You certainly can’t think it will generate the current level of income. "

Seems to work fine for the people of Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, etc who are all doing better than us in many ways, without alm that useless pageantry that we all pay for.

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By *mbatmanMan
36 weeks ago

west end, southampton

"Just get rid of them. We can have a president. Elected.

That’s a clear stated view.

So I ask again:

- How much money would be spent on elections presumably on an ongoing basis thereafter?

- How much would be spent on campaigning?

- What salary would the new position entail?

- Where would the new person be living?

- What monies and staffing would be needed for the upkeep of previously royal estates and travel and hospitality and all aspects of their expenses overseeing the remit of their position?

- What would replace the huge loss of income especially foreign from the tourism and heritage aspects of the Monarchy?

- What would replace the funds lost to charities by their previously royal connections?

- What would replace the funds lost to businesses and retainers and goods with previously royal associations and the Royal warranties?

Why can’t the head of state be a group of elected normal people. They live in their own houses and do the current jobs. We could give them 100k a year plus some travel expenses.

Why can’t the head of state be the elected PM

Do we even need a head of state as the majority of that work is already done by parliament, all the king really does is royal visits. Is that needed?

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By *0thirtyMan
36 weeks ago

Redhill

They went there on a secret mission - following a lead - to see if they could find Chloe ! They failed . The hunt continues …

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take.

Do they really? From what I can tell from there are 2 main sources of income for us from them.

1st is the tax they pay on their business, which they would still do if not king and queen/head of state anyway.

2nd is tourism which lets face it the vast majority is driven by the history of the monarchy and the landmarks not through people expecting to see them two.

There would be a massive 3rd from them if they weren’t king and queen and that would be in inheritance tax."

Ermm…

Do you think the cessation of the crown might just have a dampening effect on the tourism and heritage industry…?

Inheritance tax… Who do you think actually owns the crown estate..? With the cessation of the crown, why would Charles and Camilla pay for things they don’t own..?!

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By *L bi bottomMan
36 weeks ago

nr Livingston.

The easiest way to decide this matter is to have a referendum . In Scotland only 27% of the population want a monarchy so why do we have it in a so called democracy.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" …

Seems to work fine for the people of Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, etc who are all doing better than us in many ways, without alm that useless pageantry that we all pay for… "

Pageantry is useless. OK. It clearly must generate zero income. 🙄

The royal heritage industry in Belgium and the UK are easily comparable. 🙄

Your plan would generate an enormous ongoing financial shock.

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By *mbatmanMan
36 weeks ago

west end, southampton

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take.

Do they really? From what I can tell from there are 2 main sources of income for us from them.

1st is the tax they pay on their business, which they would still do if not king and queen/head of state anyway.

2nd is tourism which lets face it the vast majority is driven by the history of the monarchy and the landmarks not through people expecting to see them two.

There would be a massive 3rd from them if they weren’t king and queen and that would be in inheritance tax.

Ermm…

Do you think the cessation of the crown might just have a dampening effect on the tourism and heritage industry…?

Inheritance tax… Who do you think actually owns the crown estate..? With the cessation of the crown, why would Charles and Camilla pay for things they don’t own..?!"

No not majorly.

It is a fact they inherited a £10billion estate and paid no tax, any other person would be made to pay it.

This family have a fortune of wealth worth more then 90% of the world population combined. Yet still take from the poor to pay for their buildings their trips their security etc etc, whilst sitting on all that wealth.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" … Why can’t the head of state be a group of elected normal people. They live in their own houses and do the current jobs. We could give them 100k a year plus some travel expenses.

Why can’t the head of state be the elected PM

Do we even need a head of state as the majority of that work is already done by parliament, all the king really does is royal visits. Is that needed? … "

Well it would be an interesting egalitarian experiment, Citizen Robespierre… I think there may be a few teensy-weensy flaws.

Define normal or normalcy. Have you ever known anyone seeking election who was “normal”?

“It’s time for the British state visit, Prince Al-WhatsApps…” “Am I entertaining His Majesty, Charles?” “No, today it’s Mrs Muggins from 72 Acacia Avenue. Shall I show her in for her audience?” “No…”

“All the king really does is royal visits”. Well, if you actually think that’s the only thing they do and their only function to us, then I suppose it’s easy to imagine life without them.

We could copy countries that don’t have a separate head of state to the head of government. They tend to be dictatorships and theocracies…

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take.

Do they really? From what I can tell from there are 2 main sources of income for us from them.

1st is the tax they pay on their business, which they would still do if not king and queen/head of state anyway.

2nd is tourism which lets face it the vast majority is driven by the history of the monarchy and the landmarks not through people expecting to see them two.

There would be a massive 3rd from them if they weren’t king and queen and that would be in inheritance tax.

Ermm…

Do you think the cessation of the crown might just have a dampening effect on the tourism and heritage industry…?

Inheritance tax… Who do you think actually owns the crown estate..? With the cessation of the crown, why would Charles and Camilla pay for things they don’t own..?!

No not majorly.

It is a fact they inherited a £10billion estate and paid no tax, any other person would be made to pay it.

You really don’t understand. The King does not own Buckingham Palace. You do know this? With the cessation of the crown, there will be no inheritance. No use of the crown estate. So no new lovely inheritance tax from these awful richos. By some act of Parliament, presumably the one bringing in the abolition of the Monarchy, the crown estates would stop being provided for the use of a monarch and simply revert back to the people who currently own them now - us. So instead of bunging money to the royal family to look after them - politicians would be in charge of their upkeep. (Eeek) With far less income generated by the royal heritage and tourism industry. Where is all this lovely tax coming from..?!

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By *mbatmanMan
36 weeks ago

west end, southampton

" … Why can’t the head of state be a group of elected normal people. They live in their own houses and do the current jobs. We could give them 100k a year plus some travel expenses.

Why can’t the head of state be the elected PM

Do we even need a head of state as the majority of that work is already done by parliament, all the king really does is royal visits. Is that needed? …

Well it would be an interesting egalitarian experiment, Citizen Robespierre… I think there may be a few teensy-weensy flaws.

Define normal or normalcy. Have you ever known anyone seeking election who was “normal”?

“All the king really does is royal visits”. Well, if you actually think that’s the only thing they do and their only function to us, then I suppose it’s easy to imagine life without them.

We could copy countries that don’t have a separate head of state to the head of government. They tend to be dictatorships and theocracies…"

Then enlighten me what are the main duties of a head of state why can’t mrs huggins do it? And do we really even need head of states across the world with elected parliaments?

And there are very few countries with a dictatorship, and even less countries with a monarchy as their head of state.

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By *mbatmanMan
36 weeks ago

west end, southampton

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take.

Do they really? From what I can tell from there are 2 main sources of income for us from them.

1st is the tax they pay on their business, which they would still do if not king and queen/head of state anyway.

2nd is tourism which lets face it the vast majority is driven by the history of the monarchy and the landmarks not through people expecting to see them two.

There would be a massive 3rd from them if they weren’t king and queen and that would be in inheritance tax.

Ermm…

Do you think the cessation of the crown might just have a dampening effect on the tourism and heritage industry…?

Inheritance tax… Who do you think actually owns the crown estate..? With the cessation of the crown, why would Charles and Camilla pay for things they don’t own..?!

No not majorly.

It is a fact they inherited a £10billion estate and paid no tax, any other person would be made to pay it.

If it not theirs and it’s ours then why do we not have a say in whats done with it all. We could sell it of for billions, to people that would turn them into attractions and businesses and make billions from the tourism and pay their own up keep on them and pay tax on the profits they make.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"The easiest way to decide this matter is to have a referendum . In Scotland only 27% of the population want a monarchy so why do we have it in a so called democracy."

This is an entirely logical position.

Have you given thought to what would happen if some components of the UK voted to abolish the Monarchy but others did not? How would this work out..?

We had an important referendum on a constitutional matter in 2016. A common point of view is that worryingly insufficient focus was placed on how things would work if we left the EU and exactly what would follow.

Do you think, if we’ve learnt anything at all (…), we might need some proper discussion about a replacement system and a proper understanding of ALL the financial consequences?

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" … And there are very few countries with a dictatorship, and even less countries with a monarchy as their head of state... "

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/autocratic-countries

As of 2022, the organization Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) classified approximately 88 of the world's countries as autocracies, home to 70% of the world's people…

There are just over 40 countries that have a Monarchy as head of state.

No country is found in both groups above.

Sorry to bore you with facts.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" … If it not theirs and it’s ours then why do we not have a say in whats done with it all. We could sell it of for billions, to people that would turn them into attractions and businesses and make billions from the tourism and pay their own up keep on them and pay tax on the profits they make... "

You’d be entirely happy for the UK Government to sell off Buckingham Palace and all other residences to immensely rich Arab princes and Chinese billionaires to keep as a private residences, provided they paid their taxes? You don’t think the UK people might be sort of missing out on something…?

You think the UK tourism industry will get a major boon from someone turning Balmoral into a giant flume-park and Windsor becoming BlobbyWorld II…? You think these will generate more income…?

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

Then enlighten me what are the main duties of a head of state why can’t mrs huggins do it? And do we really even need head of states across the world with elected parliaments?

. "

As much as it stresses me to be bs so old, I think I'd make a super queen

Your Crown Jewels will be safe in my hands

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

"If anyone wonders why the UK is going down hill fast; just read all the comments above.

The UK used to be a proud prosperous nation with king & queen

Now people have no pride. Very sad to read.

There's pride, just in different things.

Some place more emphasis on their religion.

We also have a lot of people born elsewhere, I'm not sure why they would resonate with our monarch.

UK is just a different place now. Maybe it's the monarchy stuck in the past.

Born elsewhere maybe, but most still part of the commonwealth;

The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent countries, almost all of which were formerly under British rule. The origins of the Commonwealth come from Britain's former Empire.

Also remember our Army and Armed forces fight for King and Country

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By *amie1402Man
36 weeks ago

Liverpool

" …

Seems to work fine for the people of Spain, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, etc who are all doing better than us in many ways, without alm that useless pageantry that we all pay for…

Pageantry is useless. OK. It clearly must generate zero income. 🙄

The royal heritage industry in Belgium and the UK are easily comparable. 🙄

Your plan would generate an enormous ongoing financial shock. "

It’s ok if you like living in a museum then so long as it brings the tourists in

Downside is we have been hidebound by the trappings of an empire that has long since gone

Outdated 19th century attitudes have contributed to the poor performance of British business and industry since the war.

Other countries have modernised and surged ahead of us.

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By *mbatmanMan
36 weeks ago

west end, southampton

" … And there are very few countries with a dictatorship, and even less countries with a monarchy as their head of state...

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/autocratic-countries

As of 2022, the organization Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) classified approximately 88 of the world's countries as autocracies, home to 70% of the world's people…

There are just over 40 countries that have a Monarchy as head of state.

No country is found in both groups above.

Sorry to bore you with facts. "

58 countries under a dictatorship

43 countries that have monarch as head of state

Which is what i said.

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By *mbatmanMan
36 weeks ago

west end, southampton

Then enlighten me what are the main duties of a head of state why can’t mrs huggins do it? And do we really even need head of states across the world with elected parliaments?

As much as it stresses me to be bs so old, I think I'd make a super queen

Your Crown Jewels will be safe in my hands

Id much rather you do it then them

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By *mbatmanMan
36 weeks ago

west end, southampton

You think the UK tourism industry will get a major boon from someone turning Balmoral into a giant flume-park and Windsor becoming BlobbyWorld II…? You think these will generate more income…?"

I would much rather that the people we choose to elect manage it and sell it off to whoever if it generates money, rather then it be passed down by birth right to one family for the rest of time.

But thats the point right if it is ours why isn’t the people we elect managing it, is it because its theirs and not ours?

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" …It’s ok if you like living in a museum then so long as it brings the tourists in

Downside is we have been hidebound by the trappings of an empire that has long since gone

Outdated 19th century attitudes have contributed to the poor performance of British business and industry since the war.

Other countries have modernised

and surged ahead of us… "

This reads like a junior submission to Marxism Today. I mean, seriously…

You often hear this at the CBI:

“Why do you think UK stock bond yields are down this week, Evans? Is it the rise in corporation tax or the increase in employers’ national insurance contributions that is starting to have an effect?”

“It’s the trappings of Empire, sir.”

“Oh, of course.”

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

" …It’s ok if you like living in a museum then so long as it brings the tourists in

Downside is we have been hidebound by the trappings of an empire that has long since gone

Outdated 19th century attitudes have contributed to the poor performance of British business and industry since the war.

Other countries have modernised

and surged ahead of us…

This reads like a junior submission to Marxism Today. I mean, seriously…

You often hear this at the CBI:

“It’s the trappings of Empire, sir.”

“Oh, of course.”"

Their is a certain logic to that.

Having a monarchy does bake in subconsciously that their are "betters" a higher order.

It's the rich man at his castle and poor man at the gate thing.

It's not high on my list of things to do, but it certainly needs modernising.

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By *amie1402Man
36 weeks ago

Liverpool

" …It’s ok if you like living in a museum then so long as it brings the tourists in

Downside is we have been hidebound by the trappings of an empire that has long since gone

Outdated 19th century attitudes have contributed to the poor performance of British business and industry since the war.

Other countries have modernised

and surged ahead of us…

This reads like a junior submission to Marxism Today. I mean, seriously…

You often hear this at the CBI:

“It’s the trappings of Empire, sir.”

“Oh, of course.”"

Seems all you can do is sneer.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

" …It’s ok if you like living in a museum then so long as it brings the tourists in

Downside is we have been hidebound by the trappings of an empire that has long since gone

Outdated 19th century attitudes have contributed to the poor performance of British business and industry since the war.

Other countries have modernised

and surged ahead of us…

This reads like a junior submission to Marxism Today. I mean, seriously…

You often hear this at the CBI:

“It’s the trappings of Empire, sir.”

“Oh, of course.”

Seems all you can do is sneer. "

I’m reading great sweeping and heavily prejudicial statements with zero evidence to back them up. So I am sorry if my scorn is very obvious.

“Outdated 19th century attitudes have contributed to the poor performance of British business and industry since the war.”

Can you evidence this grand assertion? Please tell us more how removing all hereditary peers and slimming down the royal family to what you described above is suddenly going to bring about this huge sea-change you want to see. Do you really think the average man in the street believes we are grappling with outdated 19th century attitudes and not the untamed effects of a globalised world and poor leadership? Please describe how you think our last 80 years of industrial malaise is really the trappings of Empire and not political failures?

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

God save the king

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

The anachronism is firmly embedded in -the reaction to Liz's death- and it's difficult to see the end of monarchy anytime soon. The only real wobble in my lifetime was in the days following Diana's death.

The majority are content to absorb the anachronism and those of us who aren't subjects aren't giving the issue that much thought I suspect.

The issue I always had growing up was the blood Elizabeth the Second had on her hands as a result of the murderous ways of her British Army in Ireland and Iraq.

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By *ffsideMan
36 weeks ago

liverpool

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take. "

Multi billionaire needs money..wtf

Spend his own money.

Look around u at the world we live in

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By *ew trixTV/TS
36 weeks ago

doncaster

She’s not the queen and never will be , she’s an adulteress and marriage wrecker

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

Camilla's bunions. Any word Shadesy?

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By *adBod1986Man
36 weeks ago

Runcorn

"Free loaders words fail me and I would probably get excluded look what happened to our real Queen Diana "

She was never 'my' queen any more than the rest of the bunch. Doe-eyed slapper who courted the media when it suited her.

Fuck them all, hypocritical scroungers.

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

"She’s not the queen and never will be , she’s an adulteress and marriage wrecker "

...

It takes two to tango. Nobody forced Chaz to message Camilla the erotic masterpiece that was the tampon chat.

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By *ocbigMan
36 weeks ago

Birmingham

"Free loaders words fail me and I would probably get excluded look what happened to our real Queen Diana "

Huh?

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By *ocbigMan
36 weeks ago

Birmingham

"He should follow his courageous son and try to go self-reliant with a pod-cast and jam making business.

"
.

Whilst still moaning that the state should pay for more security…once a benefit fraudster, always a …

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

"She’s not the queen and never will be , she’s an adulteress and marriage wrecker "

That rules me out then

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

"If anyone wonders why the UK is going down hill fast; just read all the comments above.

The UK used to be a proud prosperous nation with king & queen

Now people have no pride. Very sad to read."

...

People have pride in many many things. Those who tend their gardens have pride in the work they put in.

Those who do charitable works in their local communities feel pride in what they do.

The pride of those who work in the NHS....

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By *annyDanielleMan
36 weeks ago

Street, Somerset

It's part of their job description, they're great ambassadors for this country and it's only fair that they get paid for it just like doctors, the police, politicians etc.

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By *hades 11Man
36 weeks ago

ireland

"Camilla's bunions. Any word Shadesy?"

No word at the minute though i believe the next Royal tour is being sponsored by Voltaren.

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By *ickSeekerMan
36 weeks ago

Canterbury

'Soft' diplomacy can work wonders for good relations between countries. And quite frankly looking at the répertoire of the rather lacklustre elected office-holders🙄, and the fact this country doesn't have pandas 🐼🐼 to send out, well, tax-payer money well invested, methinks.

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By *ezzadMan
36 weeks ago

Nottingham

Better Charlie than some stupid president

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

"Camilla's bunions. Any word Shadesy?

No word at the minute though i believe the next Royal tour is being sponsored by Voltaren."

....

.......

...

.....

A smart move by both parties. I think Peter had been keen for the Nun to sponsor it but the fact it's popular with the Tims was an issue...

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By *r DimpsMan
36 weeks ago

hull

The amount of money that comes into this country because of our rich history, which the royals are a massive part of, love it hate it, is beyond belief.

Better than having a Trump retard every day of the week.

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

Would the UK Economy collapse without a Royal Family?

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By *annyDanielleMan
36 weeks ago

Street, Somerset

"Would the UK Economy collapse without a Royal Family? "

Probably not but it would suffer and it's suffering enough already.

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

£1.8billion the annual contribution..

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By *laireKTV/TS
36 weeks ago

Manchester

The country aspect and soft power is overplayed imo.

When I worked for a huge American company your loyalty was to the company.

If that requires jobs to move between countries, then so be it.

A lot more corporations are in that position now.

Amazon makes a lot of money from Europe but books much of it's profits through a single state. National allegiance means little.

I don't really expect Charles and Camilla to understand these things.

They are insulated from all of this via privilege.

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

Would I be right in saying the royal family are amongst the largest land owners in the UK.

They don't pay any income tax.

And they have certain legally protected rights only available to them as birth right.

Yes I am Irish, of course royalty is lost on me.

I can see both sides piont of view but I can never get past the fact that the class system operated in the UK essentially prohibits people from being equal.

The house of Lords.

All the royal ranks.

I find it a bit odd that people would like to keep it.

Up the Republic!!!!

Give us back our spuds!!!!

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

Yes.

They are a very rich, land-owning aristocratic family in their own right.

Parliament grants them the the right to perform the duties of our head of state.

The head of states has various exemptions from the laws that apply to everyone else.

What Parliament giveth, Parliament can take awayeth. Of course.

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By *ildwestheroMan
36 weeks ago

Llandrindod Wells

"Would I be right in saying the royal family are amongst the largest land owners in the UK.

They don't pay any income tax.

And they have certain legally protected rights only available to them as birth right.

Yes I am Irish, of course royalty is lost on me.

I can see both sides piont of view but I can never get past the fact that the class system operated in the UK essentially prohibits people from being equal.

The house of Lords.

All the royal ranks.

I find it a bit odd that people would like to keep it.

Up the Republic!!!!

Give us back our spuds!!!!"

Wrong on a few things there. For starters they do pay taxes or at least they have for about the last 30+ years. I don't know the full details because it is complex but they pump quite a bit back into the treasury.

As for the 'class system' well that is something that operates in just about every country on Earth. People may not be called Lord or Lady but some are still privileged and consider themselves better than others. Even in the Irish Republic where I lived for 5 years and was often a frequent visitor

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

I'm not an expert, (you don't say Jamie) so I'm having a genuine conversation, but I thought they were confered lands and titles as they rose through the ranks, they don't pay inheritance tax on those lands but pay tax on some monies received but never as a normal citizen would be expected.

So they're fully future protected.

The house of Lords is ethically unfair though I would argue.

We do have something similar.

We have a political establishment called the Seanad, basically failed political elites from the Dail getting paid to do fuck all in it.

Class structure here is similar i suppose to everywhere.

We call it "having Notions"

I think if there was a will you could certainly keep all the wonderful pageantry, pomp and ceremony which is absolutely fantastic to see but loose the inequality.

The empire was an amazing thing built on the backs of all common people of the commonwealth.

I just think the times we love in have moved the dial.

But certainly none of my bloody business what another country wants for themselves.

Sitting here perfect on my pot of gold under a gigantic rainbow in the best wee country in the world sure.

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By *nthebuffMan
36 weeks ago

Liskeard

"She’s not the queen and never will be , she’s an adulteress and marriage wrecker "

Still surprised how much this is spouted. The biggest problem was Royal protocol when Charles wasn't allowed to get involved with Camilla. If only he had, doe-eyed Diana who loved playing up for the media (when it was going her way) would never have been in the scene.

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By *ildwestheroMan
36 weeks ago

Llandrindod Wells

Re: JamieMaybe. A lot of people inherit wealth and land. I tend to think of Royals and other aristocrats as custodians rather than owners of lad, estates, castles, stately homes etc. They look after them, employ many people and a lot of these places are open to the public to enjoy. Better than them being sold off, dispersed or destroyed when the current 'owner' dies.

Royals do pay tax. Less and less members of the extended royal family get an income from the state.

I agree that the House of Lords is an anachronism. An old boys/girls club for failed/has-been/retired politicians and political cronies. Left to me it would be stripped of its powers and would meet once a year as the pageantry of the State Opening of Parliament.

Inequality existed in all walks of life in all countries. Oddly enough the aristocracy has been displaced and a new 'elite' now exists in the form of successful business people, politicians, academic etc. Even in the dear old ROI you still have the remnants of old aristocracy though they have little power or impact now.

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By *ocbigMan
36 weeks ago

Birmingham

"The purpose of their visit was to celebrate their anniversary 20th? Funded by the UK tax payers well those that pay their taxes and so for what purpose other than their own just seems so wrong

I have no problem with this….. except the government didn’t pay for me to celebrate my 20th anniversary."

Did you address the Italian parliament in their own language whilst you were representing your country ?

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By *ocbigMan
36 weeks ago

Birmingham

"It's called soft power, the foreign secretary is out there as well. It's about building good relationships. The king is neutral when it comes to politics better than having an elected president, look on the bright side we could have something like trump!"

The king & previously the queen are not neutral, they exert influence through back channels and privileges, particularly with respect to exemptions for their (our?) estates, inheritance, tax issues and green issues at the very least.

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By *oathMan
36 weeks ago

Roath Cardiff

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take. "

Rubbish, unless you can back it up?

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By *ohnnyangerMan
36 weeks ago

" … And there are very few countries with a dictatorship, and even less countries with a monarchy as their head of state...

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/autocratic-countries

As of 2022, the organization Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) classified approximately 88 of the world's countries as autocracies, home to 70% of the world's people…

There are just over 40 countries that have a Monarchy as head of state.

No country is found in both groups above.

Sorry to bore you with facts. "

Sorry did you look at the list you posted? Multiple countries on their have a monarchy?

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By *orwdMan
36 weeks ago

Sheffield

Rumoured that he's terminally ill...any ideas..?

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By *ohnnyangerMan
36 weeks ago

"Would I be right in saying the royal family are amongst the largest land owners in the UK.

They don't pay any income tax.

And they have certain legally protected rights only available to them as birth right.

Yes I am Irish, of course royalty is lost on me.

I can see both sides piont of view but I can never get past the fact that the class system operated in the UK essentially prohibits people from being equal.

The house of Lords.

All the royal ranks.

I find it a bit odd that people would like to keep it.

Up the Republic!!!!

Give us back our spuds!!!!"

Ireland have also shown how to pick a globally liked president, who doesn't wield any real power.

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By *oolpeteMan
36 weeks ago

Chesterfield

"Free loaders words fail me and I would probably get excluded look what happened to our real Queen Diana

Do you mean the one who divorced the Prince of Wales? The one who was killed in an Road Traffic Accident, caused by a d*unk driver. When she was out on the town with her boyfriend?

Only asking because I didn't think you could be queen when your dead."

The only one who survived was her protection officer cos he had the sense to put a seatbelt on xx

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

"Rumoured that he's terminally ill...any ideas..?"

None of us is getting out of this alive. Enjoy the moment ♥️

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By *uy near ArundelMan
36 weeks ago

Nr Arundel

And considering how much they bring to the UK economy, it is well worth the £1 per person per year.

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By *ildwestheroMan
36 weeks ago

Llandrindod Wells

"The purpose of their visit was to celebrate their anniversary 20th? Funded by the UK tax payers well those that pay their taxes and so for what purpose other than their own just seems so wrong"

But was it? This is an official state visit not a holiday. Could be just a coincidence that it happens to be their 20th anniversary. Incidentally the President and First Gentleman of Iceland are, this week, on a state visit to Norway. Are you getting up in arms about that?

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By *adBod1986Man
36 weeks ago

Runcorn

"The amount of money that comes into this country because of our rich history, which the royals are a massive part of, love it hate it, is beyond belief.

Better than having a Trump retard every day of the week.

I'm sure places like France, Germany, Egypt still make a mint without figureheads still existing. Are you telling me people go to see the pyramids because they think there's an odd chance the Pharaoh is going to drive past them?

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By *r Workman1Man
36 weeks ago

Glasgow

[Removed by poster at 11/04/25 15:52:53]

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By *ruemaleMan
36 weeks ago

Gedling

"The amount of money that comes into this country because of our rich history, which the royals are a massive part of, love it hate it, is beyond belief.

Better than having a Trump retard every day of the week.

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By *r Workman1Man
36 weeks ago

Glasgow

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take. "
.

The cost to taxpayer is way more than you may think , the Royal family bring in money yes but the King charges the NHS to park Their ambulances in London , he charges the Army for the use of Salisbury Plane for exercises and training and charge the Royal Navy for the use Dockyards in South coast Duchy of Cornwall etc , the king does not pay tax , the uk tax payers pay for NHS Army Navy Air force etc who then have to pay the King for the use of his land and property

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

what is far worse as far as I am concerned is the cost that will result from that piece of human garbage Trump making a State Visit here - or maybe Charles has withdrawn the invite?

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

Yes the protection of fine houses and gardens is admirable.

Nearly every public park here outside of the cities are old demense and fine houses either returned to the state or taken over after the mass burning of landlord houses in the 1920's during the change of rule.

A shame that so much was wasted and lost including lots of innocent lives. Such is war.

I suppose we are really talking about the past as much as it affects us. I could not begin to tell you who is in control anymore. Who has all the info from my phone etc, who has the money, who rules us, certainly not our politicians.

The horse has changed riders but the lash goes on. WB yeats.

Though we can hardly compare our struggles of today to those a 100 years ago I suppose.

Thanks for your patience. It's always nice to have a conversation rather than an argument.

I love history, it's very much a living thing I like to think.

Just for fun, my family had in 1916 Easter rising in dublin one member of the family on either side.

One fought in British uniform at dublin castle and died in 1918 on the western front. The other for the rebels.

In 2016 I stood at the site of my republicans relative battle site in uniform in a very whimsical mood at the irony.

I wonder how many were in similar mood.

Truth is our countries are so closely tied historically we are inseparable.

The finding of things in common is always a source to build a future on.

One of the greatest moments i think in the building of peace again between out 2 countries and people's was the Queen speaking irish in 2011 at Dublin castle.

No president or prime minister could have moved so many with so simple and few words. Truly a momentous occasion here at least.

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

Post Of The Day.

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By *lackbootzMan
36 weeks ago

Hayes, Middx

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take. .

These are complete fabrications.

I remember there was some hoo-ha last year because the NHS wanted to store a fleet of ambulances not in use (which poses its own story) in some warehouse owned by the crown estate and agreed to pay the usual rental terms. The King does NOT charge the NHS to park ambulances in London... Misleading rubbish.

Far too few in this thread have been interested in facts.

It’s been a telling pot-pourri of people’s prejudices.

The King voluntarily pays some income tax and capital gains tax on his personal income, following the precedent set up by his mother and as was alluded to earlier in the thread. As well as inheritance tax on certain personal assets. All of this can de checked with a bit or research but, no - lots of sweeping claims above they pay no taxes.

They can’t pay inheritance tax on assets they don’t *own*. They don’t own the crown estate as explained several times above. By an act of Parliament they have use of the crown estate. But all sorts of posters above are still going on about all the lands they own… who cares about facts?!

Heaven forbid we did have some referendum on the Monarchy with just ignorance and prejudice and a total apathy about understanding what would be needed to replace them and any proper sense of the macroeconomics.

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

"The king and queen make far more money for this country than they ever take. .

These are complete fabrications.

Far too few in this thread have been interested in facts.

It’s been a telling pot-pourri of people’s prejudices.

"Voluntarily pays SOME income tax" that's very nice of him, pity we couldn't all just pay some income tax, whatever we wanted !

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

Wotcha BB,

Hard to see a referendum anytime soon. The fact the monarchy is largely seen as an irrelevance in Scotland matters not a jot.England/Westminster/The Establishment ain't even beginning to consider such a referendum anytime soon.

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By *raig_KJMan
36 weeks ago

Southport

Get a big red bus and tell us all how much we will save without a monarchy.

Tell us about all the benefits (The truth this time).

Then do the sums properly.

Of course if you don’t like U.K. culture, you can always go somewhere else, if they will have you.

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

Our Armed Forces Fight for King and Country

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

Our Armed Forces Fight for King and Country

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By (user no longer on site)
36 weeks ago

Our Armed Forces Fight for King and Country

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By *ichey6Man
36 weeks ago

aberdeen

If you partake in free speech and have an opinion that differs from others, why would you exile yourself to another country? Would Chaz be happy with his subjects thinking that is acceptable?

People leaving for having the temerity to not bow down? Do we want to live in an authoritarian and undemocratic country in which everyone has to show allegiance to what is ultimately a spectacular symbol that has no real part to play in everyday life...

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