Their Royal Leeches.

[TheOstrich]

We're all entitled to our own views on the Monarchy, and whilst I haven't much time for some of the peripheral Royals like "Air Miles", I do respect HRH, Charles, Wills and Kate. I think they do a lot of good, and personally I can think of many people more worthy of branding with the L word, mainly at Westminster.

That said, I'm also a bit surprised the police have sent that Round Robin to the locals in Norfolk. I'd have thought they'd have been more concerned with the gutter-press pepperonis .....

[debih]

I agree, respect has to be earned.

I like them but why should I respect someone who has done nothing so far to earn it.

One just happened to be born into the (self proclaimed) royal family whilst the other was lucky (or scheming) enough to marry into it.

I wish them no ill but I see no point in them whatsoever. I don't think they bring tourism into the country. No one comes to see them - if they did they woukd be very disappointed as they hardly sit on their throne to be viewed.

As WM says, people come for the history and buildings. No one is going to spot a royal at the a Tower of London but still they flock to it.

[Suff]

Let's try this one.

We, the people, give them back the £150 million surplus from the Crown estates, over the cost of keeping the monarchy, then they pay for their own protection.

No?

Thought not.

Leeches? Directly the opposite is true. The Royal family is self financing and a massive draw for the tourist economy.

[Kaz]

I think they come to see the living history, that's the difference. They would still come without the royals, but not in such numbers IMO xx

[saundra]

I love the royal family
But that is j just me

[Suff]

I think they come to see the living history, that's the difference. They would still come without the royals, but not in such numbers IMO xx

It still doesn't change the fact that they give us £200m, we give them back £50m and call them scroungers and leeches.

Gratitude, British style.

[Nanna]

Hear hear Suff.

[moondancer]

biggest benefit family in the UK

Also the family which brings the most money into the UK from abroad.

Ah, that old fallacy. People do not come to the UK (London) to see the Royal Family - The Queen - as few ever see any of them. They come to see the buildings and for the history behind them. They would still come if the Monarchy did not exist. Try Versailles or St Petersburg.

Not true I'm afraid.

They come to see the ceremonials connected with the Royal family: the Changing of the Guard, the sentries outside the palace, Horse Guards Parade.... the palaces themselves would not be of so much interest if it was not for the fact that they are inhabited.

They come because they love the idea of a Royal family.

Do you really want to be like the US where they have to invent their own Royals so plump for the Karshadians ?

I certainly don't.

The Royal family are the envy of most of the rest of the world, especially America.

[moondancer]

I think they come to see the living history, that's the difference. They would still come without the royals, but not in such numbers IMO xx

Exactly Kaz.

[saundra]

I love all the tradition and ceremony but then again I grew up in a military family
And London Windsor Edinburgh and Wales would be very drab without our traditions