I so don't care…

Interesting point, Annie. Saudi has a king. A british MP is asking for British troops to provide aircover for Saudi troops if they attack Syria. The MP is paid £2000 a month by the Saudi government.
I wonder what the queen thinks of this.

When the decommissioning ceremony of the royal yacht Britannia had the Queen in tears I had a good old rant at the telly. She could have easily afforded to buy a replacement but, like many rich people, is too stingy to do so. Why this family receives tax payers' money at all is a mystery to me. What IS the point of this rather dumb lot of descendants of grabbers?

No need for them at all! They are all parasites soaking up tax payers money! There are lots of very poor people that could do with some help as they live in absolute luxury!

Yes I am a republican too about time the class system was abolished - some hopes!! North Korea is not a democracy he was not elected but inherited the title from his corrupt father!! I am not interested in the royal family. My mother was 90 this year too - in poor health and no privileges for her like the queen!!

Interesting that many of the tabloids yesterday had Victoria Wood as their headline with pic of the Queen and family 'relegated'Does this nean they gauge the country's mood accurately ?

The monarchy keeps the class system strong in this country . I don't think I want a president but I find this extended Windsor family is just so wrong , I want to know what it costs us to,protect them and their many homes but this is not to be released to the public, we should be told . We are told what the queens wealth is, I am sure it is far more than the figure given

Anniebach, Canada doesn't have a president. Their head of state is our Queen!

I'm with Grumppa on this. I accept and understand the republican ideal but increasingly I worry about who would replace the Queen as head of state. I was anti monarchy as a young woman but no longer. I can think of much worse things than Charles as king - in answer to a comment up thread. I don't warm to Charles or his wife and I'd like to see many of the extended family earning their own living. Andrew and Edward being prime examples.

I know the queen is head of state for Canada, Australia , New Zealand and quite a few more but they don't pay towards keeping the family, we do

I think Charles should be King and his wife queen consort as previous kings wives . Just wish he would shift his two sons to get off their bottoms and work for the country

I don't understand politics, am not interested in any of it and can be swayed either way when listening to different points of view on this subject (or indeed the EU referendum) so keep quiet. My husband has no time for any aristocracy who he believes live on land that could well be used for many more useful purposes just because they happened to be born into a particular family dynasty but to me that is part of our history just as the Royals are and surely had any of us been lucky enough to be part of a privileged society wouldn't our views be totally different and influenced by our upbringing? I like the Royals in the main but can't be bothered to watch all the fuss over the Queen's birthday celebrations so haven't - just as I don't watch any major sports events, or programs about cooking. There are dozens of different channels to turn to to avoid any of it or pick up a book. Just saying

I'm another who is not really interested in the royal family. On the other hand neither am I bothered by them. Although they have in the past, at present I don't think they do any harm. Whether they do any good is arguable, but again, I don't really care so long as they don't do any harm.

This is why Charles is a worry. He, I think, would do harm as king, so I rather hope he pops his clogs as soon as, or even sooner than, the queen. Either that or we find a way to shut him up.

The reason we still have a monarchy is because we found ways to reduce the monarchy's power and influence to that of figureheads. Nothing wrong with figureheads, I reckon. Nothing worry or even care about. A few photographs and smarmy, boring articles in the media isn't going to hurt anyone.

bags I have been very busy but also thinking about your comment regarding happy countries and monarchies. I suspect that there are two issues: a) measuring happiness and b) the very different natures of the exisiting monarchies.

To wish someone dead is wicked

Expensive figureheads, though, bags.

Expensive, yes, but so are presidents or any kind of national figurehead. One of the 'normal' costs of State, I'd have thought. I don't really think its expensiveness is a good argument against a figurehead monarchy.

Ah well, I think you already have me down as wicked, ab, so... shrug.

Actually I don't wish Charles dead really. It was just a figure of speech. What I wish is that he won't be king.

At least two issues, absent. Have you listened to the podcast I referred to? Actually, I referred to an article. That was an error. Here's the link to the short podcast.

I must admit to feeling envious (jealous?) of the way the queen and the other royals have been able to live their lives. I do think the Queen is a rather special person though. For one thing, allthat going places would tire me out, no matter how luxurious the trappings were. She is very dutiful. I love old Philip too.

I am totally fascinated by pictures and films of the royals. Very sweet kids.

I dreamt that the Queen and I are best friends and I'd dropped in for afternoon tea at Windsor

I don't think your wicked bags, I think wishing the death of anyone is a wicked thought , but you are free to want the death of anyone

Did you enjoy it, whitewave?

Whitewave, you have a secret desire to be very grand ?

What I find so astounding is how such ordinary children , doing what all children do - except the type of education - grow up to be such weird individuals.

Nothing wrong with Charley-boy either! Fancy wishing him dead!