And What Do You Do? Book about the Royal Family by Norman Baker

I have just finished reading this book on my kindle. It is interesting in a gossipy sort of way but does rather drift into being just a rant against the royals. I learned stuff I did not know before, such as the grey area that exists between what is private property of the Windsors and what is public property and I was shocked at the royals' frequent use of planes and helicopters when they could easily take cheaper public transport. However, the author does use some dubious sources, such as the books of Kitty Kelley, the American author, and the tabloid press. I'm sure a lot of what he writes is true and to be deplored but, equally, I reckon some of it should be taken with a pinch of sale.

Kitty Kelley informed the world - the queen mothers pregnancies were achieved with the aid of a turkey baster!

thanks Anniebach I wondered why he was involved with Tibet.
He seems to have very disparate interests.
I don't have any real impression of him but I am curious about Tibet itself.

I'm half way through.

It's an absolute gem.

Yes it's good I am reading it too.

Tax payer pays for travel which costs a fortune and for their security.

Freebies

The cost to tax payers for upgrade of Buckingham Palace £359 million the Queen one of the richest people in the country contributes nothing.
Meanwhile the palace continues to pocket the lucrative stream of entrance fees to the building, to other royal palaces and to the royal collection.
Total admissions income for the various buildings reached £181 million over the five years to 2017.

It is theirs when it is an income stream it is ours when it needs to be repaired.

Not read the book. I remember HRH at a tea party asking an elderly Jamaican gentleman 'and where do you come from?' and he replied with the broadest Brum accent 'Birmingham Mam' and the side of her mouth lifted a bit and her eyes lit up - priceless.

Disgusting Grany. Not sure I could handle reading it.

I'm half way through the book as well.

It's an eye-opener.

Entrance fees do not go to private residences.

Buck House is a very, very large council house as is Windsor Castle and Kensington Palace but rent free . Suppose the same as tied houses, they go with the job.

I'm happy to continue to have the status of a royal family in this country because I do think they bring something to this country in terms of history but to only fund the direct heirs and no one else, and only one official residence i.e. Buckingham Palace. So everyone from Charlotte downwards on the list of succession needs to fund themselves as adults. That will please Meghan, who can go back to her B acting roles and her fake charity eco pretentiouness!

It's high time Harry returned to the so called 'job' for which he is so handsomely paid. His six week jolly must surely be coming to an end?

The queen has two official residences. Charles has one, William has one. What is so wrong is the apartments in
St.James Palace. And Harry turning down a large apartment in Kensington Palace to live out of London then having an
apartment in Buck House when they are in London.

Anniebach you do make me laugh.

Anniebach is right about Harry's Ken Pal apartment which we paid to have done up for him. Then he (or was it M?) decides they don't like it and we pay for another place to be done up.

Harry and Meghan( ?!!) apparently didn't want to live next door to William and family so decided not to take up occupancy in Kensington Palace!!!
The Queen paid for Frogmore out of the privy purse,money that is allotted to her. I can think of better ways of spending her allowance,but I suppose it was up to her!!

Kensington Palace isn’t a block of council flats, living next door doesn’t mean having to ask neighbours to turn the tv down.

I know Annie! That's why its seems so peculiar! I suppose H and/or perhaps M (?!) didn't want to be in the same vicinity as the in laws!

I wouldn’t be them for all the money on earth. Watching “ The Crown”, has cast away any delusions on that score.

I suppose because the Queen gave William and Kate Amner Hall as their country retreat, she wanted to do the same for H&M but it begs the question, who is going to take up residence in the KP apartment once the Gloucesters move out?

Millions are spent on these residences.

Eugenie and her husband are also living at Kensington Palace in one of the so called cottages. Shouldn't they be buying their own home? Eugenie is a minor royal who married a commoner.

I'm not a Royalist, but do think the Queen has done a grand job and I like the young Royals. We will never have the money, pomp and circumstance that they have, but who wants to live in a goldfish bowl anyway?

William and Kate will have a lot on their shoulders when the Queen dies. Charles and Camilla are no spring chickens and Harry is proving to be no support at all.

I hope they are enjoying every family moment they can while the going's good.

The Queen owns Amner Hall, she doesn’t own Frogmore,

They should have stayed in Kensington Palace, they were hardly going to meet getting in the morning milk.

I thought Eugenie’s husband was wealthy, even if not it’s wrong they are living in Kensington Palace.

Difficult being a Grannie though.

The Royals are coining it in from every direction plus freebies and free holidays and travel expenses and security.
The firm are have loads of money.

@SkyNews
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have trademarked their brand "Sussex Royal", prompting speculation they may roll out branded products

news.sky.com/story/duke-and-duchess-of-sussex-harry-and-meghan-trademark-their-brand-sussex-royal-11896586?dcmp=snt-sf-twitter

@Caeso_K

It's standard practice for the foundations. The Cambridges registered theirs in June within days of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and yet, no mention by the British press. Beware the spin.

twitter.com/Caeso_K/status/1211271039784632321?s=20

You're right, Frogmore is part of the Crown Estate. However, the Queen did pay for the repairs out of the sovereign grant. Generous Granny!!!