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

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?

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!

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 half way through the book as well.

It's an eye-opener.

Disgusting Grany. Not sure I could handle reading it.

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.

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.

I'm half way through.

It's an absolute gem.

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.

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

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.

Sorry pinkquartz. He is president of the Tibet Society, when he spoke in the House he failed to say he received hospitality from the Tibet government in exile . He said it was an oversight.

Anniebach please tell me what is the connection with Norman Baker and TIbet?

Sorry, Duchy without a 't'!! Senior moment -Again!!!

The Dutchy of Cornwall support is, of course, at the Dukes (Charles) discretion! Harry and Meghan may, if they're not careful, run up against his displeasure and find they're out of pocket! Unlikely, but possible!

FGS Chestnut, the Queen paid for Frogmore Cottage out of money allocated to her in the form of the annual grant. It could have been better spent that is true! These days only the Queen and Prince Phillip are in receipt of this grant. Charles and his family, William and Harry et al are all supported by the Dutchy of Cornwall. The others are either self supporting or supported by the Queen from her private purse!

Looking at the photograph of The Queen, Charles, William and George with the Christmas pudding mixing. And the
photographs on display during The Queens Christmas speech,

The Queens father, Charles and Camilla, William ,Kate and their children . It was obvious the slimming down is underway.

Anne and Edward can’t be dismissed , they do much for charities . Quite natural for the Queen to have all her family
with her at Church on Christmas morning and on the balcony
on her official birthday, but these are private occasions.

The problem for Charles is Harry and Megan who want to do
their own thing but want the trappings which go with being a working royal brings.

I love the Royal family and all the pageant, but I agree they should be reduced significantly. Apart from the Queen, Charles and William the rest should support themselves. Anne and Edward do not live a grandiose lifestyle as far as I know, but Andrew, Fergie, Harry and Meghan are just taking the pee. I am not happy funding their extravagant lifestyles, so they should 100% support themselves along with all the others. Frogmore Cottage....don't get me started!
And don't touch any Royal residences, they are part of our (or the Queen's) heritage.

Nice and cosy Anniebach

Turn Windsor Castle into flats ?

So what would you propose using as Offices of State when you have a President, Lesley?

You could turn Buckingham Palace into studio flats for the homeless, the state rooms could be a little chilly though, cost of refurbishment upwards of, say £50 billion?

Then build a new and extremely expensive Presidential Palace suitable for entertaining world heads? Cost? Goodness knows.

Yes, a very economical use of public funds.

Anniebach what was Norman Bakers financial interest in Tibet?
Am very curious.

I had never heard of him before this book but I enjoyed it.

Anniebach, well if they don’t own the palaces then the residents should be evicted and the buildings turned over to the country for far better use than housing distant royal relations , I’m sure they can afford to buy their own place unlike some people in this country.

I think the DM published his memoirs, "Modesty Is Not Me"
He always seems inordinately pleased with himself.

Sorry Callistemon I was referring to those criticising the writer on here who would no doubt have him executed if they could!