bats

That's sarcasm right? Cos perks shouldn't mean fewer rights for others. Maybe a swans egg here and there.

Shard

Not really sarcasm, they have greater responsibilities than others, admittedly under an arcane and non-egalitarian system, and therefore can be afforded some extra rights. No comment on the extent of those rights. A slimmed down monarchy and reduced asset base might be the way to go, but it hasn't happened yet.

spouse of scouse

I'm trying to think of what extra responsibilities the British royal family have that validate any extra rights, and I can't think of one. I understand that it's the system that affords them these opportunities, but what burdens do they have that justify this?

Shard

As Harry said, they are trapped within a system. Their lives are defined and restricted from the outset, and all under the glare of national scrutiny. It's a bizarre pantomime which both they and the general public appear to want to maintain.
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abner

Well, they do have to cut ribbons at new hospital wings, in return for all the tax-free millions.

One would think that Piers Morgan could undercut them a bit, now that he's out of work and all.

Paul_Shepherd

Exactly!! This is why I never would begrudge them their lifestyle. and really for what the tax payer pays and what they get in return from the monarch.... isn't worth arguing about! its pennies to each tax paying individual.

Shard

I've never totally bought into the economic argument (how much they bring in) but in terms of simply maintaining the historical institution, while there's a family willing to sacrafice their freedom for it, then why not, all part of Brand UK.

bats

Better than being trapped in poverty.

Jerseygirl

but he had to use the money his mum left him to buy ‘this’.

Rete

Only because he and his spouse wished to continue living in the manner in which he had been accustomed to and his spouse thought she deserved.

They could have easily have lived in a much smaller home and with his green card, he could have found work, as he eventually did, at a more than above average salary and she could have resumed her acting career.

Harry and Meagan <sorry, can't remember how to spell her name and don't care enough to look it up> chose to leave the Royal Family and start a new life for themselves in the US. Their choice; their adventure.

As for "M" looking to run for president of the US one day, I suggest that she return to college or at the very least hire tutors to educate her in US politics and world matters. She perhaps can rule a colony of ants, but not the US.

Jerseygirl

She doesn’t need to educate herself, if anyone challenges what she says she will play the victim/racist card.

The poor luvvies are going to take a much needed break when baby #2 arrives. It’s a hard life.

dbd33

How do you she thought she deserved to live in a particular manner rather than say, quite liking it or not caring for it much? Do you see your life in terms of reward, or penalty, for your personal qualities?

Ever heard of Chester Karass, king of the aeroplane seat pocket?

Rete

She married a prince who was a member of the British Royal Family and as such she would naturally have assumed she would live a lifestyle similar to what her fiance was living in. Guess by her actions, she didn't like everything that came with the life style.

I see my lifestyle as a reward for hard work and prudently saving for my retirement. And yes, my personal qualities made me a hard worker who advanced in her career to earn a good living.

Nope never heard of Chester Karass who is king of the airplane seat pocket.

dbd33

For years, perhaps decades, Mr. Karass had aeroplane seat pockets all over America and on transatlantic flights, filled with brochures and other advertising material with his slogan "You don't get what you deserve...". It struck me as a truism then as now.

Back with the Princess, even if she assumed she would live in the same manner as her husband, it doesn't follow that she thought she deserved it. Indeed, the fact of her quitting suggests that she thought, whatever her sins, she hadn't done anything to deserve that.

abner

Meanwhile, the Daily Mail will delight in months of hyperventilation over the implications of the new bub's skin-tone on relations with senior royals.