Harry and Megan... What say you?

Mostly wondering about what the folks in the UK think of Harry and Megan and their trials and tribulations with the Royal family, and moving permanently to the U.S. Tonight I heard Harry making a comment about us having rights stripped away - likely a discreet comment about SCOTUS and wonder if he is going to dip his toes into our politics, what the UK folks think of them etc.

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CharlesRomsey · 61-69, M

I think we should clear up about how the Royal Family is funded. An agreement was reached sometime in the 19th Century (I think) that all of the income from the Crown Lands would go to the Government, and the Sovereign would receive an "allowance": this is called the Civil List. There is no need for the taxpayer to subsidise or pay for the Monarchy: there is a healthy profit from the income received from Crown Lands, let alone tourism.

Ontheroad · M

@CharlesRomsey Sounds fair to me, especially as the Monarchy, as I understand it, serves little tangible purpose.

CharlesRomsey · 61-69, M

@Ontheroad No less tangible than most politicians: The Queen is our Head of State: she has reserved powers to enable or decline legislation, or to dismiss a government. Both powers are rarely used, but it's worthwhile that she can subtly remind the politicos that she has that right under our constitution.

Ontheroad · M

@CharlesRomsey Thanks, didn't know that.

walabby · M

@CharlesRomsey In Australia our Governor General takes the place of the Queen and has similar powers. In 1974 he did sack a government that was behaving poorly. An election was called and, presto, a brand new government, prime minister... everything. There were a few unhappy people about this, though, but no one got killed.

CharlesRomsey · 61-69, M

@walabby Was that Gough Whitlam disaster? Despite the fact that the AG made the right call, it enervated the republicans.

walabby · M

@CharlesRomsey Yep. It was a pity that the first Labor Govt after so many years proved to be totally incompetent.