Posted on 06/30/2005 10:24:17 PM PDT by echoBoomer
"Value-for-money" - that is what Britain's royals believe they are giving, reacting to the publication of details of spending by Queen Elizabeth and her family. The statement came from Alan Reid, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, the man who is responsible for royal finances.
He added: "We're not looking to provide the cheapest monarchy. We're looking at one of good value and good quality." The cost to the British people for the last financial year was 55.1 million euros.
That is the equivalent of 91 cents from each UK taxpayer. The total bill was 150,000 euros less than the previous year.
Most of the money went towards the upkeep of palaces. The royals have been under political pressure to control costs in recent years.
Critics, who accuse them of extravagance, seized on the 7.5 million euros travel budget.
The most expensive trip was to Sri Lanka, Australia and Fiji by the heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles which involved chartering a plane costing 450,000 euros.
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What a funny, bizarre, certainly anti-American concept.
Just think of the damage to the British economy if Prince Charles tried to something that mattered. 450,000 euros is cheap compared to the damage twits like the royal family could do if they had any real power.
How many Euros is that per ear?
When you consider the area and the cost, it might be cheap.
Good point.
It is funny, but perhaps also true. Imagine if they had any real power. When you look at how much loot the Saudis and other royals (and dictators) skim off the state, they are cheap. They probably generate more than that in tourism dollars.
"We're not looking to provide the cheapest monarchy. We're looking at one of good value and good quality." The cost to the British people for the last financial year was 55.1 million euros.
Basil Fawlty...paging Basil Fawlty...
A good comedy isn't cheap!
Give them all a job on Saturday night live as.....themselves!
Make them earn their keep, for cryin' out loud!
Livin' large on welfare is all they're really doing!
I just don't get this. Why should the royal family answer to anyone about their expenses? If you can't blow whatever amount of money you want, then you're not royal. It's that simple. Just hang in the castle, party down, and if some bean-counter comes by whining, then release the hounds on 'em.
Ans yet, France spends more than that maintaining it's royal palaces.
I'm sorry but I love the British royal family. I just went to London and the first place we went was Buckingham Palace. They are a huge tourist magnet. Tradition is important for societies and this monarchy has a thousand years of history behind it. Yes, they're a lttle odd and strange looking, but that's the appeal and the Queen has always presented herself with dignity and honor despite what the rest of her family does.
okay, i will step off soap box.....
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