[Waterstones]

Thanks!

[Andy McDandy]

Like so many other things, the Mail likes the idea of monarchy, but only in a very nostalgia-tinted, idealised way*. They like having people up there on a pedestal to coo over and admire, but also there as a target for their opprobrium. Just more characters in the Living Soap Opera, same as entertainers, politicians, anyone else in the public eye.

Whil I have little time for the concept of monarchy, I do acknowledge that those born into it are human beings, with real thoughts and feelings. Aside from presiding over things and opening other things, they have little real function, and are indeed damned if the do or don't.

*Like Christmas, many of the trappings of British royalty are a lot more recent (and non-traditionally 'British') than many would acknowledge.

[crabcakes_windermere]

I only have two problems with the Monarchy:

1. That the Queen is, by all accounts, a really mean-spirited, tight-fisted grasper despite being absurdly personally rich, and could easily e.g. more or less abolish the civil list and have the royals pay for themselves. The fact she's only cried in public when she lost her yacht speaks volumes.

2. That Prince Charles thinks being royal somehow gives him the right to put pressure on people to do things his way. He's perfectly entitled to his opinion on architecture and homeopathy - he's not entitled to use his position of privilege to make everything the way he'd like it to look or force joe public to spend money funding absurd efforts like the london homeopathic hospital.

[Admirable Chrichton]

2. That Prince Charles thinks being royal somehow gives him the right to put pressure on people to do things his way. He's perfectly entitled to his opinion on architecture and homeopathy - he's not entitled to use his position of privilege to make everything the way he'd like it to look or force joe public to spend money funding absurd efforts like the london homeopathic hospital.

And that is why when he becomes King, he'll do the repulican movements work for them. Liz has realised if she plays good monarch she can still get away with the whole deal today. Once Charlie's on the throne the Windsors are pretty much screwed.

[Paul]

Prince Andrew's big mistake: Humiliated Duke of York vows to end friendship with billionaire paedophile

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1FiQwmfYl" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

An impeccably-placed source said yesterday: ‘The duke recognises now that the meeting in December 2010, after Epstein’s conviction, was unwise.’


Unsavoury association: How Robert Maxwell's daughter 'procured young girls' for Prince Andrew's billionaire friend

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1FiRKTOv1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A double whammy today, no chance of a knighthood for Dacre then.

[Bones McCoy]

2. That Prince Charles thinks being royal somehow gives him the right to put pressure on people to do things his way. He's perfectly entitled to his opinion on architecture and homeopathy - he's not entitled to use his position of privilege to make everything the way he'd like it to look or force joe public to spend money funding absurd efforts like the london homeopathic hospital.

Though a staunch republican, I don't think this problem is exclusive to Monarchs.
I'm a lot more concerned when [mb]illionaire lobbyists (Thinking CBI, Lord Sugar, Football club owners) use their
status to launch extremist campaigns against long standing rights and traditions.
None of this excuses Charles, but the lobbyists appear a more vicious, persistent (and occasionally credible) force.

[Paul]

Prince Andrew 'hosted lunch for Tunisian dictator's son-in-law' at Buckingham Palace

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1FlPtcvo7" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Digging the shit again on "Air Miles Andy".

[Paul]

FBI to reopen case against sex offender friend of Prince Andrew: Duke may be forced to claim diplomatic immunity to avoid questioning

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1FltTK1ly" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Former Foreign Office Minister: Why I thought Andrew should go – and still do



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... z1FltiS7ao" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Clegg must breathing a sigh of relief, as the droplets of shit blow in the other direction.

[Paul]

FBI know nothing at all about Prince Andrew since Mulder & Scully Series 3 Episode 4: Dacre may be forced to lay low and claim editorial madness to avoid questioning.



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1FltTK1ly" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


A close source to Prince Andrew reveals that Chris Bryant eats bat shit & and always has done.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/artic ... z1FltiS7ao" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Palace fight back!

[Paul]

Hanging & Spike is to good for Vince Cable as Andrew refuses to back down as trade envoy with access to mega bucks trade deals.



Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z1FlxuUZWH" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ezinra]

Anyone who takes the time to take a hard look at Harry has to conclude that this guy is no wimp. He's the product of a loving, attentive mother and a father who is basically a decent man if a little flawed. I am not now or ever have been a great defender of the Royals, but Harry and his Brother are typical of the the British military, easily the finest fighting forces on the planet. And none of this has anything to do with employment, immigration, parliamentary skullguggery or favouratism.

- herbgill, Nottingham, 19/10/2011 11:22 Rating 22

My son is on the same course as Harry and he has said he is very much a natural. His mother would be very proud of her son as I am of mine.

- Anon, .., 19/10/2011 7:35 Rating 407

Harry, I hope you know your mother would be so proud of you. Diana had two top sons. Love you both to bits.

- Anne , North Yorkshire, 19/10/2011 11:12 Rating 11

[bluebellnutter]

Does anyone else find Anne a bit creepy?

[Malcolm Armsteen]

Just a bit.

[Timbo]

Just a bit.

I suspect her cats are named after the two boys, and she got dressed up to sit in her lounge, alone, for the wedding.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

When I read that my blood ran cold and deep inside I died a little bit.