Aloka wrote: ↑Sun May 20, 2018 7:40 pm
So what? We don't live in an equal society, what about all the billionaires in other parts of the world? - get used to it!
Billionaires in other parts of the world are not subsidised by tax payers is the point being discussed. If you are not willing to discuss that particular point .. then why argue?
As far as other monarchies go -
In Saudi Arabia .. they provide governance (of whichever sort) .. and most ordinary Saudi citizens live a life so lavish that you cannot even begin to imagine it in UK (on top of it there are no taxes)
Same with Brunei.
In Japan the Emperor has a personal net worth of only $40 million and all actual expenditures* are paid by government. Since same maid cannot wipe the floor and table (according to Japanese custom) the palace needs 160 servants and running cost is $150 million .. but the RF of Japan always has an apologetic face and all their princesses have married commoners and opted out of the RF .. they stay as far in shadows as possible.
In other places like Libya .. the rulers are despotic but can be strangled to death and then beheaded .. I am not sure RF of Britain will go for that option ..
Otherwise, billionaires from Warren Buffet to Carlos Slim Helú to Mark Zuckerberg put in 80-100 hours a week to get where they are.
*actual expenditure - in UK the Queen has substantial income from profits of the Crown Estate which she surrenders to the government but receives 15% of the amount she surrendered 2 years ago (roughly $40-50 million per year income) and she also receives Sovereign Grant which pays for the family's travel, palace upkeep and utilities and royal employee payroll.
Hence she has personal wealth in region of $200 million at least (to do with as she wishes). Finances of the RF are as complicated as those of the Vatican .. add to it income of Prince Charles in region of $30 million a year from Duchy of Cornwall and there is no reason why they cannot pay for the marriage in instalments.
"The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”― Albert Camus