https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/royal-family-prince-andrew-king-mps-b2816479.html

Here, off the top of my head, are 10 areas MPs might usefully discuss:

1) Is it reasonable that the King – in addition to the payment for the job – should pocket nearly £30m a year from the Duchy of Lancaster? Otherwise known as his subjects, or even MPs’ constituents?

2) While we’re on the King, could he be a bit more forthcoming about the private income from investments, inherited wealth and the revenue stream from estates such as Sandringham, where he owns some 300 houses, and Balmoral? Could he tell us what, if any, tax he pays on any of that?

3) William gets around £24m a year. Nice work if you can get it, only it doesn’t involve much work. The funds derive from voters living in the Duchy of Cornwall: 128,922 acres of land across 19 counties. At a time when we’re all feeling the pinch a bit, are there no better uses for these millions?

4) Andrew. Epstein, the Chinese “spy”, the grace-and-favour house, all the dodgy stuff around Pitch@Palace. Where to begin?

5) The houses. William apparently doesn’t want to live in Windsor Castle. None of them want to live in Buckingham Palace. The King wants to get Andrew out of his house. Do they really need nine occupied Royal Palaces as well as Balmoral and Sandringham? I think there may be 19 houses, castles or palaces in all, but no one seems very sure. Literally hundreds of empty rooms at a time when their subjects are facing an acute housing crisis. Worth discussing?

6) Buckingham Palace, in particular. Could the King please give the gardens to Londoners as another public park? As the world heats up, they could do with one. MPs could come up with creative uses for the palace itself.

7) Princess Beatrice. Last week, she featured in promo pictures for an Emirati bank’s new London branch. There she was, ninth in line, smiling in a lineup alongside First Abu Dhabi’s group chief executive, Hana al-Rostamani, the bank’s vice-chair, Mohamed bin Saif al-Nahyan, and three board members. What was she doing there?

8) The slimmed-down monarchy. Is it still happening?

9) The Dukes of Kent, 89, and Gloucester, 81. They are very old now. Could they be allowed to put their feet up? Is there a succession plan? How would the show struggle on without them?

10) Fergie. Is there a register of interests somewhere? Could MPs see it?

Posted by ButIDigress79

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