Bodkin: I have to google all these things, Princess Eugenie, wedding, UK... :-/

wpegg: What a fun debate you've just jumped into the middle of. The Monarchy receives a certain amount of money every year from the civil list, which is about £8m. This is intended to "offset" some of the costs associated with being the monarch. Really we just give them a chunk of money every year. It's actually been revised recently so that as of 2013 instead of the civil list we'll be giving them a Sovreign Support Grant. So essentially the Queen will be on benefits.

Pro-monarchists would argue that this expenditure is more than offset by the tourism and other income (the queen pays taxes on income generated from her not inconsiderable wealth). So on balance we simply gain a certain amount of national pride, tradition, and a bank holiday when one of them gets married.

Pro-reformists would argue that it is an archaic system that shouldn't be given any money at all, and that the Royal family should just support themselves like everyone else.

I probably lean apathetically towards the pro-monarchists, just as long as I don't have to watch the thing. If it makes some people happy and proud of our country, then there are much bigger costs I'd like to see cut before this. Either way, the amount of money spent is small fry in the light of the billions we've paid out to bail out the banking system. To put it in perspective, to try to pay for the gap in university funding for even just a year would probably completely bankrupt the entire Royal family of all the wealth they've accumulated over their entire time with the throne.

EDIT: PS. We don't pay tax in dollars ;)

Wraith: Eugenie actually has really nothing to do with the wedding, I just think shes hot.

Arteveld: They pay a lot in taxes? Hell, i'd read about people who do that. Beats the crap out of reading about the Popes and merry man in black, who do not necessarily pay for stuff.
Soo, child molesting tax evaders, or some square jawed people with funny accents getting married. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side and we appreciate what we had only after we lose it.

wpegg: You lost your child molesting tax evaders? We're sending you Simon Cowell immediately.

(I don't have any proof Simon Cowell is either of those things, I just hate him)

Delixe: Actually pro-monarchists are those who understand the Royal Family actually do a job more than waving and putting Liz's face on the bank notes. It's part of the history and culture of the country whether you like it or not and it does bring in a shitload of tourism. I guess you actually have to live in London to appreciate that.

Delixe: They also do pay a load of taxes on their properties and ancillary businesses.

Delixe: £8 Million of the Civil List is a pittance to be honest for how much they directly and indirectly put back into the country. The government can waste twice that with another happiness study.

Delixe: Anti-monarchists want them gone not because of who they are but what they represent. Most of the vocal anti-royals are also anti-globalisationists and anarchists.

Delixe: There are also the self-apologists who believe the English should be asking forgiveness for everything their ancestors have done over the history of the world, every day for as long as they live.

Delixe: At the end of the day the Royals cost fuck all compared to what they bring in so it makes no sense to get rid of them. If you want to persue people who are stealing from the country then go after companies like Vodafone and Top Shop who don't pay a penny in tax.

ddmuse: Globalization (with a "z" you European bastard... jk) isn't necessarily a good thing. And that sounds a bit biased anyway.

ddmuse: You blind, bro? You see the "jk"? That should have clued you into the fact that I was aware of that and joking. Get a sense of humor.

Delixe: You spelled it wrong.

ddmuse: Spelled it wrong by English standards, yes. Spelled it correctly by American standards (if I'm not mistaken). That was the joke...