[mitchbert]

Thanks, John.

Before anyone goes off and calls Charles or for that matter Andrew whimpy, useless whatevers I would remind them that any suggestion of such with the military units these gentlemen served with might meet with some serious disagreement from the other individuals involved.

The net benefit of the Royal Family is very hard to calculate, but it ultimately is a result in the black. It's a part of the identity not only of Great Britain but also The Commonwealth. When HRH QEII comes over, the most eager folks to meet her are often the newest Canadians.

No harm, no foul. And we always have (at least in theory) the ability to petition Her Majesty to throw our pathetic Prime Minister out on his ear. May someone she would listen to communicate such.

[txhurl]

Well, we colonists have M. Thatcher as a reference point. We don't ask you guys to take the Hilton sisters or the remaining Kennedys seriously, either.

[Ciexyz]

Okay, I'll give Charles credit for his military service. He looked spiffy in his uniform in the Queen Mum's funeral walk.

[johnb838]

Agreed! Some have said that looking at the history etc. in London and the shires would be just as much fun if the royals were defunct, but I think that the fact that Elizabeth Regina II actually lives and reigns makes the history come alive, and gives England a glorious heritage. Heck, Tolkein wrote the middle earth stuff partly to give Britain a mythology that he felt was lacking. This is similar. It helps to make Britain BRITAIN, and not 'Airstrip One'.