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We are happy to provide this special, complementary, and comprehensive portal for the world’s pupils, with respect to all of their queries which may be related to the British monarchy and its position within the sixteen nations of which The Queen is Head of State. Within the BMS Student Portal, pupils can find:
- Answers to the most intriguing questions as to why the United Kingdom is a monarchy.
- Facts and statistics may help assist in the writing of reports and term papers.
- Links to special reports and articles about the Monarchy.
- Counterpoints and support arguments as to why the United Kingdom should not become a republic.
- Links to polls and graphs surrounding the monarchy and public opinion.
Secondary, College, and University students often contact the British Monarchists Society to help assist them with answers to questions they have regarding the Monarchy, The Crown, and the place of the institution within a modern 21st-century world. When students contact us with queries and the need for understanding certain Royal-themed subjects, the BMS is happy to help! Whether it be for a term paper, dissertation, debate, or in-depth studies papers, we have taken the time to further assist with the content below, in which we answer the most frequent questions which have been asked over the past many years we have been helping to educate about and promote the facts relating to Constitutional Monarchy, The Royal family, The Queen, The Crown and the British Monarchy in general.
If you are a student and need more information than what you find below, please contact: [email protected]
Note: The information on this website and within this portal are complimentary educational tools to help pupils understand the United Kingdom better, with respect to the Monarchy. Should any pupil use any answers or information from this Student Portal, the BMS would appreciate knowing that you have sourced this portal and have found it to be helpful. We would also ask that any answers used from this portal be credited within your work. The BMS would very much like to hear from you and read your reports, dissertations, and term papers, should you wish to share them with us. Perhaps we will even feature your reports here to help other students!
Please click on the 'Learn More' buttons below each of the categories.
Monarchy: A Contribution
Monarchy: Waste to Tax-payers
Monarchy: Benefit to the UK
Monarchy: State Visits
a few words to republicans
Monarchy: Royal Tours
Monarchy: Weddings/babys
Monarchy: Royal Finances
Monarchy: A Contribution
Q: Why do you believe that the monarchy is such a good contribution to our country?
A: The Monarchy serves as a symbol of tradition and also the Monarch is the personification of the State: 1,000 years of our history summed up in one living person who represents the many different, people, places, and religions that have shaped our story throughout the centuries. The Monarch also gives the nation continuity and is placed above politics, to which the government of the day is accountable to something and someone, unlike in most republics such as America. The Government in America is supposed to be accountable to the people but is not and therefore more times than not defies the wishes of the general population. This is supported by the recent election and the institution called the Electoral College. America is not a Democracy but the Constitutional Republic – most do not know the difference. The Monarch also leads by example, duty and is paramount to the working of government, after all the nation is Sovereign because of the Monarch. Everything within the government is carried out in her name. The Monarch is the cornerstone of the very institution and political system in which we live. If we were to remove this, the system in which we know and have lived will not work anymore – this is similar to removing the motor in a car, it will simply not work if it is removed and the same goes for our system of governance where the Monarchy is concerned.
Monarchy: A Waste to Tax-payers?
Q: Many say that the Monarchy is a waste of tax-payers money – what do you think of this?
A: The every day person in the street has little to no understanding of the daily function of, or expense attributed to the “tax-payer”. The general public is very much ill educated about Royal finances and where the funding is derived from. The Monarchy itself is not taxpayer funded. The only expense from the public purse is really security which any Head of State would receive regardless of the nation in which they serve. The Monarch and her family also top-up expenses from their own private incomes which is know as privy purse payments etc. The Queen does not receive a pay-cheque from the tax payer to be Queen unlike certain continental Monarchies and certainly unlike the Presidents and Prime Ministers of countless other nations. The Crown is funded by the Crown Estate which is not owned by the State but by the Crown, therefore the Queen is the proprietor and not the owner and therefore she is placed there in right of the crown which serves the people. The Proceeds from the Crown Estate are given to the treasury which then in turn the expense for the palace (official workings of the Head of State) are given over, leaving hundreds of millions of pounds for the government to put into public service such s education, health care etc. I have attached an article with exact amount etc for you to read for the most informative explanation of the crown estate, figures, expenses etc.
What the Monarchy Brings to the UK
Q: What, in your opinion, do the monarchy bring to the UK to benefit us?
A: The Monarchy brings innumerable benefits to the United Kingdom and this is best expressed by the Brand Finance Journal and how they value the British Monarchy. The institution is more than an example of national unity, nationalistic/traditional sentiments and a sense of pride, in which the Royals give the UK when we send them across the globe. The worth of the Royals is more a lot more than them keeping us as “number one” in the position of global soft power. It is the economic abilities of the Royals which mean the most, and further keep large portions of the economy booming, especially in smaller and rural areas. As a brand, the Royal family is truly a key player in many aspects of the British economy. The Monarchy, in terms of business and value as a British brand, is worth over £65 BILLION each year to our economy over many different areas.
To learn about which different areas of the economy are impacted by the Royals and to see how the value of Brand Windsor is broken down, please click here.
State visits, who pays for them, and the implications
Q: Should we have State visits and why do taxpayers fund State visits? What are the implications of such visits?
A: We should of course have state visits. This is essential to fostering and cementing relationships between nations. It is also important to maintain and further promote existing relationships and partnerships between two friendly and allied countries. No one is a better representative for this nation than HM The Queen and as The Queen, politicians from around the world aspire to be received at Buckingham Palace. A domestic politician, but more so for a foreign politician and Head of State, always know they have made it when they have a Royal seal of approval, either through a state visit, a private visit or a relaxed meeting with The Queen such as President Trumps last visit where he took tea with Her Majesty.
The only public funding which is of cost to the British taxpayer for State visits are the security aspects of States visits. Foreign Heads of State visiting the UK will have their own security detail both in sight around them and undercover, however this expense is paid for by the visiting country. Our own expense will be to cover the security of The Queen and those around her as we do when The Queen receives any foreign Head of State at Horseguards Parade and travels to Buckingham Palace via carriage. This includes undercover officers, snipers and other forms of security details both visible and invisible. The cost for dining, entertainments etc., during a State visit are met by the Sovereign Support Grant and sometimes from The Privy Purse (Queen’s private money), which ae not public funds.
These funds (SSG) are generated by the Crown Estate and not by the tax generating practices of the government, therefore no tax dollars are paying for state receptions etc. The Crown Estate is not owned by the public or by the state, it is owned by The Crown. The Sovereign Support Grant (SSG) is provided for official expenditure of The Palace, from which entertaining, state dinners etc., are paid for by this means. Though the payment of the SSG is made from HM Treasury, the Crown Estate has paid in over £300m this past year for £45m to be returned in the form of the SSG. The surplus of the funds given by the Crown Estate to HM Treasury are used by the government for the betterment of the nation. The Privy Purse fund is derived from profits of Her Majesty’s private land portfolios and investments, which are sometimes met by and used to offset official expenditures.
Q: Donald Trump is undertaking a state visit to the UK, with a particular focus on the financial costs, what effect will this have for the taxpayer.
A: The only public funding which will be of cost to the British taxpayer will be the security aspect of this visit. The American President will have his own security detail both insight around him and undercover, however, this expense is paid for by the Americans. Our own expense will be to cover the security of The Queen and those around her as we do when The Queen receives any foreign Head of State at Horseguards Parade and travels to Buckingham Palace via carriage. The cost for dining, entertainments etc., are met by the Sovereign Support Grant and sometimes from The Privy Purse, which is not public money. These funds are generated by the Crown Estate and not by the tax-generating practices of the government, therefore no tax dollars are paying for state receptions, etc. The Crown Estate is not owned by the public or by the state, it is owned by The Crown. The Sovereign Support Grant (SSG) is provided for the official expenditure of The Palace, from which entertaining, state dinners, etc., are paid for by this means. Though the payment of the SSG is made from HM Treasury, the Crown Estate has paid in over £300m this past year for £45m to be returned in the form of the SSG. The surplus of the funds given by the Crown Estate to HM Treasury is used by the government for the betterment of the nation.
Q: Why are State Visits, and particularly the role of the monarchy, still an essential part of this country’s diplomacy?
A: The Role Her Majesty plays is simple that of the state personified in all its glory and grandeur – symbolic of this nation’s place in the world and as a global “influencer” on the world stage. Britain still rules the world in terms of “soft power” and this is very important when we look in terms of diplomacy. None sells this nation better than The Queen and the Windsor family – they do what is needed and pave the way through grand receptions and dinners to secure inward investments in the tens if not hundreds of billions of pounds each year. This is easily achieved when our Head of State happens to be the most well recognised and most popular woman in the world, with a very famous family brand behind her.
The role of the Monarchy is very much to support, celebrate, honour, and unite the people of this nation. It is an institution that is steeped in 1,000 years of our national story, to which these traditions not only identify who we are as a nation but further excite, promote and intrigue the outside world. The Monarchy is the most famous in the world, one that belongs to sixteen different nations in total with a single shared Head of State – The Queen. The Monarchy is intrinsically British, representative of our core values, and mindful of our traditions. This is what the world knows us for, and the people feel comfortable knowing that the sense of continuity and familiarity they feel when thinking of the Monarchy, brings them a sense of calm in an otherwise chaotic world. Doing business with the Monarch, who has been known and loved all of her life, makes transactions seem simple, easy, and dignified. This process has worked for us for hundreds of years, and it still continues to do so.
Words for republican pressure groups
Q: What would you say to anti-monarchy parties, such as the republic group?
A: There is not much to say, other than we respect their thoughts and their rights to believe what they want to believe. However, their desire to create the United States of Britain and Northern Ireland would be a very big mistake, as the sentiment and affections in which the Royals and The Queen herself are held within the nation would never be met by a politician in today’s society. Simply stated, a politician can not and would not do what The Queen and her family are able to do for the nation in respect to unity, continuity, respect, and financial contributions to the overall net worth and value of the UK.
Tax-payer funded Royal tours?
Q: Why do royals, such as Harry and Meghan, have to go on tours funded by the UK tax-payers?
A: Harry is a working Royal which means that he carries out engagements on behalf of the Queen in representing British interests at home and abroad as well as representing the Sovereign within communities at home and across the Commonwealth Realms and nations. This is a very serious responsibility and part of why the UK retains its position as number one in the world in regard to “soft power”. Not one government representative can relate to and touch so many people around the world as the Queen and her family do. Again public expense does not fund these tours, just certain aspects such as security and certain portions of travel if the government has asked a member of the Royal family to represent the government itself on visits and trips. However, if the government specifically asks a member of the Royal family to take a tour on behalf of the nation, for “influential” purposes, then costs will be met by the tax-payer, as the government has insisted the Royal in question specifically be the one to undertake said tour. Not everything is so cut and dry or white and black where duties of the Royals are concerned when representing the Queen or the government itself.
Most travel by the Royals is met by the Sovereign Support Grant, which are profits of the Crown Estate, as well as the privy purse. Any travel met by the government treasury itself would be for specific use travel in which a Royal was purposely asked to visit or attend something on behalf of the British government and not the Sovereign herself.
Harry & Eugenie’s Wedding Expenses
Q: Many people understood the money spent on Prince Harry’s wedding, but became angry upon hearing about the money spent on Princess Eugenie’s wedding. What do you think of this? Why did she have so much money spent when there is no possibility that she will become queen?
A: Do the people really understand how much money was spent on, and how Harry’s wedding paid for? Or was it simply that people may not have had that big of an issue on cost because this was the second child of Diana, Princess of Wales, whom the public loves and wants to see her legacy continue to be carried forward – so they overlooked a lot of things that they thought would be deferred to the public coffers? Eugenie is not very well known or popular, and if the Public truly understood Prince Harry’s wedding costs, the public would understand Eugenie’s costs. Princess Eugenie’s wedding was not very much (just over £3M) in comparison to Harry’s Wedding which was tens of millions.
Most of Eugenie’s cost was on flowers (paid for by the family) and security. Princess Eugenie is not classed as a “working Royal” and therefore her wedding was a completely private affair (even though they did invite the public to share in their special day) with hers and her husband’s families footing the bill. As the Sovereign (Head of State) and the three future Heads of State were in attendance, the public contribution to the wedding was only for security – the same as is paid for any event that the Monarch attends including Harry’s wedding, Williams wedding, etc. The cost for security wherever the Monarch is is always and has always been covered by the state. Do not forget that Windsor Castle is state-owned and not privately held by the Monarch, therefore any events which take place at the Castle, where the public are invited or are, always require security and protection for not only the Head of State but for the people visiting the Castle.
Q: What would the BMS say to those who argue the taxpayer should not have to pay for the baby?
A: We would completely agree with them, as the taxpayer does not fund any aspect of this child. The household of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has its official expenditure covered by Clarence House, which operates from The Prince of Wales’s private landholdings through the Duchy of Cornwall. The Duchy is not owned by the public and the portfolio is that of The Prince of Wales. Prince Harry is a millionaire in his own right after what he was left by the premature death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, and Meghan herself is a Hollywood celebrity and millionaire – there is no reason why, and no reason for, the public to pay any money towards the birth of this baby, simply because public funds do not pay for baby Sussex. The only aspect which is a cost to the public would be to town and city councils for security surrounding the hospital, the Royal estate, etc., where there may be deep media and public interest surrounding the birth. This birth is very different than that of those of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, solely for the fact that Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex have chosen to be quite low-key and private. Therefore, by doing so, security has not been needed for days on end with people camping outside of a hospital, comings and going of other Royals to and from said hospital, etc. The Sussex family already lives well within a very secure estate, thus keeping external security costs to a minimum. Where ever there are celebrities and people of interest, let alone royals, there is always a cost of security involved which is covered by the taxpayer – this is a fact, no matter country we live in. The UK, America, France, Germany, and all nations always have a security expense when members of the family of the Head of State are involved in any movements within the public sphere.
Royal Finances & The Crown Estate
Royal finances are a vast oasis of intrigue, understanding and preconceived assumptions in an otherwise confusing and multi-layered equation as to how The Palace is funded. What if we told you that what you think you know is true, is n fact untrue and unfounded? What would you say if we told you that the British Monarchy is not funded by the tax-generating efforts of the government and that the only contribution to the cost of the Monarchy would be for security? Would you believe this? We hope so because this is the truth!
The best articles and resources which truly outline what the Royal family is valued at in terms of financial value to the country, how The Crown and the Royal family are funded etc, can be found on the links below.
- Red Pennies and The Queen: Who Pays The Royal Bills?
- Brand Finance Journal: The Value and Contributions of Brand Windsor
Please note that further information about Royal finances can be found under the “Education” tab on our website with the heading “Royal Finances”.
Polls & Statistics
Top polling organisations such as YouGov and Ipsos MORI have conducted numerous polls over the decades, monitoring public thought, support, and belief in the institution of Monarchy and the Royals themselves. Please click here to be brought to our “Proof in the Polls” page for polls, statistics, and graphs regarding public attitudes towards the Crown in the UK. on end with people camping outside of a hospital, comings and going of other Royals to and from the said hospital, etc. The Sussex family already lives well within a very secure estate, thus keeping external security costs to a minimum. Where ever there are celebrities and people of interest, let alone royals, there is always a cost of security involved which is covered by the taxpayer – this is a fact, no matter country we live in. The UK, America, France, Germany, and all nations always have a security expense when members of the family of the Head of State are involved in any movements within the public sphere.
The UK – A Republic
Many students are interested in writing papers and completing projects which centre around the United Kingdom becoming a republic and why the British Monarchists Society does not endorse or think this to be a viable option for the nation. To learn more about why the BMS does not believe in a republic for Britain, and to also see the arguments against this, please visit our section on the republic by clicking here.
