I'm quite happy having the royals although I do understand the other point of view...I do think it's a tradition that we accept and like. As someone pointed out, the tourism the royals generate probbably outweigh the costs to the tax payer to "keep" them. I can also see why some people say why should they be born in to privelage etc...but to be fair, her job prob isn't half as glamerous as what we might imagine. All those state visits, I don't know if I could be bothered.
Although priveleged, I do like the way Wills and Harry have jobs in the armed forces, its a good example to set. William obviously done a degree for 4 years then had to complete his training for his pilots licence so it makes hime more in touch with reality I think.

@Mike: A 10 year old child could see what's fundamentally wrong with having an unelected head of state, but royalists, like yourself, seem happy to delude themselves that the royals have a place in a mature society.
Think about it. Somebody is born and automatically becomes commander of our armed forces, head of the church, and has the final say on important legal issues - following that 'logic' why not have families born to become Doctors, scientists and engineers, regardless of their lack of talent?!

As for your assertion that they somehow help out with diplomacy; Presumably the royals are doing some behind-the-scenes work in relation to the increasingly hostile Argentinians, or Iran's pursuit of a nuclear weapon.....I'm sure as soon as the Queen turns up in here sparkling dress that hard-headed politicians will become 'all smiles' and will bend to her will.

'Inspired more people than any President out there'?! Presumably you've never heard of Nelson Mandela - and if it's inspiration that bothers you, then why not make David Beckham a royal? He's been far more inspirational than any royal I can think of.

I personally think that the only reason we still have the royals is because it seems they've always been there, and we feel comfortable with the tradition. Imagine a Republican President proposing that his country should have a particular family as head of state, that they should be immensely priveleged, effectively above the law, commanding the armed forces, and that this family's descendents should be afforded the same rights, regardless of talent, and all of this at the taxpayer's expense - he'd be laughed out of office.

Speaking to our Queen: Can I say, Your Majesty... Ma. am. I believe your reign has been remarkable and it would be a token of an acknowledgement if you allow the new CNDR road bridge over the mighty Cumbrian River Eden that flows from the Pennine backbones to then the Solway Firth between two unionised kingdoms to be so named in your honoured name. If you should allow the bridge to be so named, as perhaps the 'QEII's Edenbridge' in respect of your contribution to your many subjects in the city of Carlisle where you have visited on a number of occasions on your many travel's throughout the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries which you continue to show an immense interest. Besides representing your country worldwide throughout your long reign.

This is in part my reporting an incident on Carlisle's CNDR road to police control room at.... "CNDR" wheres that? 'Beside 'new' Edenbridge, yes, I know where you mean. No, No, not town centre, not than one. The new Carlisle bypass road. It may just need a police crown.

Our unelected head of state has done more the reputation of this country, has given us a diplomatic advantage and inspired more people than any president of any republic out there. Not only that, the monarchy brings in more than it takes from the economy due to tourism and the diplomacy angles (with perhaps a notable exception for Airmiles Andy). We would lose something special about this country if we lost our monarch and it would not be much cheaper - France still pays millions to keep its palaces in good repair despite not having a monarch or Emperor since the middle of the 19th century.

And Tom at 16:24 on 13/2/12, how exactly is a republic more 'grown up'? Name me one current republic that is more 'grown up' than the democratic monarchy system we have here? Russia? Iran? USA? Don't make me laugh.

Yes its quite an achievent inheriting all this power & wealth, being an unelected head of state.

That's rather a sweeping comment Red White and Blue. How about Paul Murphy, Irish Socialist MEP. As in line with Socialist Party policy he does not live on the full salary of an MEP but instead lives on the average industrial wage.

tim,you could say the same about all the socialist meps in brussels,never done a hard days work in their lives,and get well rewarded

Hard worker or not (and a lifetime of tax payer financed travel is not hard work), she should be the last. We need to grow up and become a Republic.