When we tweeted pictures of the 18 royals, quite a few people had no idea who some of them were. Not surprising, as they don't make much of an appearance these days. But they still get significant subsidies from the state, including security and palatial apartments.
This is Richard, (Duke of Gloucester), a cousin of the Queen (son of the last king's brother), and his wife, Birgitte van Deurs (Duchess of Gloucester). The official royal website describes them as "full-time working members of the Royal Family."
In 2019 the Duke of Gloucester's engagements added up to about six weeks of full time 'work' for the whole year. Despite having never served in the armed forces, he dresses up in various uniforms. The couple have a palatial home in Kensington Palace.
These are Prince and Princess Michael of Kent. Michael is also a cousin of the Queen. Princess Michael's actual name is Marie-Christine Anna Agnes Hedwig Ida von Reibnitz. In 2004 she was accused of racially insulting diners in a New York restaurant.
Prince Michael served in the army and achieved the rank of Major. Despite this he now wears the rank and uniforms of Vice Admiral in the Navy and Air Commodore in the RAF. The couple also have a palatial apartment in Kensington Palace.
There are two more Kents on the list. The Duke of Duchess of Kent. Edward, the Duke of Kent is the older brother of Prince Michael and another of the Queen's cousins. The Duchess is Katharine Lucy Mary Worsley.
Despite leaving the army in 1976 as a Lieutenant Colonel, he managed to get himself promoted to Field Marshall in 1993. The couple also have a palatial home in Kensington Palace. In 2019 Edward managed the equivalent of a staggering six weeks full-time 'work'.
Finally, there's Princess Alexandra. Another of the Queen's cousins, the royals refer to her as a 'working member' of the family. In 2019 her official engagements added up to the equivalent of eight weeks full-time 'work'.
As well as having a private residence in London, Alexandra also has an apartment in St James's Palace.
All of these people cost the tax payer huge sums of money for the sole reason that they are related to the Queen.
#AbolishTheMonarchy
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