
Each individual British taxpayer's annual pay-out for the entire royal family is minimal. The collective tax money goes direct to Scotland Yard in any case, who are in charge of RPO assignments, work shifts, etc.
This is not the point. You will see from my posting history that by and large I'm supportive of H&M. And you've raised lots of interesting points through this thread.
However, if estimates of a 20fold rise in their security bill as a resulting their choice to live overseas and their desire to travel globally (not always with the whole family in the first place) in order to do their new work is correct then it's not right for that to land on tax payers.
They have every right to make this choice and I wish them the very best but if £19m is going to be added to the UK tax bill (estimated rise from 1m to 20m security cost) then as a UK tax payer I want to see that going to healthcare or education. Or supporting the homeless and underemployed, addressing child poverty etc... Not the security of three individuals with huge personal wealth that the rest of us could never dream of. In fairness I suspect the estimates are somewhat inflated (to manage expectations of the tax payer) but it's also not difficult to imagine hugely increased costs with more international travel, multiple security teams and shift pattern considerations.
If they are no longer receiving funding from the SG that puts those costs I believe firmly in the tax payers laps as an additional tax burden. That's not right by any measure given the state of the country and the fact they are choosing not to live here and will no longer take on any official royal duties.
It's not what they wanted and it's a shame there wasn't a compromise to be found but like all the rest of us they are making choices based on what they hope will make them happy. They could have back peddled and stayed "in the fold" if they didn't like the exit package.
I'm increasingly perturbed by this "financially independent" commentary. Harry reportedly inherited £30m. He is already financially independent. Even if they spent £10m on a house... he's earning more in interest at rock bottom rates than I'll likely earn in a life time! Being "financially independent" means living within your means. Enough already. Time for Harry to take responsibility for his "financial independence" and Meghan (with her own wealth) to do her part - so the rest of us aren't footing their bills.
We all have our personal lines and as UK tax payers we have a right to draw our own. You are right that the individual contribution to the royal is low but there are lots of places where that cumulative sum could be put to use helping those with greater needs. And that's a statement on the royals in general not H&M.
And your attack on Lorac because they drew a line on where they don't want their taxes spent is laughable and unduly rude.
@Zemgirl can you offer a cute pic of a non Brit royal child? I need something lighter than distribution of my taxes to kick off the rest of the day!!!