Thoroughly, heartily recommend this book to anyone living in a nation with the Windsors as their head of state.

I was, until reading this book, a mildly supportive subject, with a bit of a leaning toward an Australian and Canadian republic.Royal Families in Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark all make do with two palaces each; the UK Royal Family has 15 palaces plus Balmoral, Sandringham and those owned by the Duchy of Cornwall.

Given the depressing conclusion that the Royal Family is anachronistic, corrupt and arrogant and costs the taxpayer a mind-boggling amount of cash, the intelligent wit that accompanies the narrative is essential. Kevin Maguire, Daily Mirror 'An important text for anyone who cares about our monarchy and wants to see it reform and evolve to face head on the challenges of the twenty-first century. There are a lot of deserving people who receive them, like charity campaigning war veterans, lollipop ladies who have served 50 plus years and Floella Benjamin.Despite being ‘public servants’ on the taxpayers’ payroll, the Royal Family is exempt from the Freedom of Information Act and Is not obliged to abide by the standards of behaviour set out by The Committee on Standards in Public Life.