"A young lad's life is what we're talking about here, not some cartoon character, but a young lad who has already lost his mother."

Which is a tragedy in itself, and what those boys have had to go through has been appalling and in many cases it's bang out of order they (or anyone else) should be treated like that.

But they're not boys anymore, they're well-educated (better than most), well-advised and intelligent men, and it's not a cartoon strip they're living in it's the real world and the real world is full of people for who the word 'Paki' is a pejorative and a term of abuse. Perhaps in the rarified atmosphere of Eton and Sandhurst the reality of life for those less fortunate than themselves in this country get overlooked and the idea the Royal Family can absolve themselves of responsibility for their faux-pas is nonsense and shouldn't be entertained.

I have no love for the arsewipe rags that pursue the Royal Family or anyone else for that matter, and it's depressing that so many in the country lap up the tabloid press in all it's forms.

But by the same token I don't care for the Royal Family for reasons I've already stated. They can look after themselves as they are filthy rich, and there are people far more deserving of reward for the part they play in community life and easing the suffering of others.

"The deal is the Exchequor gets the revenue from the Royal Estate last figures over £190 million and in exchange awards the "Civil Purse" about £60 million - You tell me SFB who's coming out ahead."

Teribus, I can't find this figure on the net, could you provide a ref please? According to wikipedia the Queen's tax details are voluntary and secret.