americans dont get it because our government is based on logic, not tradition. in any case however, the UK is still a top country and is older than the US, so they must be doing something right.

Our government may be BASED on logic, but those currently involved are not logical at all.

Salary for what? She does represent the people of England, but that amount of money is excessive, considering that many people in Ireland and very poor. I would be aggravated if I lived there.

Does she really need to have that lifestyle? Buying a Rolls Royce every year is not really a "necessity". Instead, our "royalty"-Congress- just steals that money under the table.

Most Brits will argue that the Queen more than pays for herself by attracting tourists. I haven't researched the actual numbers but I'm an American so I don't really care. It's their money, they can do whatever they please with it.

Wake up guys. 56 million is pocket money for the queen. the family foundation counts in trillions, not millions. who do you think owns most of the preferred stock of British petroleum? The "royal family" has been plundering the world for over a thousand years and you think they are simple millionaires?. This woman controls a whole lot more then you understand.

Juneau--do you KNOW how much it costs to keep the PRESIDENT? I mean, just mowing the White House lawn? All the people needed to keep it CLEAN? Utilities, etc? Secret Service, Air Force 1,2, &3, plus the helicopters, limousines, etc? Now just imagine that we also maintained past presidents homes (oops, we do for some! Monticello, etc. not no mention a bunch of grossly boring presidential libraries.

The deal with the royal family is that they have MANY 'castles and palaces and estates, and most are at least partially open to the public. When the president of the US comes for a state visit to England, he may meet the PM at 10 Downing St., but the STATE dinner is at Buckingham Palace, and that dinner, and numerous other similar 'state dinners' come out of this money. So does the salaries of the STAFF for all those royal homes, which need a lot of folks just to keep them clean and in good repair.

The country doesn't PAY the Queen a salary, they PAY to maintain the Royal households. SHE is disgustingly rich, NOT because of this money, but because a nice AMERICAN man left Queen Victoria all his money because he thought it was shameful for her to have to beg parliament for candle money.

Victoria's husband, and advisors/heirs did a GOOD job of investing that money, and as a result, she is one of the richest women in the world, NOT because of what she gets from the government, but because of her family.

And some years ago, she volunteered to begin paying income tax, which had not been required of her, and in her 'annus horiblis' when all her kids were being randy, Buckingham Palace caught fire (state rooms, yet) and she personally picked up a lot of the expense of restoring it.

And Irespond--I REALLY doubt if the queen buys a Rolls every year. The whole royal family has a tendency to being pretty thrifty. And when she wants to 'put on the dog' all she has to pull out one of the many carriages (most hundreds of years old! And keeping all of THEM is a wise move, too, as I paid good bucks to go see them in the Mews of Buckingham Palace when I was in London. And the Brits periodically grouse about what the Royals cost to 'keep up' until someone actually does the research and realizes the tourism more than makes up for that expenditure.

PS--many of the crowns and Tiaras that Elizabeth wears were 'picked up for a song' by Queen Victoria when other European royal houses fell on hard times and had to 'liquidate.'

The only time she wears 'crown Jewels' is usually for the opening of Parliament.

“One of the strongest natural proofs of the folly of hereditary right in kings, is, that nature disapproves it, otherwise, she would not so frequently turn it into ridicule by giving mankind an ass for a lion.”
― Thomas Paine, Common Sense

Rock, our government is not based on logic. It's based on emotion and hostility. It's been at war nearly 100 years. It's at times segregated people by color. It makes laws that only suit people who make 1,000 times what the queen makes. I'd rather a monarchy, at least you may end up with one who cares about their country and its population.

Ours doesn't.

you are so right. The British want a referendum to get these people out.

@MOmaid, I suppose its nice to know that you are one of 0.8% that support a Monarchy.

As I write this, I have 12 bucks in my pocket, so it is very clear to everyone that I do not understand republican reasoning that ceo's making 30, 40 ,even 50 million a year need to cut union pay because union workers pay of $20 per hour is too high and it's killing the company forcing them to move overseas to cheaper workers making $20 a day, so they can now get their much needed raise What really surprises me is, so many people that are just as broke as I am agree with republicans that unions, not corporate greed is the problem.

Momaid, you must add here in the Grand U.S. of A. we also maintain the incomes of the President and congress after only serving one term. I myself have to work 30 plus years to see any kind of retirement. At least the queen brings revenue into the country, I went to England and the first place I went to see was Buckingham Palace.

At a time when Britain is in recession and many families are feeling the pinch of higher household costs and taxes, the Queen's allowance will rise to 36 million pounds from 30 million pounds,

rockmebritney

americans dont get it because our government is based on logic, not tradition. so they must be doing something right.

LOL Yes, you are doing something, just like the 1%ers of America are doing. While the poor and middle class are being squeezed to death, the rich and famous are squeezing them harder!

topane725I do not understand republican reasoning that ceo's making 30, 40 ,even 50 million a year need to cut union pay because union workers pay of $20 per hour is too high....What really surprises me is, so many people that are just as broke as I am agree with republicans that unions, not corporate greed is the problem.

Don't know what this has to do with the current topic of the Queen getting a raise. But that said, No one is upset about "private" unionized employees, they are upset about "public" unionized employees. Cities, States & our government are going broke because we the "tax payers", not private corporations, are having to dole out money to pay for outlandish benefits. You and I are paying higher property taxes, sales taxes, gas taxes, income taxes and every darn fee you can think of, to pay "public" workers who have ten times better benefits then you or I and far higher wages then "private" sector. Public Workers should not be union workers, period. They work or are suppose to work for you and I, not some Corporate CEO.

Now lets get back on topic...the Queen.

Just one more thing...why do federal employees get a bonus?

All of you people defending a monarchy... please educate yourselves and go read history! Remember why our country started a thing called the American Revolution? Because of the tyranny of a monarchy, and all his insane laws and taxations. You defend the Queen, and its either this: oh shes broke and has no power, therefore she can move into a simple house outside of the palace and be like the rest of us, or shes utterly rich with the power to save the debt ridden european countries and refuses to do so. do some research on the so called royal family, you'd be amazed at how corrupted they really are.

This is a misleading headline. First, In UK the Monarchy has less power than any member of the Parliament. The office of the queen is like any other Secretary with stuff members , the Monarchy also has a big duty as members of the Diplomacy , they do a lot of charity , bu at the end the the British make more money of them, they make hundred of millions with the wedding of Prince William selling royalties for the event. You have to be a British to understand how important their queen is for them. However , we have Obama and Lady Michelle here , the British have their Queen Elizabeth II.

How disgusting. For doing what????? For raising a bunch of spoiled snots who think they are above everybody else? Royalty my rear end. What a bunch of crap. They all need to get a real job.

what is an old woman going to do with 56 miiloion a year she does nothing but show her face we live in a stupid world.

$56 million! Holy cow. That is as much as a decent baseball player makes!

So few people have so much of the riches, while the rest of the world suffers just to try and make ends meet... There are children in America (Some your neighbors) that go to bed hungry every night, while the extreme right wing are fighting for Bush tax breaks for their rich buddies...

I really don't care what the English do, I'm concerned about what we are not doing here.... Where are the jobs Mr. Boehner? How many rounds of golf did you get off today? How many job bills did you pass?

$56 million! Holy cow. That is as much as a decent baseball player makes

Obama spends more than that flying airforce one to fundraisers.

Not including meals , Secret Service , lodging, local security , preparation , or any other expenses.

Just for Obama to fly to Cali for a LBGT fundraiser,, the costs to fly 5 hours ONE WAY is $910,000

She can have it! I personally am glad I wasn't born into some royal family. Imagine your whole life, from birth until dealth all decided out for you; what you can eat, where you have to be, what you can do, what you can say, who you can marry and on and on... Added to that are the cameras following you around reporting to the world everything you do. Yes, you may be born into wealth and have people serving you, but it's at the cost of your own personal freedom.

The concept of royalty seems completely obsolete and I don't understand their true purpose other than perhaps for the sake of nostalgia and tourist dollars. Honestly they are multi million dollar welfare cases. The photograph looks like it could have been taken in 1910 with the hat and diamond. I hope she gives the entire raise to some good cause which benefits those in need or suffering.

President Obama will attend six fundraisers today in Maryland and Pennsylvania, a series of cash collection events that bring his total number of fundraisers held for his reelection bid up to 160, according to figures maintained by CBS News’ Mark Knoller.

That, again according to Knoller, is more than double the 79 events that President George W. Bush had held at this same time in the 2004 presidential race.

Washington post 06/12/2012

Must be nice to be Bon Jovi who gets free rides to fundraisers on AF1

Terry-CA

All the job's bills got stuck in Harry Reid desk. By the way, Obama spend more time playing golf than creating jobs, and spend more having vacation in Martha's Vinnard, Spain, Mexico, Hawaii than any other US president. When our economy is in recession he and his family spend millions. This is even worst that the queen of England. I guess Obama is the new King because he wants to rule has a King or a Dictator.

Randy whatever your feelings are I respect them but your icon and comment sort of allude to a total obsession with Obama. This is an article about the royal family in England.

I was simply pointing out that it costs lots of money to fund the head of a country and 56 million is chump change and is based on her investments making money. If the English economy goes in the crapper her income does too.

If I wanted to Bash Obama spending sprees I would have mentioned all the vacations that costs hundreds of millions in tax payers dollars. I brought up the fund raising since that is part of the electoral process and all presidents use AF1 for that goal.

My point is 56 million is a tiny sum vs the billions the Royal estate is worth. Also our POTUS is using tax money vs. the Queen is living off "her" personal investments.

Thanks for your input -- justatthought I wasn't clear in my post TY sir

**off topic** my pic is from a Russian website I saw 2yrs ago and the article was talking about the rolling debts Obama was racking up and showed that pic. I thought it funny and appropriate so I used it.

President Obama will attend six fundraisers today in Maryland and Pennsylvania

As opposed to Mitt Romney that does not need to campaign for any money. The GOP and its followers ALWAYS have tons of money to give away. Just ask Paul Ryan, that paid the re-election of Scott Walker. Walker spent as much money defending his sorry job as Bill Clinton spent on his FIRST campaign as president. Sixty something millions just to make sure that he stays in the job 2 more years. Talk about a WASTE.

Mitt Romney has a lot more money than President Obama stashed for his campaign. If he could only have as half of his intelligence.

I could go into the Constitutional importance and psychological significance of the British Royal Family but I have a feeling nobody would actually listen.

HOWEVER, it is nice to see that the pay level is directly linked to the Crown Estate's profits. Would that all the CEOs of shareholder owned businesses had their pay pegged like that. Over the past 20 years the average pay of a CEO of a FTSE100 company has risen by more than 500% while the actual value of the companies they lead has dropped by some 15% over the same time period. Maybe they'd do a better job if their wage was directly influenced by their comanies' profitability.

As for notions of Her Majesty owning Trillions of pounds, controlling the world, pulling the strings behind the scenes, etc. Methinks too much attention is being paid to the likes of Alex Jones and David Icke. Although she's never taken a blood-test to prove she's NOT a 12-foot tall shapeshifting lizard! Suspicious surely..... she must be hiding something! ;)

tracifrost

@MOmaid, I suppose its nice to know that you are one of 0.8% that support a Monarchy.

I seriously doubt it is that low or low at all. It so many want to oust the royal family then why has it not happen. If that many were so discontent, i would think they'd revolt if the gov did not oblige.

topane725

As I write this, I have 12 bucks in my pocket, so it is very clear to everyone that I do not understand republican reasoning that ceo's making 30, 40 ,even 50 million a year need to cut union pay because union workers pay of $20 per hour is too high and it's killing the company forcing them to move overseas to cheaper workers making $20 a day, so they can now get their much needed raise What really surprises me is, so many people that are just as broke as I am agree with republicans that unions, not corporate greed is the problem.

Do the math, 50 mill a yr for one person is not as much as thousands or tens of thousands making $20/hr

Well I for one could careless about how much money a person makes, ask Steve Jobs if all that money did anything for him, or any of the countless RICH that are now in the ground. Didn't help them one bit did it.

republican reasoning that ceo's making 30, 40 ,even 50 million a year

topane - This is not just a Republican or Democrat issue - What you need to understand is that all you have to do is stop purchasing from the companies that you feel pay their leadership too much. Do I think it's bad business to pay THAT much? In some ways I do, but nevertheless, it's not my call to make, nor anyone else's for that matter. That is for the investors and the boards of directors to decide.

We have the freedom to vote with our dollars. If you spread the word, (perhaps through forums like this one), do a little research and site some fact and data as to why you think these people should not earn as much as they do, and reach enough people - then perhaps they'll stop purchasing from these companies as well, and salaries will go back down)

Or... it could just be that some of these people know how to guide a large company in such a way as to keep the current employees employed (in an economy where many employers simply do not have that skill or the cash flow to do so), keep the demand for their product or services high, and manage to pay a little to the investors as well, (including retirement funds, charities, etc.) which makes them just that valuable to the company, thereby justifying that type of salary.

Now I think her majesty is just a swell human being, in fact did pretty well last year in real estate projects. They got badly hurt by the mortgage recession. Certainly, as the portfolio improves, the British economy will benefit. When your savings accounts top L7 billion, everything you do has a great impact. I also see wind farms on the portfolio estates. They must be experts by now, so hope they can compete at the next America's Cup!

Our pres may not get 56 mil a year, but w/ all the expenses that are accrued thru him he is not that far off. Do your home work and see how much is spent on the pres in 1 year in this country. You may want to renounce your citizenship.

Don't forget our 14 TRILLION debt problem we have. That didn't happen because our gov. officials aren't making money. It's actually pretty sicking to read about.

We really needed to dive in a great depression to make people like yepyup123 feel what it's like when, no jobs, no food, no hope is there. We are spoiled so bad, we have no idea how lucky we are right now.

rockmebrittney--I would bet that the upkeep on OUR president, the WHITE HOUSE, all the planes, helicopters, and limos, staff, Secret Service, Camp David et all is ALSO about that amount.

And nope, from the time of King John of Magna Carta fame (when the Nobles forced him to sign away all royal 'holdings') (his great great grandfather (one more great?) was William the Conqueror, and his brother was Richard the Lionheart, and all that happened 1000 years ago, and from that time to this, ENGLAND owned the castles and palaces, and 'suffered the monarch' to live there.

Elizabeth's vast wealth was LEFT to her family by an AMERICAN. He thought it was disgraceful that she didn't have any money of her own.

And her income mentioned in this article is BIGGER because the property that it is derived from made a profit in the last 2 years.

And bob--yes, the queen DOES put money into the system. She pays taxes. And she DID (voluntarily, I might add) TAKE a 'pay cut'. And every one of those castles and palaces BELONG to England.

Except, of course, Balmoral, which Victoria and Albert bought, and which the queen totally pays for.

yepyup: It's almost 16 Trillion. But hey, what's another trillion here or there? To these clowns in DC, apparently nothing.

She gets to keep 15%, after tax, of what ever her investments made two years prior - that means the gvernment gets 85% of that even after they have taxed her. Hmmm... can't see too many of us being happy with that piece of math!

She gets to live in gorgeous state owned palaces (over 700 rooms in Buckingham palace alone with a staff of over 800) and has to pay for their up keep out of 12.9 million pounds - an amount unchanged since 1990. And even when those State owned building need upkeep and major repair, she is responsible for financiling that (remember the fire at Windsor Palace?) Charles pays for himself (proceeds from the Duchy of Cornwall - last year 28 million pounds more than 3/4 is given away to charities) and his kids earn their keep through their jobs in the military. The only one still on the Civil List is Prince Philip who receives 359,00 pounds per annum. The lesser Royals who still perform royal duties are paid by a Parliamentary Annuity which is repaid to Parliament by the Queen from her 15%.

So in addition to tons of tourist dollars, the thousand employed directly and indirectly... I figure that the math is coming out firmly on the side of Britain.

It all depends on how the media CHOES to tell it. Do they tell everything her money is used for or do they spin it like she keeps it all. Do they explain that the raise is because the income for the holdings increased?

the "all in budget" to run the White House is some where near 1.5 billon a year.

rockmebritney - "Americans don't get it because our government is based on logic, not tradition."

You may want to re-think that our government is based on logic. I haven't seen the "logic" in our government yet! Please tell me where that is hiding? I would really like to see where logic is being used in our government.

Hey mosh,there's only ONE group of 1%er's in the US,and we are BIKERS!!

The best situation for the wealthy are when the masses are out of jobs, hungry and desperate. Throw in our government leaders to talk about duty and patriotism so people are crying out to die for our country and Walla - we get a war with Iran and more profits for the rich and the only cost is the blood of the poor!

what are they paying these royal pains in the butts to do?this king and queen bs is nothing but a fairy tale they are good for nothing

It's not really a raise. It's .... wait for it .... royalties.

It would make sense if you'd bother to read more than the headline.

Considering the digression from the current article, with the typical diatribe about our current administration ... THAT WAS SIMPLY HILARIOUS! On an even lighter note.... How 'bout those BRONCOS?

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN

EU--they DO elect a head of state.

No, they only elect the head of government. The prime minister is head of government, the queen is head of state -- not just in the UK, but of 16 other commonwealth nations including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Jamaica.

Since the Queen doesn't do anything except host dinners and greet people, then Walmart need to seriously reconsider how much they pay their greeters.

Srich

I agree with you on this one.

Body guards for former presidents I agree with. As for their pensions they should be modest at best . Congress's pensions should be cut by at least 2/3 or eliminated all together. The last thing we need ( but already have ) is professional politicians .

Srich, so by your lights, since the US is in the tank, the Obama's should have to not eat meat every day, and use lower watt light bulbs? Oooh, but the WHITE HOUSE is a tourist attraction. SO is Buckingham Palace, et al. Do you KNOW how many people in England would be ALSO thrown out of jobs if they 'got rid of the royal family?

I have long said that after one year no more Secret Service. NO need for every speaker of the huse to have an free office and staff the rest of their life. So what is with the nearly free barbers for the Senate? The Senators do not apy their barbers ebnough so YOU subsidize the shop. HUH?

Mo- Obama is the President- The Queen is in a purely symbolic role. I am speaking of past presidents requiring tens of millions of $$$ each year for their upscale lifestyle. I don't require Millions for light bulbs or meat. You sound goofy.

Wherever George Soros wants them.

You did read the article closely enough to realize that this is NOT 'spending money' for the Queen? It's not her 'clothing allowance'. It's for the upkeep and maintenance of the royal residences and the pay for the staff.

Queen Elizabeth's 'SPENDING money'comes from family money that was left to Queen Victoria.

And the people who are paid to manage it have done a good job. Sorry if you are jealous of that.

MOmaid you can preach that until you are blue in the face, they only see dollar amounts. Americans lets take a look at what it cost here in the U.S. to maintain our government buildings. Total Cost of All White House Elements, for fiscal year 2008: $1,592,875,254

http://theintrepid.blogspot.com/2008/11/how-much-does-it-cost-to-operate-white.html this will give you the break down.

Think about the millions of $$$ it takes to maintain the 14,000 empty buildings that the GSA "manages". Why are these buildings not on the market? If sold, they would be taxable, therefore, an asset rather than a liability.

No she won't since that is not a spending allowance.

you support her more then you know. with hidden trillions in the family foundation and you still pay her millions lol. This is the reason that some of your fellow brits created America. But now we have become as owned as you. When this queen dies i will be singing a song from the wizard of OZ. ding dong the........

yep your'll be singing the same song like the rest us! I hope then when the ol girl finally pops off that will be the end of the Monarchy.

tracifrost--sorry but during the Jubilee, various news agencies were polling, and support for the Queen was sitting at about 90%.

And they like William and Kate almost as much.

MOmaid, i think your'll find that those 'news agencies polling' as you put it, are one in the same. (last count there were 6 news agencies and if you care to do some research, they are manipulated by guess who?)

Pretty much like, when Diana was murdered and the Queens coroner was part of the investigations.

Now, wouldnt that be like asking Jack the Ripper to investigate the Whitechapel Murders?

Wasn't there a theory that Jack the Ripper was a royal?

Too many natural born US citizens that are not of the "right" social class or ethnicity, are treated as second class humans let alone citizens while being subjected to all manner of jokes, sterotypes and discrimination. One then could infer that the US is, "......Still living in the dark ages."

GOD BLESS US ALL

Really? who told you that?

Just like, if the banks go under, what will we do??? You move on and forward with what you have.

Let me put something into perspective for you, The banks in the UK and the US have had enough money from the tax payer to pay off every single persons mortgage in the UK and the US. Just think about that for one moment. EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

there is only one reason that the banks keep getting the bail outs from the government, without the bailouts the banks would have to become regulated by the consumer. Think about that for a second too.

Thats why for the time being the US and the UK banks keep getting government handouts, it would have been better spent paying off as mentioned above, everybodys mortgage.

Greed and Capitalism are virtually destroying the human race and our planet. and as Michael Jackson said and John Lennon before him and Bono and all these brave couragious individuals.

WAKE UP PEOPLE! WAKE UP. First the monarchy should go, then the media that manipulate and suppress the people!!!!

French Revolution I gave the world Napoleon Bonaparte. Who will French Revolution II give us?

uummmmm . wrong. The US spends more than $36 million on presidential travel alone, FFS.

yep and not only that google, how much the US paid last year to the British Monarchy! (would make your toes curl).

The US doesnt have a monarchy but it sure as hell contributes in financially supporting it! The Federal reserve pay the QOE too every single year.

Have you not read anything here? She gives money to the government. The government if a portion of it back to her. It her own friggin' money!!

This is NOT tax $$$.

Good lord, people, read the entire article. You're making the rest of us waste time yelling at you....