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The True Cost of the Royal Family Explained

50 videos recommended on HN
YouTube
1 HN user recommended this explainer1 month2013–2022 score 1
Years with an HN recommendation, 2007–2026

HN commenters cite it in monarchy debates as the explainer claiming the royals make money for the UK, with some disputing it.

CGP Grey breaks down what the British Royal Family costs the UK versus what it brings in, including income from royal-owned land. He concludes the government nets a profit from the arrangement.

“CGP Grey did a video explaining the true cost of the monarchy.” (HN, 2013)

1 recommendations · 9 citations · Explainers · partly dated

10 Hacker News comments

From the HN archive; up to 20 kept per video, favoring different commenters. Recommendations first.

@TamDenholm Apr 2013 Recommends
on HN thread Things that Americans find incomprehensible about the UK
Pretty interesting and i agree with all the points. One thing about the monarchy is the argument that they cost a lot. CGP Grey did a video explaining the true cost of the monarchy. [this video] Also, check out his channel, he does loads of amazing videos. [link]
Explains the true cost of the monarchy.

Citations, criticism and jokes

@GarrisonPrime Nov 2019 Cites it
on HN thread How to Hide a Billion Dollars
The True Cost of the Royal Family Explained, video by CGP Grey: [this video] too long; didn't watch: The royal family likely contributes quite significantly to the popularity of the UK tourism industry, which brings in FAR more money to the country than the institution costs to maintain, even considering all the royal salaries to pay, the palaces to maintain, public events to produce, security, etc. They also lease out a great amount of land to the country - to the wide benefit of the entire populace - for pennies of what it would cost the nation to purchase such land and resources outright.
Royals likely bring in far more than they cost.
@yunruse Nov 2019 Cites it
on HN thread Another reason Prince Andrew is a disgrace
It’s a good tourist attraction, to be entirely fair, it’s just that the extended royal family quickly descends into situations like these. You could also make the argument that profits from royal-owned land – which is handed over to Parliament in return for a fixed salary – saves each UK citizen over £2 in taxes per year [1]. [1] [this video]
Royal-owned land profits go to Parliament in return for a salary.
@afiori Jul 2022 Cites it
on HN thread Revealed: Queen’s sweeping immunity from more than 160 laws
Read more
The crown as a private entity gives more money to the state than it receives [this video] I do not have primary sources but according to GPC Grey in the video the royal family receives £45 millions and gives ~£200 millions In the same sense that the queen is the richest person in the UK it is also true that almost the entirety of her possession are handled (and profited) by the state. Quoting Wikipedia: [link] > On his accession, the Crown lands produced relatively little income; most revenue was generated through taxes and excise duties. George surrendered the Crown Estate to Parliamentary control in return for a civil list annuity for the support of his household and the expenses of civil government I have no opinion on the british royal family and honestly I don't see them keeping the title for more than two other generations, but it does not look like they are (currently) bleeding the country
Crown gives more money to the state than it receives.

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