So Prince William has been jollying around the country in a Chinook helicopter. Of course, he has been flying helicopters as part of his training with the RAF. I'd expect helicopter training to involve all sorts of simulated missions and combat scenarios. But amazingly, more than £50,000 of public money has been spent on trips including flying the helicopter to land owned by his girlfriend's parents, and to a cousin's stag night on the Isle of Wight. Given that the Prince only had ten days of Chinook training, these trips seem bizarre, when normal airmen and women have to undertake far more gruelling tasks.
These episodes might seem trivial, but serve to further discredit the royal family's image. Most people are currently struggling to pay their bills and mortgage, and would find it difficult to accept this sort of showing off.
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Except that when, earlier this year, Her Majesty the Queen cancelled what would have been a lavish party to celebrate her diamond wedding anniversary, it was rumoured (although not certain) that this was because of the "credit crunch" and because she did not want to be holding too extravagant an occasion when others were having to cut back. Republic UK (or whatever it chooses to call itself) accused Her Majesty of party political bias. Damned if they do and damned if they don't, it would seem.
Ok, so the monarchy are concerned about how the public might view their extravagant spending in the light of the credit crunch. It is still the costliest monarchy in Europe, as highlighted here http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2008/jul/24/monarchy.taxandspending
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