In a telling demonstration of how a feudal institution exercises and holds on to power in Britain the News of the World has reported that the Windsor family has decided that it is wise to reduce the number of the feudal family’s members supported financially by the people.
The report says that the Windsors’ Way Forward Group has recommended that only four members of the clan be recognised as “royal”. The four chosen ones are to be queen Windsor, her son Charles and his two sons. Taxpayers would no longer have to pay directly for handouts to other clan members.
The newspaper report cites neither legislative nor executive branch involvement in the decision.
The £50m plus annual cost of protecting the Windsor multitude was stated to be a particular reason for the change. However the two chief Windsors would continue to take around £28m each year from the feudal “duchys” that are their main sources of income.
The News of the World said that Elizabeth Windsor hoped to fortify support for the feudal institution by appearing to be sharing the hardships suffered by citizens in a period in which spending on public services will be greatly reduced. Currently the family cost more than £110 a year.
The newspaper said there was an additional reason for the proposed reduction in the number of Windsors feeding off the people. Mr. Windsor senior, it reported, did not want to have to share the spotlight with too many other Windsors when he inherits the office of head of state from his mother..