I have little time for Royalty, the only good, politically, that they seem to do is occupy a position in the parade of the 'great and good' that would otherwise be held by a President Thatcher or Blair.
The hangers on, sorry minor royals, are something of a waste to my mind....
BUT....
I think the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh are worth their weight in gold to this country.
He has had a propensity to insert his foot in his mouth at times, but on the whole I think the UK is a better place for us all because he was the consort. The Duke of Edinburgh's awards and many of his other charities have been a boon to many. While he's clearly an upper class twit at times the good he's done offsets the gaffs, and his support for hunting, shooting and fishing most of which I don't get my approval.