From our tv critic Sir Howard Elston (DOA).
Furious viewers have written to top level media bosses complaining about coverage of a large extended transient family living off the state and not working as shown in the controversial tv show Benefits Palace.
The 123-part documentary, filmed in an unnamed part of London, shows a royal family supported by maximum benefits, refusing to find employment and shifting aimlessly from one home to another as they scrounge off the taxpayer.
One irate viewer told me: ‘This is unfair. The Royal Family brings a sense tradition and history to this fair country of ours and helps us live in the illusion that it is 1888.‘
‘They do things like cut ribbons at leisure centres, go to horse shows and wear nice uniforms.’
‘Why should they be highlighted and set up for ridicule?’
Charles: street begging to get cash
In the tv show, royals are shown to:
- have their butlers crack their eggs for them
- go on foreign trips when they are without a visible means of support
- sponge off Silk Road dictators in exchange for a pocketful of food stamps
- visit factories wearing hardhats asking banal questions to wage earners
Many of the royals, the show contends, are totally supported by their annual dole check from the taxpayer- though some have been known to join the armed forces and protect Britain to earn their keep.
The Storm in a Palace comes as the annual cost to the taxpayer of supporting the Queen is rising by £5m, following changes to the way the monarch’s role is funded.
Andy: Likes to dress up
And, it also erupted as a watchdog group of politicians say that Buckingham Palace, the public housing unit where the family lives, should be opened up more so the Royals don’t spend spend spend‘ all their benefit dole.
Phil, a long-serving president of the George VI Fan Club, and owner of Phil’s Value Auto-Mart in Ilkley Moor commented:”Three cheers for the Windsors and the Wales.. errr.., that’s about it, basically.”
@sirhowardelston