We got the social coverage of Archie yesterday. Today we wonder about the financial aspects of the new baby. What does he contribute to the British taxpayer?
Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle get 2.7 million visitors a year. The monarchy's annual contribution to the UK economy is estimated at around 1.8 billion pounds a year, with an additional tourism revenue of 550 million pounds. They work as ambassadors has been estimated to be worth 150 million pounds a year in increased trade.
Then there are the secondary recipients of revenue - all those newspapers who cover royal weddings and royal babies. That is valued at 50 million pounds a year. And the betting - it has been reported that baby-related bets totalled $1.3 million at the bookmaker William Hill.
Forbes reports that the royal infant could boost spending on baby products by about $1.5 billion. There's a lot of merchandise to commemorate the baby's birth. These limited edition items are already sold out. These are just a few of the immediate and clear benefits. There is an expectation of increased tourism numbers this year. And finally, there is the 'feel good' effect at a time of anxiety of Brexit. And how does this contribute? It is expected to boost spending across bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and museums.
So Archie is quite the contributor to the British economy: we are in the era of "Money Reigns". The monarchy will remain popular for quite a while.
Today's picture is an amazing abstract sky picture from a few years ago. It seems like marble to me.
The headline says "The meaning behind the royal baby's name". I hope it has meaning, as it seems a strange and unusual choice. The bookmakers had Alexander, Arthur and Albert. Who would guess that the name Archie is in the top 50 names since 2003. CNN claims that instead of a traditional royal name, they chose a name they loved. So there aren't really any Archies or Harrisons among the names of any British monarchs or their immediate offspring.
So it turns out there is no meaning behind the name. The Royal family succession tree is shown in the articles with its colour coding for royal bloodline, in line to the throne, married and divorced. Archie is seventh in line to the throne, so does not quality immediately for the title of prince. He has the right to use his father's second peerage title, Earl of Dumbarton. When Prince Charles becomes King, Prince Harry's son will automatically become His Royal Highness Prince Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
Rules abound with the royal family - they have had centuries to make rules. Here's the note on the Queen's purse and its social signals:
"The Queen isn't one to be rude, and so her purse is used to send subtle social signals. When she places her clutch on the table at dinner, it means it's time to wrap things up–so consider the bite you're reaching for your last. When she swaps her purse from her left hand to her right, it means she'd like to finish up her conversation."
This little Fritilleria is blooming in the garden now. What a strange and amazing checkerboard flower - I gave it an ornate background to match its mood.
