[ysbel]

I think Margaret got away with a lot because the Queen put the throne on a more secure position with her relatively early marriage to Philip and stable family life with him and her children Charles and Anne. For most people, Margaret was an entertaining non-factor in contrast to the dutiful but sometimes staid Queen.

Charles' and William's position is not that secure; they've both faced criticism, first there is an element to the population that wants Charles off the throne because of Camilla which is a shame because I think he is the most stable of the lot and secondly William himself seems a bit aimless despite being considerably older than Beatrice. Harry, who is second in line, has also faced his fair share of criticism for public drunkenness, the Nazi costume, etc. I don't think Beatrice would be so much a factor if Charles' and William's position were more secure.

As a Princess, Beatrice doesn't get anything from the Civil List and any income she gets outside of a regular job would have to come from her father or the Queen. So in absence of a public paycheck, Beatrice's accountability comes from her family. If they don't want to make her accountable that is a shame but since Beatrice is fifth in line to the throne is it really a matter of a royal crisis? At the age of 19 I do think Beatrice deserves a break now because she is just getting out on her own. In a couple of years if she is still clinging to Mummy then I'd say she has a problem.

What disturbs me is that people expect the same accountability from these families that inherit their position as they do from politicians that campaign and get votes to win their office. For the heir perhaps yes, but for the other members of the family it starts getting unrealistic. If people want that type of accountability even from someone like Beatrice who is fifth in line to the throne and whi is not getting any public monies to the throne perhaps it is time to rethink and have another form of government.