Your right BarnslyGull it has nothing at all to do with it.

Same here.
I love travelling but I love coming back too.

Don't give a sh*t about those - this is a fans forum.

I think the American bit might be right, but not the other two. The perception I've always had is that she thought becoming a royal meant becoming a celebrity, and the American version is making simpering videos where you pull a very concerned face as you tell people how to live their lives, whilst doing the opposite. I think she was popular until she started preaching and was exposed as a hypocrite (preaching climate warning whilst swanning around on private jets, and holding hugely extravagant baby showers when preaching about poverty, travelling to it by private jet).

My guess is that she didn't realise that being a royal meant that they served us, not the other way around.

The American version of celebrity is not cutting ribbons on some leisure centre in a forgotten northern town, shaking hands with the puffed-up mayor as some bloke in a mac holds a brolly over your head. Kate gets it. She might loathe it for all we know, but she realises that it's part of the job, the reason they get the cash.

MM is the Kardashian version of the royal family, and I think it grates.

Newspapers will go after what will sell advertising space.

Much like massive lefty’s will go after what generates the most faux rage.

The UK is what you make of it. My family told me for years “there nothing for you here son, Country is on it’s knees” (I’m sure you can picture that northern parental sentiment).

I lived abroad 15 years, and now I’m back, I look at that sentiment, very much still alive and well (I’m not saying you are in that group), and I love it here. I loved it 20 years ago when I left, and I missed the place when I’d gone.

From time to time it’s hard not to be affected by the constant negativity, sneering, sniping etc, but there is nowhere else on earth like the UK. I’m in it for the architecture, sports, open country and accessibility to the EU.

Overseas, I lived in a sunny country, with the best version of our great game played every week within 20 minutes of my house - but that country is lacking in a little bit of something (class, for starters..) but had lots of benefits that I was forever grateful for. It wasn’t / isn’t very sophisticated, it’s a day from anywhere on a plane, (ok, so only 4 hours to Fiji), but as it’s so different you can’t draw a comparison.

I’m still questioned by people I’ve known for years as to “why the hell have you come back you idiot?”. Fair question, and yes I’ve now got 2 passports which makes things a little easier - but it really is each to their own.

Yes, it was myself you spoke to. It would have been around 2016.

We went to Malta, and spent just under 4 years there. As a family, although there were challenges and things that were different, such as school times, work culture and Kalimas, as a whole, we don’t regret it for a minute, and one day will probably head back, but as things are different now for us, it will be in time and when the time is right.

The outdoor lifestyle, coupled up with a bit more sun, is healthy and it also makes you feel better I think.


It’s not for everyone, but what I will say, if any of your friends and family were to think about it, give them chance to try it and find out for themselves

That's why the "royals" are a complete waste of time.

Mmm.. you’ll not come back the the U.K. I suppose if you have a medical problem.
Of course not !

To be honest, I've experienced hospitals overseas on holiday in the Greek Islands and away on business, following a nasty insect bite, and found the service and care I received, second to none.

Ok well let’s hope they were ok for that but I mean much more serious health issues- there’s not free NHS there and a lot of ex-pats can’t get back here quick enough when there’s a problem.
Just irks me that they bad mouth the U.K. and spend their money elsewhere until reality kicks in.
The U.K. is the best country in the world for many reasons.

They are not backing him at all. He has lost duties as well, just more quietly.

Agree 100% on the NHS but struggling to find owt else, my pension would be available no matter which country I was in and live comfortably and I’m sure my aches and pains would be less in warmer climates. Don’t get me wrong I’m an English man through and through and that’s the problem I’m proud of it....but... I’m afraid of what the future holds the way things are going. My age I’m afraid will probably be against me and also the wife so probably wishful thinking