YES, it has started. For the next five months, like it or lump it, we are all going to be brain-washed and have it rammed down our throats – I refer, of course, to the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

The Queen with Prince Phillip has started the Jubilee Nationwide tour. Also in the party is Kate Middleton, now awarded the honour as Duchess of Cambridge.

Meanwhile, in the Caribbean, Prince Harry has commenced the Royal Tour of the Commonwealth.

These functions have to be paid for, of course the taxpayers will have to cough up – oh no, not the Royals.

So jolly good show old chap, jolly hockey sticks, what, what?

On Christmas Day Kate Middleton changed her outfits six times at Balmoral, one of the many residences the Queen owns. Who was she trying to impress?

Recently Prince Phillip was highlighted nationally in hospital with eye problems. Discharged the next day, he was out shooting. Now what does that say about him?

What I cannot understand is how Prince Charles owns thousands of acres of land, plus property. Now commonsense tells us that this man is raking money in. No wonder he is having a mansion built just north of Ross-on-Wye.

This Government want­ed to sell off parts of the Dean. Well, of course, there was uproar and the Government backed off. But no doubt they will try again.

If there is a local historian out there I would like his or her views on the land and property Prince Charles owns.

And so to the big day itself, Jubilee Day, more money going up in smoke. It is estimated that this event will cost the taxpayer approx £100m.

The Queen is listed as one of the richest people in the world, if not the richest. She would not miss £100 nor would Charles.

– W. Jones, Steam Mills Road, Cinderford.