CRAP WEDDING

The Windsor family are spending approximately $90 million on the wedding of Katie and Willie when poverty in Britain is at an unprecedented level. It's estimated that 20 percent of the population is now living in poverty.

The British people will be picking up the tab for the massive security operation, which includes deploying 5,000 police officers. Because the day is declared a public holiday, the costs will be higher than usual as officers will receive overtime.

In February this year new research from the Save the Children charity revealed that in some major British cities, nearly one in four children are now living in poverty. The charity says 1.6m youngsters live in "severe poverty" which it says is a "national scandal"

In 2005 one in seven British children were living under the poverty line.

Despite the severe levels of poverty and economic hardship, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Government has cut nearly $60 billion from benefits. Save The Children fears the number of children living without the basics will rise dramatically.

In sharp contrast the Windsor family aren't short of a few bob.

Queen Elizabeth, 85, has an estimated personal net worth of $500 million that comes from property holdings including Balmoral Castle in the Scottish Highlands, stud farms, a fruit farm and marine land throughout the U.K and extensive art collection.

As heir to the throne, Prince Charles got $28 million last year from the Duchy of Cornwall Estate.

Diana reportedly left both Prince William, 28, and Prince Harry, 26, $10 million after taxes. They started receiving annual dividends at age 25, estimated at $450,000 a year.

Perhaps only dimly aware that parading their opulent lifetstyle in front of the nation isn't exactly clever, the pomp and circumstance will still be brazenly exhibited for all to see.

Which will give Mark Sainsbury, Petra Bagust, John Campbell and co something to go ga ga over.