Rumours have been spreading around Whitehall that former England captain, David Beckham, could be about to become knighted in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's honours list. If the 31 year old former England star does get knighted, it would mean his wife, Victoria, will be known as Lady Victoria, and the man himself will be known as Sir David Beckham.

I read a vast amounts of utter rubbish about the cost to 'the taxpayer' of the royal family; the Civil List is funded by profits from the Crown Estate; there is in fact NO cost to 'the taxpayer'.

Prior to 1760, the royal family received a grant from Parliament (which was indeed funded by taxes) of around £900 a year. It was, however, decided in 1760 that the whole cost of the Civil List should be provided by Parliament IN RETURN FOR the surrender - to the government - of the hereditary revenues, by King George III for the duration of his reign.