I'm sure it's excessive.
Can you post what Elizabeth Windsors postion is/was on any major issue such as the war in Iraq?
the queen as head of state is not allowed to express an opion (in public) about any policital stance that may lead her into conflict with the goveremnt of the day, in theory she can sack the goverment and a general election would ensue - (the queen is head of all armed forces and an oath to her is given)
If the goverment won the election - the queen would have to abdicate (she would probably have to anyway just for sacking a sitting goverement)
In private the queen has a lot of pulling power , she can nudge policy makers , and also be a point of focus for negociations - a call from the Queenie is likely to be hear by any head of state, the queen being A policitcal does give a certain credous (?)
as to the cost of the lesser royals - total agree - Queenie (and her husband ) Charles and the two princes should be supported to a certain degree - as they do most of the offical ceremonies .. Andrew is just in it for the golf,Anne does do a lot of good work - but is still freeloading to a degree and that other sop , well enough said
mind you the Duchess of Kent is fab - she does so much charity work and it not just the face of it - she is invovled in childrens hospicies and actual gets down to meet and deal with parent and the childen - often attending the funerals