"Helloooooo!...Can you spare a quid?"

The Guardian news organization reports that the Queen is short of cash. Who isn't? you might ask. Like many non-profits, the Queen has been forced to tap reserve funds to maintain the royal household, particularly focusing on upkeep of royal residences. The situation at Buckingham Palace is allegedly so acute that a piece of the facade once fell off and narrowly missed Princess Anne!

And what does it cost the average Brit to maintain the monarchy? About 69pence per person each year--or about $1.15. And when will the queen's cash reserves run out? At current rates, by the year 2012.

Things are tough all over.