European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 1, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                .�4vw6d6�lwix%,i of Foft Queen Beatrix and Claus von 4m$bei with their son Willem Alexander Are known As the bicycling royals. Now the most elaborate monarchy left in the world is Britain s Royal family and it is under growing pressure to scale Back. A a various scandals involving Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip s offspring have spurred Public debate Over possible abolition of the British monarchy. Quot my conclusion is that the monarchy in Britain is not in its Way out but it s been gravely weakened Quot said Geoffrey Smith Veteran political columnist for the times of London. Quot Public  such that they will take every Means to hold spending on the Royal family in . Anthony Holden an author who writes about British Royalty maintains that Money is the real reason for Public disapproval. Although Queen Elizabeth s Royal portfolio estimated at $10 billion reportedly  than $3.5 million a Day taxpayers Are spending $125 million a year to maintain the  Smith says he believes the monarchies that survive the 21st Century will be those that Are useful symbols of National Unity avoiding controversy and scandal a a requirement the younger generation of British royals thus far has conspicuously failed to meet Quot the essence of monarchy is that it is above the Battle Quot Smith says. Quot As soon As the family is embroiled in controversy its principal asset is  _ National Oso a Pulc Spain s King Juan Carlos above rides his Motorbike in Public. Bhutan s Kin Jigme single wan Chuck left plays basketball in his spare  feel the Pinch d debutantes used to make grand entrances into society at expensive balls financed by their parents. Today s european version of. Quot coming out Quot Means finding a sponsor to foot the Bill. And the prize in t a wealthy husband but the Opportunity to make a splash in the world of fashion Twenty seven Young women from France England Sweden and Switzerland paraded designer clothing across the Crillon hotel ballroom in Paris in Early november at an evening affair sponsored by pointed vue a weekly photo Magazine for and about aristocrats. The Magazine published shots of the debutantes in. Its next two issues. Swedish countess Bettina Bernadotte modelled gowns by Yves Saint Laurent. Diane de Yturbe wore clothes by Given Chy. Amelie de Macmahon appeared in dior fashions and Letizia Tarnowska in ones by Louis Feraud at a rehearsal the would be models appeared poised and professional. Afterwards they changed Back into jeans and their real life personae As hopeful  lives. Quot i love the clothes pm dying to be in fashion right now Quot said countess Bernadotte 19. A member of the swedish Royal family she Speaks several languages is studying Art history and works As an a pair in Spain. Quot i love clothes but mostly designer Azzedine Alaia like my Mother Quot said Marie de Noailles an 18-year-old parisian whose family has a Coteau in a Pinky East of Paris. Like Many of her contemporaries the photographer s assistant is modern and career oriented but still relished the idea of a coming out fete. The Debutante Ball was originally a Brit so concept aimed at finding wealthy socially a a a acceptable husbands for aristocratic Young ladies. The word Debutante French for Quot beginner Quot was adapted to describe a woman old enough to marry. Debutante balls and the presentation of Debs to the Queen of England began in the 18th Century under Queen Charlotte wife of George Iii. Parents paid a Small Fortune for Quot coming out Quot parties at which their daughters were presented to society. A Quot it was known As finding Park Gates Quot said Dalna Taylor an English Veteran of Debutante balls now living in Paris. Quot that meant the successful parents paying for the Ball came up winners if their daughter married aristocracy with Park or stately  s americans adopted a similar practice of holding splashy parties to introduce Young women resplendent in White dresses symbolizing purity. Times have changed and so have debutantes. Few Wear White anymore and Debs in England Haven t been presented to the Queen since the mid-1960s, although private debut parties still fill pages of society oriented magazines. The Paris event a part fashion show part photo of part Ball a is a uniquely French take on the Quot coming out Quot part. But watch out United states Point de vue Hopes to stage a similar event in new York next year. National geographic wednesday december 1,1993 the stars and stripes