Alex - I'm not sure that we do understand each other. I would leave "the State" out of this crown business.
"the State" is a concept too which, in this day and age could mean anything! If we got opinions from a dozen QCs we would probably have a dozen different opinions.
I think "the State" means the people, the parliament, and the crown. All of that and possibly more.
--Previous Message-- : I just read your explanation below and I am : happy you see my point! What annoys me is : much too often the press or some authors : infer some of these "Crown" items : belong to the State in the same way the : Crown Estate does and I think that is wrong. : "Heirlooms of the Crown" is an : interesting way to put it, but I think : "heirlooms of the Monarch" would : have been even more to the point if our : theory is indeed correct. :