Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Queen and royals cost 66p per person

Pa
Friday 27 June 2008 12:39 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Queen and the Royal Family cost the taxpayer 66p per person last year - an increase of 4p, Buckingham Palace accounts revealed today.

The total cost of keeping the monarchy in the year to 31 March increased by £2m to £40m, royal accountants said.

The amount spent on official royal travel rose, as did the Queen's Civil List - funds used to cover the cost of the monarch's official duties as head of state.

But Palace officials highlighted for the second year running the backlog of essential maintenance projects that need to be carried out to royal palaces.

Sir Alan Reid, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said: "Expenditure on royal travel, which will vary from year to year, also increased in response to the number of overseas visits undertaken at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UK Trade and Investment.

"During the current year, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport confirmed that the grant-in-aid for the maintenance of the palaces would remain at £15 million per annum for at least the next three years.

"With no increase in funding for 12 years, the backlog in essential maintenance projects has continued to grow. In the absence of any increase of funding, the backlog of work is estimated at £32 million in today's money."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in