Mon Sep 23 22:04:13 UTC 2024: ## Royal Family Costs Taxpayers £510 Million Annually, Claims Anti-Monarchy Group

**London** – The Republic group, a campaign organization advocating for the abolition of the monarchy, has released a report claiming the true cost of the Royal Family to British taxpayers is a staggering £510 million annually. This figure, almost six times higher than the £86 million Sovereign Grant allocated by the government, includes factors like security costs, which the group estimates at £150 million.

“How can we talk about cutting the winter fuel allowance while wasting half a billion pounds on the royals?” questioned Graham Smith, Republic’s chief executive.

The report argues that the Sovereign Grant, which covers expenses such as staff, travel, and upkeep of royal buildings, only represents a fraction of the actual cost. It also highlights the “hidden costs,” such as the £99 million generated by the duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, which the group believes should be channeled to the public purse rather than funding the King and Prince of Wales.

The group further claims that royal residences could generate an additional £96 million in revenue if used for commercial purposes. Additionally, the report points to spending by local authorities on royal visits, adding to the overall financial burden.

Republic criticizes the current funding model as opaque and secretive, calling it a “scandalous abuse of public money.” They advocate for a more transparent system with a reduced budget of £5-10 million annually for the head of state and an annual salary of £189,000 for the King.

Buckingham Palace has declined to comment on the report. However, the latest Sovereign Grant accounts published in July show the funding for the Royal Household will remain at £86.3 million in 2024-25, increasing to £132 million in 2025-26. This increase reflects the rising income from Crown Estate investments, particularly offshore wind farms.

While the report emphasizes the costs, supporters of the monarchy argue for the economic benefits brought by the Royal Family, such as tourism boosts and overseas trade support. A recent YouGov survey found 55% of respondents believe the monarchy represents good value for money, while 30% view it as poor value. However, these figures reveal significant divides across different age groups, with older generations expressing stronger support and younger generations showing greater opposition.

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