Royal family’s $56m income boosts ‘another nail in the coffin’: expert

The British royal family will see an abundance of greenery in 2025.

In April, the Sovereign Grant, which helps fund their activities, will increase by more than $56 million, People magazine reported. This will result in a whopping $165 million.

The publication noted that the Sovereign Grant is an amount paid by the British Treasury to the monarchy. The pay rise has already been described by critics as “scandalous” as the British government struggles to find funding for other budget items.

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A spokesman for Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

“It is accepted that the funds will be used to repair Buckingham Palace, but in reality the potential private wealth of the royal family could cover the cost,” royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital.

“It’s another nail in the coffin for the royal family … especially when many have lost their winter fuel allowance from the government. Many have to decide whether to eat or heat their homes for the winter.”

The increase was announced last year, People magazine noted. At the time, Buckingham Palace made it clear that much of the money would be invested in the $462 million ongoing renovation of the estate. The repairs are expected to be completed in 2027.

However, the palace did not specify how much money will go into the renovation.

“This is public money,” said Graham Smith, chief executive of the Republic City and country. The organization “campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy,” according to its website.

“All this money coming from the government at a time when the government is unable to properly fund schools, hospitals, the police… it’s scandalous,” Smith said. “Not only should it not be going up at all, it should be going down.”

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British royal expert Hilary Fordwich he stressed to Fox News Digital that the salary increase is not for King Charles III.

“Absolutely not,” she explained, noting that she funds all the working offices at Buckingham Palace and her staff.

“Other expenses include state banquets, hosting foreign heads of state, the cost of maintaining royal palaces used for state purposes, running the royal household in general, including all staff required for diplomatic functions, as well as garden parties to which the public are invited and the maintenance of royal estates. “

“Other funds are donated to their projects and charities for the public good,” she said. “Nothing about this is personal to King Charles III.”

However, Pelham Turner said the pay rise was not a good prospect for the royal family after Charles and Prince William came under fire in November.

The Sunday Times and a television program titled “The King, the Prince and Their Secret Millions” claimed that the King and his heir had been quietly raking in the money through their royal estates, the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall.

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The investigation alleges that the private estates took millions from public bodies, including the National Health Service and state-funded schools, as well as Britain’s armed forces, the New York Post reported.

The Duchy of Lancaster is a 44,748 hectare private estate in England and Wales held by the King as sovereign.

“The Duchy of Lancaster manages a wide range of lands and properties,” a spokesperson explained to Fox News Digital.

“It is self-funded and does not receive any public funding in relation to its activities,” the spokesman said. “It publishes an annual report and accounts that are independently audited and available for review on its website and comply with all relevant UK legislation and regulatory standards applicable to a range of its business activities.”

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The Duchy of Cornwall is a privately owned estate of almost 130,000 hectares in South West England William as Prince of Wales. The spokesperson also emphasized his private status to Fox News Digital.

“The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate with a commercial imperative which we achieve alongside our commitment to restoring the natural environment and creating a positive social impact in our communities,” the spokesperson said.

“Prince William became the Duke of Cornwall in September 2022 and has since devoted himself to the extensive transformation of the Voivodeship. This includes significant investment to make the property net zero by the end of 2032, as well as establishing targeted mental health support for our tenants and working with local partners to tackle homelessness in Cornwall.”

The Sunday Times claimed a five-month investigation revealed the duchies were making millions “billing government departments, councils, businesses, mining companies and the general public through a series of commercial rents and feudal levies on land largely confiscated by medieval monarchs.”

People magazine noted that the deal is problematic because the royals are said to operate as “commercial landlords” while benefiting from a special deal “that exempts them from paying tax on their corporate profits.”

“The Sovereign Grant increasing so significantly will cause more public uproar… especially after Charles and William’s Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall have sparked public outrage,” said Pelham Turner.

However, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted that repairs are needed at Buckingham Palace. Fordwich noted that the restoration was initiated by Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022 at the age of 96.

Buckingham Palace was the Queen’s primary residence during her reign until March 2020. At that time, she moved to Windsor Castle during the coronavirus pandemic. People magazine reported that the palace served as the official London residence of British monarchs as early as 1837.

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“The renovation of Buckingham Palace was essential because much of it, the most famous seat of any institution in the world other than the White House, was outdated and had not been renovated for decades,” he explained. “It should be noted that it is a working palace with staff. Its ceremonies, such as the Changing of the Guard, attract tourists. It is also a magnificent processional avenue for the Trooping of the Colour, as well as state visits and the opening of Parliament.”

“It’s been under renovation for over 10 years – it’s on budget and on schedule,” Fitzwilliams continued. “Buckingham Palace is undoubtedly the seat of the monarchy. It will continue to be. Renovations will continue until 2027… The price of the monarchy is… a bargain, in my opinion, at £1.29 per person. It’s the highest price in the world -the profile of the monarchy and the most prestigious projection of British soft power [also attracts] great media attention in the world and numerous tourists.”

People magazine reported that Charles, 76, is personally funding the refurbishment of his private suite at Buckingham Palace, which won’t be ready until 2027. A source previously told The Sunday Times that the monarchy “is aware that the public purse should not pay for personal touches. “

Charles is primarily based at Clarence House, which is “a short walk” from Buckingham Palace.

According to palace websitethe building hosts almost 100,000 guests and attracts over 15 million tourists every year. Its electrical wiring, plumbing and heating have not been updated since the 50s.

“The infrastructure of the building urgently needs a complete overhaul to prevent long-term damage to the building and its contents,” it was pointed out. “The most cost-effective way to replace these essential services and ensure the Palace is fit for purpose for the next 50 years is to undertake a phased program of works over ten years.

“The program will deliver a number of long-term financial and environmental benefits, as well as improving visitor access. The palace will remain occupied and fully operational during this time.”