Latest news with #BritishRoyalHousehold
Sky News AU
4 days ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
The staggering cost of King Charles and Queen Camilla's Australia tour laid bare in new royal accounts - and what Aussies paid for
The British Royal Household has published its annual Sovereign Grant Report, confirming the enormous cost of King Charles and Queen Camilla's historic trip to Australia and Samoa- the monarch's first official Commonwealth tour since his accession. According to the figures released on Monday, Their Majesties' 11-day visit in October 2023 racked up an eye-watering £400,535 (about AU$837,750). The King and Queen travelled from London to Sydney on 17 October via charter flight, before continuing on to Samoa on 23 October to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) alongside Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and representatives from across the 56 nations. The pair returned home on 27 October via a scheduled air flight, with a stopover in Singapore. While the travel costs were split between the British and Australian governments, the report confirmed that UK taxpayer funds covered approximately 50 per cent of the overall bill. Australia, however, was not solely responsible for footing the cost of flights, as Their Majesties were continuing their journey beyond Sydney. The report notes that travel-related expenses across the royal family rose slightly over the past year, with 216 official journeys costing over £17,000, totalling £2.7 million (about AUD $5.6 million). Of these, helicopter travel emerged as the most expensive mode of transport, with 141 flights totalling £475,290 (about AUD $994,280). In a bid to modernise operations and reduce emissions, the Royal Household also received two new helicopters in February to replace 15-year-old aeroplanes. The report notes these upgrades "will help reduce reliance on expensive fixed wing travel and increase the Royal Household's ability to utilise Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)". Meanwhile, the report confirmed the end of the late Queen Elizabeth II's beloved Royal Train, which will be retired by 2027. Although it only cost £77,908 (around AUD $163,000) across two trips in the past year, decommissioning the train is expected to save approximately £1 million (AUD $2 million) annually. In total, the Sovereign Grant, the annual payment from the UK government to support official royal duties, remained steady at £86.3 million (approx. AUD $180 million), consistent with the previous three years. However, that figure is set to rise. The Royal Household's income is forecast to increase to £132 million (around AUD $275 million) annually for the next two financial years. Reflecting on the value of the monarchy's contribution, Keeper of the Privy Purse James Chalmers said: "Soft power is hard to measure but its value is. "I believe, now firmly understood at home and abroad, as the core themes of the new reign have come into even sharper focus, and the Royal Family have continued in their service to the nation, Realms and Commonwealth." Despite the health battles of both King Charles and the Princess of Wales, who each underwent treatment for undisclosed forms of cancer in 2024, the report revealed members of the Royal Family carried out more than 1,900 public engagements across the year. Even for the 76-year-old King, who is still receiving treatment, he and Queen Camilla undertook a total of 604 engagements, including 90 joint appearances. "For Their Majesties, this is an increase on 2023–24, reflecting His Majesty's return to public-facing duties," the report stated.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
British monarchy will receive around $118 million in government funding, annual report shows
The British Royal Household released its financial statement on Monday, revealing that the annual lump sum from the government remained at £86.3 million ($118.50 million). The sum, called the Sovereign Grant, pays for the upkeep of royal palaces and the royals' official duties and is funded by British taxpayer money. In return, the monarch hands over all profits from the Crown Estate — which includes vast swathes of central London property, the Ascot Racecourse and the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland — to the government, in an arrangement dating back to 1760. The Sovereign Grant functions like an expense account for the monarch and their representatives, covering the costs of their public duties, including travel, staff, and upkeep of historic properties. Notably, it excludes funding for security, which also incurs a high cost given the royals' numerous public engagements and events. Royal family members undertook more than '1,900 public engagements in the UK and overseas, while more than 93,000 guests attended 828 events at Official Royal Palaces,' the annual Sovereign Grant Report said. The total grant of £86.3 million ($118.50 million), which by law remains the same as the three previous financial years, is comprised of a £51.8 million ($71.1 million), core grant and £34.5 million ($47.4 million) to fund the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace, a top tourist attraction in central London, is undergoing a major modernization project that will see upgrades to electric cabling, pipework, elevators and accessible bathrooms. The royal family will decommission the royal train 'following a thorough review into its use and value for money,' according to the accounts report. The monarchy has been using its own rail travel since Queen Victoria first boarded a specially built carriage from Slough, England, to London Paddington Station in 1842. The report also said the Royal Household will increase its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and continue the electrification of its fleet of vehicles. Last year, the Royal Household announced it aimed to transition to an 'almost fully electric' fleet of vehicles, without providing a target date. Britain's PA Media reported that the King's two Bentleys would be modified to run on biofuel. The royal family's three main sources of income are the Sovereign Grant, the Duchy of Lancaster and Duchy of Cornwall estates and their personal property and investments. The level of funding for the British royal family has long fueled criticism, with one anti-monarchy group calling for the Sovereign Grant to be abolished and for the British public to keep all the profits of the Crown Estate. 'The grant system is mad. Funding goes up not because of any need for extra money, but because the grant is linked to government profits from land managed by the Crown Estate,' Graham Smith, a campaigner for the group Republic, said in a statement earlier this year. 'The palace has recycled the excuse of needing the money for refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, an excuse used to double the grant ten years ago.' 'It's time that half a billion pounds was put to good use, that there was proper accounting for the cost of the monarchy and for that cost to be slashed to just a few million pounds,' Smith added. The Keeper of the Privy Purse, James Chalmers, said in a statement on Monday as the report was released: 'Soft power is hard to measure but its value is, I believe, now firmly understood at home and abroad, as the core themes of the new reign have come into even sharper focus, and the Royal Family have continued in their service to the nation, Realms and Commonwealth.'
9 News
6 days ago
- Business
- 9 News
British monarchy will receive around $180 million in government funding, annual report shows
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here The British Royal Household released its financial statement on Monday, revealing that the annual lump sum from the government remained at £86.3 million ($AU180 million). The sum, called the Sovereign Grant, pays for the upkeep of royal palaces and the royals' official duties and is funded by British taxpayer money. In return, the monarch hands over all profits from the Crown Estate — which includes vast swathes of central London property, the Ascot Racecourse and the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland — to the government, in an arrangement dating back to 1760. The sum, called the Sovereign Grant, pays for the upkeep of royal palaces and the royals' official duties and is funded by British taxpayer money. (Getty) The Sovereign Grant functions like an expense account for the monarch and their representatives, covering the costs of their public duties, including travel, staff, and upkeep of historic properties. Notably, it excludes funding for security, which also incurs a high cost given the royals' numerous public engagements and events. Royal family members undertook more than "1,900 public engagements in the UK and overseas, while more than 93,000 guests attended 828 events at Official Royal Palaces," the annual Sovereign Grant Report said. The total grant of £86.3 million ($180 million), which by law remains the same as the three previous financial years, is comprised of a £51.8 million ($108 million), core grant and £34.5 million ($72.6 million) to fund the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is undergoing a major modernisation project that will see upgrades to cabling and accessible bathrooms. (Getty) Buckingham Palace, a top tourist attraction in central London, is undergoing a major modernisation project that will see upgrades to electric cabling, pipework, elevators and accessible bathrooms. The royal family will decommission the royal train "following a thorough review into its use and value for money," according to the accounts report. The monarchy has been using its own rail travel since Queen Victoria first boarded a specially built carriage from Slough, England, to London Paddington Station in 1842. The report also said the Royal Household will increase its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and continue the electrification of its fleet of vehicles. Last year, the Royal Household announced it aimed to transition to an "almost fully electric" fleet of vehicles, without providing a target date. Britain's PA Media reported that the King's two Bentleys would be modified to run on biofuel. The level of funding for the British royal family has long fueled criticism. (Getty) The royal family's three main sources of income are the Sovereign Grant, the Duchy of Lancaster and Duchy of Cornwall estates and their personal property and investments. The level of funding for the British royal family has long fueled criticism, with one anti-monarchy group calling for the Sovereign Grant to be abolished and for the British public to keep all the profits of the Crown Estate. "The grant system is mad. Funding goes up not because of any need for extra money, but because the grant is linked to government profits from land managed by the Crown Estate," Graham Smith, a campaigner for the group Republic, said in a statement earlier this year. "The palace has recycled the excuse of needing the money for refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, an excuse used to double the grant ten years ago." "It's time that half a billion pounds was put to good use, that there was proper accounting for the cost of the monarchy and for that cost to be slashed to just a few million pounds," Smith added. The Keeper of the Privy Purse, James Chalmers, said in a statement on Monday as the report was released: "Soft power is hard to measure but its value is, I believe, now firmly understood at home and abroad, as the core themes of the new reign have come into even sharper focus, and the Royal Family have continued in their service to the nation, Realms and Commonwealth." World UK Royal Family Europe CONTACT US
CNN
6 days ago
- Business
- CNN
British monarchy will receive around $118 million in government funding, annual report shows
The British Royal Household released its financial statement on Monday, revealing that the annual lump sum from the government remained at £86.3 million ($118.50 million). The sum, called the Sovereign Grant, pays for the upkeep of royal palaces and the royals' official duties and is funded by British taxpayer money. In return, the monarch hands over all profits from the Crown Estate — which includes vast swathes of central London property, the Ascot Racecourse and the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland — to the government, in an arrangement dating back to 1760. The Sovereign Grant functions like an expense account for the monarch and their representatives, covering the costs of their public duties, including travel, staff, and upkeep of historic properties. Notably, it excludes funding for security, which also incurs a high cost given the royals' numerous public engagements and events. Royal family members undertook more than '1,900 public engagements in the UK and overseas, while more than 93,000 guests attended 828 events at Official Royal Palaces,' the annual Sovereign Grant Report said. The total grant of £86.3 million ($118.50 million), which by law remains the same as the three previous financial years, is comprised of a £51.8 million ($71.1 million), core grant and £34.5 million ($47.4 million) to fund the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace, a top tourist attraction in central London, is undergoing a major modernization project that will see upgrades to electric cabling, pipework, elevators and accessible bathrooms. The royal family will decommission the royal train 'following a thorough review into its use and value for money,' according to the accounts report. The monarchy has been using its own rail travel since Queen Victoria first boarded a specially built carriage from Slough, England, to London Paddington Station in 1842. The report also said the Royal Household will increase its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and continue the electrification of its fleet of vehicles. Last year, the Royal Household announced it aimed to transition to an 'almost fully electric' fleet of vehicles, without providing a target date. Britain's PA Media reported that the King's two Bentleys would be modified to run on biofuel. The royal family's three main sources of income are the Sovereign Grant, the Duchy of Lancaster and Duchy of Cornwall estates and their personal property and investments. The level of funding for the British royal family has long fueled criticism, with one anti-monarchy group calling for the Sovereign Grant to be abolished and for the British public to keep all the profits of the Crown Estate. 'The grant system is mad. Funding goes up not because of any need for extra money, but because the grant is linked to government profits from land managed by the Crown Estate,' Graham Smith, a campaigner for the group Republic, said in a statement earlier this year. 'The palace has recycled the excuse of needing the money for refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, an excuse used to double the grant ten years ago.' 'It's time that half a billion pounds was put to good use, that there was proper accounting for the cost of the monarchy and for that cost to be slashed to just a few million pounds,' Smith added. The Keeper of the Privy Purse, James Chalmers, said in a statement on Monday as the report was released: 'Soft power is hard to measure but its value is, I believe, now firmly understood at home and abroad, as the core themes of the new reign have come into even sharper focus, and the Royal Family have continued in their service to the nation, Realms and Commonwealth.'
CNN
6 days ago
- Business
- CNN
British monarchy will receive around $118 million in government funding, annual report shows
The British Royal Household released its financial statement on Monday, revealing that the annual lump sum from the government remained at £86.3 million ($118.50 million). The sum, called the Sovereign Grant, pays for the upkeep of royal palaces and the royals' official duties and is funded by British taxpayer money. In return, the monarch hands over all profits from the Crown Estate — which includes vast swathes of central London property, the Ascot Racecourse and the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland — to the government, in an arrangement dating back to 1760. The Sovereign Grant functions like an expense account for the monarch and their representatives, covering the costs of their public duties, including travel, staff, and upkeep of historic properties. Notably, it excludes funding for security, which also incurs a high cost given the royals' numerous public engagements and events. Royal family members undertook more than '1,900 public engagements in the UK and overseas, while more than 93,000 guests attended 828 events at Official Royal Palaces,' the annual Sovereign Grant Report said. The total grant of £86.3 million ($118.50 million), which by law remains the same as the three previous financial years, is comprised of a £51.8 million ($71.1 million), core grant and £34.5 million ($47.4 million) to fund the refurbishment of Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace, a top tourist attraction in central London, is undergoing a major modernization project that will see upgrades to electric cabling, pipework, elevators and accessible bathrooms. The royal family will decommission the royal train 'following a thorough review into its use and value for money,' according to the accounts report. The monarchy has been using its own rail travel since Queen Victoria first boarded a specially built carriage from Slough, England, to London Paddington Station in 1842. The report also said the Royal Household will increase its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and continue the electrification of its fleet of vehicles. Last year, the Royal Household announced it aimed to transition to an 'almost fully electric' fleet of vehicles, without providing a target date. Britain's PA Media reported that the King's two Bentleys would be modified to run on biofuel. The royal family's three main sources of income are the Sovereign Grant, the Duchy of Lancaster and Duchy of Cornwall estates and their personal property and investments. The level of funding for the British royal family has long fueled criticism, with one anti-monarchy group calling for the Sovereign Grant to be abolished and for the British public to keep all the profits of the Crown Estate. 'The grant system is mad. Funding goes up not because of any need for extra money, but because the grant is linked to government profits from land managed by the Crown Estate,' Graham Smith, a campaigner for the group Republic, said in a statement earlier this year. 'The palace has recycled the excuse of needing the money for refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, an excuse used to double the grant ten years ago.' 'It's time that half a billion pounds was put to good use, that there was proper accounting for the cost of the monarchy and for that cost to be slashed to just a few million pounds,' Smith added. The Keeper of the Privy Purse, James Chalmers, said in a statement on Monday as the report was released: 'Soft power is hard to measure but its value is, I believe, now firmly understood at home and abroad, as the core themes of the new reign have come into even sharper focus, and the Royal Family have continued in their service to the nation, Realms and Commonwealth.'
