Uh Uh Harry ?

Workshy is how I'd describe them.

Workshy is good, Ellan. I think I'd go with pathetic.

I think the whole Royal Family spends public money as if it's their own there needs to be a discussion about their finances more transparency

Graham Smith from Republic is calling on the Sovereign Grant to be scrapped. The total cost [of the monarchy] has been estimated to be two to three times the grant. If they do want to come clean, there should be an open discussion on that." calling for more transparency about the royal finances.

Million so far spent of public money renovating a new home for the Gloucesters

"I think the Crown Estate has questions to answer about allowing the royals to use the property in this way, and why they are not more open about the financial transactions that go on in relation to the houses they let the royals have."

"What we have is a family taking advantage of their position (in relation) to public property. They're working out their own finances, doing their own books and then reporting their own finances - there needs to be independent scrutiny.

While most public spending is cut...

"All major expenditure areas have increased, from payroll (up £1.2m to £24.4m), to travel (up £700,000 to £5.3m), and housekeeping and hospitality (up £300,000 to £2.6m)."

A 15% increase in travel costs when hospitals can't deliver the very best care to every person in need, when teachers are struggling to pay for the necessary books and equipment and the police are stretched to breaking point is scandalous."

And they’re all at it Thousands of pounds spent on junkets for Anne and Andrew, so they can attend sporting events. This is not public service, it’s daylight robbery.”

However, the Sovereign Grant is just one part of the total cost of the monarchy. The royal family's security bill is picked up by the metropolitan police, for example, while the costs of royal visits are borne by local councils.

Meanwhile, income from the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall – despite belonging to the nation - goes directly to the Queen and Prince Charles respectively, depriving the treasury of tens of millions of pounds every year.

In complete agreement Grany.

Grany read your comments with interest. I wonder if you would be so kind as to give your source for the ‘millions so far’ that have been spent on the Old Stables, their new home at Kensington Palace. I didn’t realise that having moved there in 2019 the renovations are still ongoing in addition to the £400,000 that was spent originally on rewriting etc etc as it was in a state of some disrepair when they agreed to move from their larger apartment to give the Duke and Duchess of Sussex a larger home. I understood that this arrangement was convenient for them as their adult children had now left home, but if such a small property warrants ongoing millions in expenditure, it is indeed worrying. The photographs of them there working with their respective charities show a very comfortable home, with no sign of builders. I understand their old apartment is now used as offices as it was rejected by M & H.

Should anyone pay for repairs on a property they rent .

Lexisgranny According to this year’s palace accounts, a total of £1million has been spent on ‘completely refurbishing’ and redecorating the Old Stables – £600,000 this year and £400,000 in the previous financial year.

In travel expenses under 15000 are not covered.

Since 2012 the core Sovereign Grant has risen by £20m.Last year the Royal Household made an extra £20m from non-taxpayer-funded commercial exploitation of the state palaces which was added to the SG.But if it had been subtracted from the SG, it would have saved the taxpayer £20m

You can find out more here

m.youtube.com/c/RepublicCampaign

Travel expenses are not itemised.

Thanks that explains it Grany I was confused by the differing amounts and the financial years and the fact that they were the Gloucesters were living there almost a year ago. It does seem a lot of money for a small home, must have been in quite a state to have taken that length of time.

It does seem a lot of money for a small home, must have been in quite a state to have taken that length of time

That is the problem with a lot of the residences, hat they were allowed to get into such a state by preious governments that the cost of repair seems huge.
Had they been properly maintained then these costs would have been spread out over years.

Some governments, like some firms, do not believe in planned maintenance- wait until it all breaks down before doing anything. The cost is more in the long run because of the damage caused y leaking roofs etc.

Of course, come the republic, the president will require a well-maintained splendid residence in order to entertain other heads of state.

Good luck Grany in getting support for your views. ?

I agree that the properties need maintaining but with an ever shrinking RF do they really need so many residences?

Presumably, when the Queen dies Charles will move into Buckingham Palace/Windsor Castle/Sandringham/Balmoral et al. William will move into Clarence House so another huge apartment at KP will become empty.

How many offices does the RF need?

Nott Cott is empty, The Gloucesters won't live forever. Even George, Charlotte and Louis won't be able to fill all of it.

How will the cost of maintaining KP be justified then?

that'll be ONE residence not multiple castles ,"cottages" that most folk would think are mansions and Apartments that could house 6 or 7 families .ONE residence no security for families ,no travel expenses to take Sons or GS's AND their entourages on jollies no £30 MILLION pound weddings etc etc etc .I really cant understand why anyone would be happy for this medieval system to continue in the 21st century ,its appalling and baffling that people still think Lizzie and her parasites can live like this while ex servicemen are on the streets and families in B and B accommodation and children going hungry .What a mixed up set of priorities and morals

Sandringham and Balmoral shouldn’t be included in the list
.of royal residences , they are not owned by the state .

Yes the family is much smaller now but what would happen to
KP, it is open to the public, has much history, big problem

Turn KP into a bed and breakfast?

Sorry I am a royalist, could not imagine the UK having a Republic.

Enjoy visiting the Palaces and their Gardens always discover something I didn’t know regarding our history, not all of it is sugar coated .

I must admit when considering the alternative............

What would it cost to turn KP into a B & B , many living on the streets have drug / alcohol addiction, would it be safe to
let them live in these apartments, and I mean safe for them .

I am a Monarchist so I'm not suggesting we get rid of the royal family but along with the 'slimming down' there must surely be a review of the cost of maintaining so many residences.

Balmoral and Sandringham should be open to the public. It's all very well saying they are owned by the Queen but she's hardly ever in them. Her summer holiday was cut short this year and her current stay at Sandringham with Prince Philip is at Wood Farm not Sandringham House. If they can't all go there for Christmas it will continue to remain empty.

Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank are living in a 'cottage' at KP. Can they not afford a home of their own?

During Lockdown it has become painfully obvious that the Royal Family has been falling in significance despite some much appreciated moral boosting efforts. Not their fault of course but then none of this is anybody's fault.

The country is going to struggle economically to recover so I really don't want to read about millions being spent on empty apartments in KP.

The relatives of the queen living in K P pay rent. I disagree with forcing anyone to open their own homes to the public.

I don’t know the answer but I do not want these buildings pulled down or let to fall down.

The apartments could be let to very wealthy people but they
wouldn’t pay for repairs.

Anniebach

The relatives of the queen living in K P pay rent. I disagree with forcing anyone to open their own homes to the public.

I don’t know the answer but I do not want these buildings pulled down or let to fall down.

The apartments could be let to very wealthy people but they
wouldn’t pay for repairs.

How do the Dukes of Kent and Gloucester earn their money? Isn't 'paying rent' just recycling it?

If apartment are let to very wealthy people the rent should cover the cost of repairs.

merlotgran Sandringham House and gardens are open to the public when the Queen is not in residence

We have been and it is far from grand just a typical country house, old furniture and fabrics the rooms are not overly big.

I agree with a slimmed down firm

I assume the Gloucesters have money and are not dependent on pension credit merlot, Alexandra rents an apartment there,
her husband was a very wealthy man .

If the apartments were rented out what of the safety of William, Kate and children ? It’s so complicated

I doubt any changes will be made until they all move up a notch, Annie.

Agree merlot , the Gloucesters and Kents did much to support the queen when she was a young queen , I am sure
she cares very much for them .