Palace refurb

It was stated in news that this is a main residence. But I thought that Windsor Castle was and that was why tax millions were spent on this refurb after the Great Fire. And then there is Clarence House, St James Palace, etc. Makes me wonder about the taxes we are paying, too. Anyhoo... just been searching Rightmove. It would be cheaper to move.

Well no as it has already been said that after our present Queen is no longer with us the remaining royal family will not use BH as a royal residence as they all dislike it and it will be sold to be an hotel so why not do that now. the Queen is known to prefer Windsor, Sandringham and Balmoral. I'd sell it off now.

When public services especially the NHS are struggling so much it does seem totally OTT. However our royal family do encourage more tourism.

It's been a bumper year for tourism in Greater Britain.Like it or not its there ,and to many visitors from other countries it's an iconic building and just the whiff of the possibility the Queen or the Royal family may be in residence is a big draw.Iceland bounced back after the banking crisis thanks to their tourism industry. With less manufacturing and traditional industries tourism creates lots of jobs, and swells the public coffers feeding into the NHS etc.What would happen if it fell into disrepair, a great big eyesore at the end of the Mall.Or bulldozed and replaced with more Shards or car parks ?The landscape of London in certain parts of the city are a fundamental part of its character and worth retaining.

more tourists visit the London Eye than Buck house and the top attraction is The Tower. I just cannot believe tourists come to this country just to see Buck house , if it were demolished it would make no difference to tourism

I would rather the money was spent on building a new up to date Parliament building, with all the technological innovations, and less of the ridiculous pomp. The Royal family have got other houses to live in.

But I'm afraid that will never happen and it would cost even more.

Maybe they could convert Buck House to Parliament, now there's a thought!

Oh dear FarNorth I was almost hoping that no one would start at thread on this as I feel so angry about it .

Where to start. Does the queen own BP? no.
Does she live there rent free? Yes
Is she wealthy? Yes
Does she receive state benefits? Yes
Does she pay bedroom tax? No
Does she have lots of other luxurious properties at her and her extended families disposal? Yes

Taking all the above into consideration I think BP should be sold to the highest bidder ASAP and the money used to do something worthwhile and not wasted on an over indulged, greedy beyond belief family (and all their hangers on from now to eternity) who live in cloud cuckoo land and couldn't give a stuff whether the peasants (that's you and I folks) get to eat or keep warm.

Sorry to those who worship the ground she walks on, but that's just my (strong) feeling.

I'm with you gillybob we are told we are in austerity but not the royal family it seems tourists would still come if it wasn't there if they sold it and it reopened people would flock to London to stay in it .

Surely no one really believes no Buck house would mean a drop in tourism , all that money so they can use the balcony to wave to the crowds ,once a year for grouping the colour and for weddings

It is so wrong , hospitals are closing, people are sleeping on the streets and we have to pay for this

I worship the ground she walks on, Gilly, but I must say I am baulking at the amount of money it is going to take to do this refurbishment. I was happy for the taxpayer to pay towards the repairs to Windsor - a far more historic building than Buck House. I suppose they could always sell it to Donald Trump! Then the Queen could hire back bits she only needs occasionally - the balcony, the State Dining Room for wedding banquets, etc.....

First of all it was Houses of Parliament and now it's Buckingham Palace that we, the tax payers will be paying for. I would argue that the H of P are more iconic and yes why can't BP become the H of P whilst renovations are taking place and then have BP as an hotel or made into flats - affordable of course!

Why are we fundraising for Children in Need while our taxes are paying for this upgrading? I think we should reverse this and have a crowd funder or voluntary donations for the DOQ while properly funding services for all via our taxes.

makes my blood boil,when you think of the income they have WHY weren't repairs kept up to date over the years ...like the rest of us do? The monarchy really must end when Lizzie dies ,its out of date and definately out of touch...£369 MILLION for repairs ,talk of a new royal yacht....where will it end.Hardly a caring queen ,when so many of her subjects cant find enough cash to put food in their mouths or a roof over their heads ...and dont get me started on the forces veterans who fight for "queen and country" and are left without support when they come back mentally and physically scarred

I am not eager for a president, another election! But the windsors need to move into the 21st century . I remember some years ago it was reported Charles wanted Windsor Castle as HQ, not buck house . They all live out of London anyway

It's ridiculous. Let's make it a building open to the public and charge if it's such a tourist attraction. Queenie and Phil can have a small apartment for when they are in residence. You could charge extra for standing on the balcony and waving, with a photo as another money spinner. I've suggested having re-enactments before, you could do Victoria and Albert in Buck House.

Some of it is open to the public but only when queenie is on hols in Scotland for a few months every year , not the balcony though ,pity

What?? You'd have to censor most of it, trisher! Considering how many children they produced, I'm surprised V&A managed to get out of bed! It would be interesting though !

Buck House is the offices and state rooms for visitors, not a home!

Quite honestly, if essential planned maintenance had been carried out on a regular basis we would not have this enormous bill now.

No-one ever learns that though do they!

Offices? For who? If it's Queenie's private staff lets move them out of London and if it's government there's lots of unused space in Whitehall. As for State rooms, close them on State occasions (there aren't that many) and otherwise let people in. You could do reenactments there as well. Queenie knighting various people might be popular.

Greyduster You could have ratings for different reenactments. X rated ones late at night??? Maybe not

I don't think it can be open to the public except on guided tours for security reasons trisher - not just the Royal Family's security but that of other visiting heads of state.

Of course, each American First Lady has wanted to put her own stamp on The White House, without all the essential repairs and maintenance.
I expect HM is quite happy to put up with the old curtains and carpets and doesn't want them changed every four or eight years.
No doubt Melania will want everything changed yet again - what price a Presidency?
Is there a Presidential palace anywhere in the world which is in such a bad state of repair.

It is quite embarrassing really.

However, stopping leaks, making repairs to a Grade 1 listed building is going to cost money and because it has been neglected for so long it will cost far more.

A stitch in time saves nine is a good motto.

Why does the word 'Queenie' grate so much?
It is like someone referring to DH as my 'hubby'.

Really naff which makes me wonder about people who use those terms.

Ugh!

As for State rooms, close them on State occasions
in which case the repairs would cost even more in the end.

I agree Jalima, it's a great shame things have been neglected for so long. The royal family is being slimmed down, and are an asset to the country. Presidency does not equate with economy as Jalima says. The next US president is already moving his family into positions of power.