The British royal family will see a lot of greenery in 2025.
In April, the sovereign grant, which helps finance their activities, will increase by more than $56 million. People magazine I mentioned. This would result in a staggering $165 million.
The outlet noted that the sovereign grant is the amount paid to the monarchy by the UK Treasury. Critics have already described the pay rise as “scandalous” as the UK government struggles to find funding for other budget items.
The British monarchy faces greater scrutiny in the new year, as the Sovereign Grant, which funds its activities, will receive a significant increase. (Getty Images)
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
“It is accepted that the funding will be used to repair Buckingham Palace, but in reality, the potential private wealth of the royal family collectively could cover the cost,” royal expert Ian Pelham-Turner told Fox News Digital.
“It is another nail in the coffin for the royal family… especially since many have lost winter fuel allocations from the government. Many have to decide whether to eat or heat their homes for the winter.”
Renovations to Buckingham Palace are expected to be completed in 2027. (Paul Lebra/LightRocket via Getty Images)
People magazine noted that the increase was announced last year. At the time, Buckingham Palace explained that much of the money would be allocated to the property's ongoing renovations, worth $462 million. Repairs are expected to be completed in 2027.
However, the palace did not specify how much money would be spent on renovations.
“This is public money,” Republic chief executive Graham Smith said. City and countryside. Organizing “campaigns to abolish ownership” According to its website.
“All this money is coming from the government at a time when the government can't properly fund schools, hospitals and police… It's a scandal,” Smith said. “Not only should it not go up at all, it should go down.”
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King Charles III was crowned in May 2023. (Getty Images)
British royal expert Hilary Forditch He confirmed to Fox News Digital that the salary increase is not for King Charles III.
“It's not like that at all,” she explained, noting that he finances all the offices operating at Buckingham Palace and its employees.
“Other expenses include official banquets, the entertainment of foreign heads of state, the costs of maintaining royal palaces used for state purposes, the management of the royal household in general, including all personnel necessary for diplomatic functions, as well as garden parties to which the public is invited and the maintenance of royal property.”
“Other funds are donated to their projects and charities for the greater good,” she added. “Nothing about this is personal to King Charles III.”
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that Queen Elizabeth II has begun renovations on Buckingham Palace. England's longest-reigning monarch died in 2022 at the age of 96. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
However, Pelham-Turner said a pay rise is not a good look for the Royal Family after Charles and Prince William found themselves under fire in November.
The Sunday Times and a television program called “The King, the Prince and their Secret Millions” claimed that the king and his heir were quietly raising money through their royal estates, the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall.
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King Charles and Prince William came under fire in November after an investigation focused on their private assets. (Karaway Tang/WireImage via Getty Images)
The New York Post reported that the investigation alleges that the private estate was receiving millions from public bodies, including the National Health Service, state-funded schools as well as the British armed forces.
The Duchy of Lancaster is a 44,748-acre private estate in England and Wales owned by the King as Sovereign.
“The Duchy of Lancaster manages a wide range of land and property assets,” a Fox News Digital spokesperson explained.
Prince William is the heir to the British throne. (Mikolaj Barbanel/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“It is self-financing and does not receive any public funds in relation to its activities,” the spokesperson added. “It publishes an annual report and accounts which are independently audited and available to view on its website and complies with all relevant UK legislation and regulatory standards applicable to its range of business activities.”
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The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate of about 130,000 acres in southwest England owned by William as Prince of Wales. A spokesperson also confirmed her private status to Fox News Digital.
“The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate with a commercial imperative that we achieve alongside our commitment to restoring the natural environment and making a positive social impact for our communities,” the spokesperson said.
King Charles and Queen Camilla mainly reside at Clarence House. (Victoria Jones-WPA Paul/Getty Images)
“Prince William became Duke of Cornwall In September 2022, and since then, it has committed to an extensive transformation of the Duchy. This includes significant investment to make the estate net zero by the end of 2032, as well as creating targeted mental health support for our tenants and working with local partners to help tackle homelessness in Cornwall.
Prince William and his family reside at Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor grounds. (Jonathan Brady-Pool/Getty Images)
The Sunday Times claimed that a five-month investigation had revealed that the two duchies were making millions by “charging government departments, councils, corporations, mining companies and the general public via a series of commercial rents and feudal duties on lands largely seized by medieval kings”. “
People magazine noted that the arrangement is problematic because the royals are said to act as “commercial landlords” while benefiting from a special agreement that “exempts them from paying taxes on their companies' profits.”
The Republic campaign, which has criticized Sovereign Grant funding, wants to abolish the British monarchy. (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
Pelham-Turner said: “A large increase in the Sovereign Grant would cause further public uproar… especially after Charles and William's Duchy of Lancaster and Cornwall had caused public outrage.”
However, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams suggested that repairs were needed at Buckingham Palace. Fordwich pointed out that the renovation work was initiated by Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022 at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace was the Queen's main residence throughout her reign until March 2020. At that time, she moved to Windsor Castle during the coronavirus pandemic. People magazine reported that the palace has served as the official residence of British kings in London since 1837.
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The British royal family was spotted on the balcony of Buckingham Palace at the Trooping the Color gala. (Max Mumbi/Indigo/Getty Images)
He explained, “The renovation of Buckingham Palace was necessary because much of it, the most famous headquarters of any institution in the world other than the White House, was old and had not been renovated for decades.” “It should be noted that it is a working and staffed palace. Its ceremonies, such as the Changing of the Guard, attract tourists. It is also the magnificent parade route for the Troops of Color, as well as official visits and the opening of Parliament.”
Catherine, Princess of Wales, during the state banquet at Buckingham Palace in London on November 22, 2022. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“It's been renovated over 10 years, and it's on budget and on schedule,” Fitzwilliams continued. “Buckingham Palace is undoubtedly the main residence of the monarchy. It will continue to be so. The renovation will continue until 2027… The cost of the property is… a bargain, in my view, at £1.29 per person. It is the tallest palace in the world – Royalty and show of power Britain's soft drive is the most famous, and it (also attracts) significant worldwide media attention and many tourists.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Charles, former Prince of Wales, attend the official opening of Parliament in London on October 14, 2019. (Victoria Jones – WPA Pool / Getty Images)
People magazine reported that Charles, 76, is personally funding the remodeling of his private chambers wing at Buckingham Palace, which won't be ready until 2027. A source previously told The Sunday Times that the royal family “realizes that the public purse should not be paying for personal touches.” “
Charles is primarily based at Clarence House, which is a short walk from Buckingham Palace.
according to Palace locationThe building hosts nearly 100,000 guests and attracts more than 15 million tourists every year. The electrical, plumbing and heating cables have not been updated since the 1950s.
A formal banquet was held at Buckingham Palace. (Fox Pictures/Getty Images)
She noted that “the building's infrastructure is in urgent need of comprehensive repair to prevent long-term damage to the building and its contents.” “The most cost-effective way to replace these essential services, and ensure the palace is fit for purpose over the next 50 years, is to carry out a phased program of works over ten years.
“The program will deliver a series of long-term financial and environmental benefits, as well as improvements in visitor access. The palace will remain occupied and fully operational for the duration.”
