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The British royal family will see a lot of greenery in 2025.
In April, the sovereign grant that helps fund their operations will grow by more than $56 million, People magazine reported. That would bring it to a staggering $165 million.
The publication noted that the sovereign grant is an amount paid to the monarchy from the British treasury. The pay rise has already been described by critics as “scandalous” as the UK government struggles to find funding for other budget items.
The British monarchy faces increased scrutiny in the New Year as the sovereign grant that funds their operations is set to receive a significant increase. (Getty Images)
A spokesman for Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
“The conventional wisdom is that the funds will be used to renovate Buckingham Palace, but in reality the potential private wealth of the royal family could collectively cover the cost,” royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital.
“This is 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.”
Renovations at Buckingham Palace are expected to be completed in 2027. (Pavel Liebera/LightRocket via Getty Images)
The promotion was announced last year, according to People magazine. At the time, Buckingham Palace made it clear that much of the money would go towards the property’s ongoing $462 million renovation. Repair works are planned to be completed in 2027.
However, the palace did not specify how much money will be spent on the reconstruction.
“This is public money,” said Graham Smith, CEO of Republic City and village. The organization “campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy”, on its website.
“All this money coming from the government at a time when the government is not able to properly fund schools, hospitals, the police … it’s scandalous,” Smith said. “Not only should it not grow at all, it should go down.”
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King Charles III was crowned in May 2023. (Getty Images)
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich emphasized to Fox News Digital that the salary increase is not for King Charles III.
“It’s absolutely not,” she explained, noting that it funds all the working offices at Buckingham Palace and its staff.
“Other expenses include state banquets, the reception of foreign heads of state, the maintenance of royal palaces used for state purposes, the running of the royal household as a whole, including all staff, required for diplomatic functions as well as garden parties to which the public are invited and the maintenance of royal property.’
“Other funds go to their projects and charitable causes for the public good,” she shared. “None of this is personal to King Charles III.”
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that the renovation of Buckingham Palace was initiated by Queen Elizabeth II. England’s longest-reigning monarch died in 2022 at the age of 96. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
However, Pelham Turner said the pay rise was not a good look for the royal family after Charles and Prince William came under fire in November.
The Sunday Times newspaper and a TV program called The King, Prince and Their Secret Millions claimed 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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King Charles and Prince William came under fire in November after an investigation focused on their private estates. (Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images)
The investigation alleges that private estates received millions from government agencies, including the National Health Service and public schools, as well as the British armed forces, according to the New York Post.
The Duchy of Lancaster is a 44,748-acre private estate in England and Wales, sovereignly held by the King.
“The Duchy of Lancaster manages a wide range of land and property assets,” a spokesperson explained to Fox News Digital.
Prince William is the heir to the British throne. (Nicolai Barbanel/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
“It is self-financed and does not receive state funds in connection with its activities,” the press secretary shared. “It publishes an annual report and accounts that are independently audited and available for viewing on its website, and comply with all relevant UK legislation and regulatory standards that apply to the range of its activities.”
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The Duchy of Cornwall is a private estate of almost 130,000 acres in the south west of England, owned by William as the Prince of Wales. The spokesperson also highlighted 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.
King Charles and Queen Camilla mainly reside at Clarence House. (Victoria Jones-WPA Pool/Getty Images)
“Prince William became the Duke of Cornwall in September 2022 and from that time undertook a large-scale transformation of the Principality. This includes significant investment to make the property net zero by the end of 2032, as well as putting in place targeted mental health support for our tenants and working with local partners to tackle homelessness in Cornwall.”
Prince William and his family live in Adelaide Cottage on the grounds of Windsor. (Jonathan Brady – Pool/Getty Images)
The Sunday Times claimed that a five-month investigation found that the duchies were making millions by “extorting government departments, councils, businesses, mining companies and the public at large through a series of commercial rents and feudal dues from land largely seized by medieval monarchs. “
People magazine noted that the arrangement is problematic because the royals act as “commercial landlords” while benefiting from a special agreement “that exempts them from paying corporate income tax.”
The Republic, which has criticized the Sovereign Grant funding, wants to abolish the British monarchy. (Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
“The sovereign grant, which will grow so significantly, will cause an even greater public outcry … especially after the public outrage of the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, which belong to Charles and William,” said Pelham Turner.
However, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams noted that repairs to Buckingham Palace are necessary. Fordwich noted that the renovation was initiated by Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022 at the age of 96.
Buckingham Palace was the Queen’s primary residence throughout her reign until March 2020. At the 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 British Royal Family is visible on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for coloring. (Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
“The renovation of Buckingham Palace was important because much of it, the most famous headquarters of any institution in the world other than the White House, was outdated and had not been renovated for decades,” he explained. “It is worth noting 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 celebrations, as well as state visits and the opening of parliament.”
Catherine, Princess of Wales is seen during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in London on November 22, 2022. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“It’s been renovated for 10 years — it’s on budget and on schedule,” Fitzwilliams continued. “Buckingham Palace is undoubtedly the headquarters of the monarchy. It will continue. The refurbishment will continue until 2027… The price of the monarchy is cheap in my opinion at £1.29 per person. It is the highest-paid monarchy in the world and the most prestigious projection of soft power in the UK. It (also attracts) a lot of media attention around the tourist world.”
Queen Elizabeth II and former Prince Charles, Prince of Wales attend the State Opening of Parliament in London on October 14, 2019. (Victoria Jones – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
People magazine reported that Charles, 76, is personally funding a facelift to his private suite at Buckingham Palace, which won’t be ready until 2027. A source previously told The Sunday Times that the monarchy “remembers that the public purse should not pay for personal relationships”.
Charles is mostly based at Clarence House, which is a short walk from Buckingham Palace.
According to palace websitethe building hosts nearly 100,000 guests and attracts more than 15 million tourists annually. Its electrical wiring, plumbing and heating have not been updated since the 50s.
A state banquet was held at Buckingham Palace. (Fox Photos/Getty Images)
“The infrastructure of the building needs an urgent complete repair to prevent long-term damage to the building and its contents,” it said. “The most cost-effective way to replace these essential services and ensure the Palace is fit for purpose for the next 50 years is through a phased program of works over ten years.
“The program will bring a number of long-term financial and environmental benefits, as well as improve visitor access. The Palace will remain occupied and fully operational throughout.”
