This is how much the British royal family costs annually

Half a billion pounds – that's how much the royal family costs the British state every year, according to opponents of the monarchy. This is according to a report by the Republic group, which campaigns to abolish the monarchy. The costs and lost revenues are: King Charles III (75) and partners to more than 500 million pounds (600 million euros). The palace declined to comment when asked by the German Press Agency and referred to official financial reports.

Instead of lifting heating support for pensioners as suggested by the Minister of Finance Rachel Reeves The Labour Party declared that savings should be made first in the royal family, and demanded that the President of the Republic Graham Smith According to a statement. “If Reeves believes tough decisions are necessary in these difficult times, it should start with the royal family.”

The amount quoted by Republic is partly based on rough estimates and is difficult to verify independently. For example, the group estimates that the royal family’s security costs are up to £150 million. There is no official figure for this.

Estimates of alleged lost income are also taken into account, such as potential rental income of over £70 million for Buckingham Palace and £2 million for Windsor Castle. Other estimates of potential rental income are less than half – leaving aside the question of whether the rent is realistic.

But what is known as the royal family's budget, known as the “sovereign grant”, is for performing official duties and maintaining and operating residences.

The amount is based on income from the Crown Estates, a portfolio of land and property that also includes rights to the continental shelf around the UK coast.

With income boosted by the expansion of offshore wind power, the royal family could look forward to a huge windfall. The “sovereign grant” will rise by £45 million to around £130 million. According to the palace, a large portion will go towards urgently needed refurbishment of Buckingham Palace.

The private income of members of the Royal Family comes primarily from the portfolio of lands and other estates known as the Duchy of Cornwall (to the heir to the throne). Prince William42) and the Duchy of Lancaster (for King Charles). According to official financial reports, William's pocket was worth £21 million before tax last year, while his father made a profit of £27.4 million.

If the Republic is to be believed, the state loses around £100m in revenue as a result of the Duchies. The group denies that the income is a private asset. It is calling for spending on the royal family to be cut to £5m-£10m. It is said that as head of state, King Charles should make do with an annual salary of £189,000.