The anti-monarchy pressure group Republic has released a report claiming that the royal family costs the country £510 million a year once hidden costs have been taken into account.
The group reaches the figure by including income from the Duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, as well as estimating the cost on the public purse to fund security for members of the royal family and the salaries for government staff seconded to the palace.
The report also includes an estimate that royal engagements around the country cost local councils £31.9 million a year.
The pressure group is calling for “short-term royal funding reforms” to cap the royal family budget at £5 million to £10 million a year, “with a longer-term debate on abolition”.
It argues that