Royal family need to ‘stop taking our money’ says Republic CEO
Graham Smith told Express.co.uk that the members of the monarchy have plenty of money in the bank and should stop taking cash from the UK taxpayer. Republic is an organisation that campaigns for the monarchy to be abolished and Queen Elizabeth II to be replaced by an elected, democratic head of state.
Mr Smtih said: “I think all of them are very financially well-off already.
“They have friends and supporters who will make sure they remain well-off.
“They have got plenty of money in the bank.
“Prince Charles is given a £20 million income a year from us.
We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.
“Ultimately, even if they ended up on £30,000, most of us cope with that income, so I do not have sympathy for them.
“We do not owe them a living so they need to stop taking our money and work out how they will live beyond that.”
However, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams strongly disagreed with the view put forward by Republic.
He stated that Republic’s view excludes the benefits of the Duchy of Cornwall that pays for Prince Charles.
Royal Family: Expert discusses repayment of public money
Mr Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “It’s a very curious assertion that a head of state and his or her family should receive no money from the taxpayer as is common practice.”
He continued: “Also, any reasonable look at this area should stress that the taxpayer needed to pay for security and, in addition to that, for the upkeep of buildings used, for staff and for travel.
“The Civil List, dating from George 111 who handed over his income from the Crown Lands in exchange for it in 1760, lasted until 2011 and has since been replaced by the Sovereign Grant which sensibly covers these costs and, excluding security, it is estimated that the cost of the monarchy is £1.24p per person per year including the cost of refurbishment of Buckingham Palace, the core cost is just 74p per year.”
DON’T MISS
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry still ‘cashing in’ on Royal Family [ANALYSIS]
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry told to repay UK taxpayer [VIDEO]
Kate and Prince William told to let their children ‘enjoy themselves’ [INSIGHT]
The royal commentator added: “This excludes the benefits from the Duchy of Cornwall which pays for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and the Cambridges.
“Also, the Duchy of Lancaster from which the Queen pays for the other working royals.
“The taxpayer is not involved.
“There is no mention of the benefits from having the world’s most high profile monarchy as we do, in which there is such vast media interest, the revenues accrued from tourism, from royal trips abroad for British business and for charity given the 2,000 engagements which, in a normal year, the royals undertake and the over 3,000 organisations which have royal links and value these greatly.”
Source: Read Full Article
