|
 The royal household will "decant" from the east wing of the
palace, the public facade which houses the balcony on which
Queen Elizabeth and her family appear for significant events, as
part a program of urgent work to replace aging electrical wiring
and heating systems.
"In terms of the outward appearance of the front of the palace I
think that people will notice very little change," said a palace
spokesman, adding there would be no need for scaffolding.
News of the renovations was revealed by royal aides as they gave
details of the "Sovereign Grant", the annual government handout
that covers staffing costs, upkeep of royal palaces and travel
expenses.
The grant is based on 15 percent of surplus revenue from the
Crown Estate, a property portfolio belonging to the monarchy,
from two years previously. In 2016, this percentage was raised
to 25 percent for a decade to pay for the overhaul of Buckingham
Palace.
That meant the royals received 76.1 million pounds for 2017-18
and next year will get 82.2 million pounds. Michael Stevens, the
queen's treasurer, known as Keeper of the Privy Purse, said the
cost of the monarchy to every Briton last year equated to 69
pence, up four pence from last year.
Buckingham Palace was originally a large house townhouse built
in 1703 and acquired by George III in 1761. It was extended in
the reign of Queen Victoria while the front was refaced in 1914
when George V was king.
The 10-year overhaul will cost 369 million pounds ($485
million).
[to top of second column] |
The emptying of the east wing will mean the queen's children
Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward moving their offices,
while Andrew and Edward, who also have overnight rooms in the wing,
will have to be found accommodation elsewhere in the palace.
It will not directly affect the 92-year-old monarch and her husband
Prince Philip, 97, whose private apartments are located in the north
wing, nor heir-to-the-throne Prince Charles whose London home is
Clarence House.
However, 10,000 items including paintings and other works of art
will have to be moved, put in storage or sent out on loan while 120
members of staff are being relocated.
Anti-monarchy republicans in Britain say the true cost of the royals
to taxpayers is at least 345 million pounds a year because some
items such as security are ignored. Meanwhile newspapers have often
been critical of the amount spent on minor royals and travel
expenses.
This year's report revealed that by far the biggest travel expense
was incurred by Prince Charles and his wife Camilla whose trip to
India, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei amounted to 362,149 pounds.
(Editing by Stephen Addison)
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
