The Royal Finances

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Warren

Maybe it reflects the different mix of properties but it's interesting to note that the value of the Duchy of Cornwall rose while the value of the Crown Estate fell.

It is well reported that the Duchy of Cornwall actively manages its proporty portfolio, and has "traded" very actively over the last few years. By comparison with the Crown Estate, it may be possible to draw the conclusion that perhaps it may have been better managed.

That said, the difference in "performance" may also be due to the mix of properties held as Warren has pointed out. My understanding is that the CE holds vast retail interests (eg Regent St freehold) which are probably worse hit than other types of property.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by ada

IMO, the royal family as a whole, GIVES more than it GETS

Sadly, not to the people who pay for them. IMO

Originally Posted by rmay286

but the royals are also expected to provide pomp and pageantry and to do a lot of traveling. I'm impressed that they can do all that at such a relatively low cost per British citizen.

The cost of the 'pomp and pageantry' is not included in the figure. The costs concerning the displays put on by the armed forces, the guardsmen etc are in addition to the figure given.

[Skydragon]

The value of the Queen’s private estate has fallen by almost a fifth due to the impact of the recession.
The Duchy of Lancaster - a portfolio of land, property and assets held in trust for the Sovereign - saw its value drop by £75million to £322million in the 2008-9 financial year.
But the income the Monarchy received from the Duchy, which is used to fund her public and private activities, increased by 5.4 per cent from £12.6million to £13.3millio

Read more: One is credit crunched: Queen loses £75million in recession as estate value falls by a fifth | Mail Online

[Skydragon]

He will be responsible for managing a £6bn property portfolio on behalf of the British taxpayer ranging from forests and seashore to some of London's most sought-after locations.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...wn-Estate.html

[Skydragon]

This post copied over for the record only.
Discussion on the subject is in the William & Harry Inheritance thread.
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The prince turns 25 on Tuesday September 15. Although he will inherit the multi-million pound fortune, he, like his brother William, 27, will be prevented from spending the money until they turn 30.

Prince Harry to inherit share of Diana's fortune - Telegraph

PRINCE Harry will become a multi-millionaire next Tuesday when he turns 25.

The birthday means Harry inherits his share of Princess Diana's fortune, estimated at £9million.

Diana £9m as Prince Harry hits 25 | The Sun |News|Royals

[Royal Fan]

So how much is that in US Currency is he or will he ever be on Civil List, how much do the Army Pay him? sorry if the questions seem silly

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Royal Fan

So how much is that in US Currency is he or will he ever be on Civil List, how much do the Army Pay him? sorry if the questions seem silly

The only way he will be on the Civil List is if he becomes King.

The only people on the Civil List now are the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh (other members of the Queen's family, who were on the Civil List before they changed things in the early 90s get money from the government BUT the Queen then repays that money so that now it is only the monarch and consort).

Charles, as Duke of Cornwall, has the income of the Duchy of Cornwall to support him, his wife and his sons. On his accession that income will pass automatically to William, who will instantly become Duke of Cornwall when his father becomes King. Charles will then have the income of the Duchy of Lancaster to provide his personal income and that money will be used to continue to support his siblings, cousins and Harry (I don't think he would turn around to say the elderly Duke of Kent and say 'sorry I am not giving you anything to live on' but support for the descendents won't be happening and they will have to work for themselves).

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Royal Fan

So how much is that in US Currency is he or will he ever be on Civil List, how much do the Army Pay him? sorry if the questions seem silly

The exchange rate GBP/US$ is around 1.67 - I will let you work on the math

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Royal Fan

So how much is that in US Currency is he or will he ever be on Civil List, how much do the Army Pay him? sorry if the questions seem silly

£9,000,000 = $15012510.4254 RAF Officer pay can be anything between £36,000 - 43,000 p.a with more being paid depending on qualifications.

[Skydragon]

The Queen is privately pushing for taxpayers to contribute an extra £44 million to the Royal household to cover the cost of refurbishments, letters released by the Treasury have disclosed.

Queen wants extra £44m to refurbish palaces - Telegraph

[Skydragon]

Angry villagers have won a battle against the Royal estate which planned to turn their homes into a second 'model village'.
The Duchy of Lancaster, which helps fund the monarchy, drew up detailed plans to turn picturesque Cloughton in North Yorkshire into another Poundbury, Prince Charles' controversial building project in Dorset.

Read more: Royal Family lose battle with angry villagers to turn their home into 'another Poundbury' | Mail Online

[Emeralds and Opals]

Revealed: the royal waive which means no spending cuts for the Windsors | UK news | The Guardian

[Ukroyalist]

Originally Posted by Emeralds and Opals

Revealed: the royal waive which means no spending cuts for the Windsors | UK news | The Guardian

Much gnashing of teeth by the Guardian!
I'm so pleased. As a UK resident and taxpayer I would happily pay more for the Royal family.

[Skydragon]

I believe you will soon be in the minority.

[Iluvbertie]

Originally Posted by Skydragon

I believe you will soon be in the minority.

As it seems that the British people don't want to pay for a Head of State who gets the position through birth just when do you think Britain will become a Republic?

[Wisteria]

Skydragon.
how right you are. I think the BRF will have to cut down on needless spending and the quicker the better. For them I think it is a matter of survival.

[Skydragon]

Originally Posted by Iluvbertie

As it seems that the British people don't want to pay for a Head of State who gets the position through birth just when do you think Britain will become a Republic?

The apparent sarcasm is misplaced and I have no idea if or when Britain might become a republic, I don't possess a crystal ball!

Unlike Australians, (or so one might believe from reading comments from Australians regarding the matter on these threads), I would suggest that the majority of people in the UK do not know what a Head of State is or does.

This is only my opinion from conversations with a wide range of native English/Scottish/Welsh/Northern Irish people from a variety of backgrounds.

I have no wish to see the demise of the monarchy, I do believe they must be seen to manage the money they get, in a better way. Although their household staff may not be the best paid, I feel it is time for them to remove some of the managers, who pass the work required on to friends of friends, whose companies they know, rather than looking for competitive tenders. As it is, those that are asked to tender seem to think it is acceptable to add a couple of noughts to any quote.