The cost of a taxpayer-funded grant for the UK monarchy will increase by over 45 million pounds in the 2026-2027 year, sparking renewed controversy about the royal family’s spending.
The sovereign grant, which pays for the royal family’s duties, will increase from £86.3 million in 2024-25 to £132 million in 2025-26.
King Charles III and other members of the royal family will enjoy two new helicopters when the eight-carriage train stops running ahead of a maintenance contract ending in early 2027, according to the annual royal accounts.
As many Brits grapple with the cost-of-living crisis, the royal family’s eye-watering income has attracted renewed scrutiny about the spending of taxpayer money. The rise comes amidst financial turmoil in the UK, as the government debates welfare cuts that could force 150,000 more people into poverty.
Here’s a closer look at how much the royal family costs the UK.
How much does the royal family cost the UK?
The royal family’s spending is tracked by the Keeper of the Privy Purse, Sir Michael Stevens, who looks after the King's financial affairs and all state funding for the Royal Household, which is known as the Sovereign Grant.
In the year 2024-2025, the annual Sovereign Grant was reported at £86.3 million. This included £41.2 million spent on property maintenance and £34 million spent on payroll and associated costs.
However, according to The Republic, an anti-monarchy group, the Sovereign Grant does not factor in costs such as security fees, and the actual cost of the royal family to taxpayers is much higher. It estimates that the real cost is £510 million per year.
The annual cost of the royals, according to The Republic
Expenditure from Sovereign Grant and Surplus: £108.9 million
State buildings used by royal family: £96.3 million
Duchy of Cornwall profits/gains: £65.3 million
Duchy of Lancaster profits/gains: £33.8 million
Royal Collection net surplus: £11.8 million
Cost to local councils: £31.9 million
Security: £150.0 million
Costs met by Government Departments and the Crown Estate: £7.5 million
Bona vacantia proceeds - Duchy of Cornwall: £0.1 million
Bona vacantia proceeds - Duchy of Lancaste: £4.8 million
Total cost: £510.4 million
"The half a billion pound cost of the royals represents a scandalous abuse of public money. It is the result of royal corruption and secrecy, a family that believes it can spend public money with impunity,” Republic’s Chief Executive Graham Smith said in a statement.
"How can we talk about cutting the winter fuel allowance while wasting half a billion pounds on the royals?"
How much does the royal family bring in?
Whether or not — and to what extent — the royal family benefits the UK economy overall is debatable.
According to The Independent, the House of Windsor helps earn hundreds of millions for Britain’s economy every year, with Windsor Castle and Frogmore House reporting approximately 426,000 paying visitors between April 2021 and March 2022.
Other monarchy properties, such as Buckingham Palace and the Royal Mews, are also lucrative.
An adult ticket for Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace costs £35 if bought on the day, while a ticket for the Royal Mews is £19. Souvenir sales also help generate income.
The royal family also generates tourist revenue from the royal collection and the crown’s estate.
One study from Sheffield Hallam documenting the size of the impact of the royal family on UK tourism estimated the capital value of the UK monarchy at £67.5 billion in 2022. That included an annual contribution to the UK economy of £1.8 billion, encompassing indirect economic effects on tourism, trade, media, and arts.
Over 1,000 people employed by the royal family
The British royals employ over 1,000 people, which spans everything from communications employees to gardeners for the properties.
There are also some very unique positions, such as the Royal Astronomer, a position that’s been held since 1675, as well as a dedicated phone operator for Buckingham Palace to manage the estimated 7,000 phone calls made to the palace each week.
How many royals are there?
Among the royals themselves, not every member of the family is officially working. Famously and controversially, Prince Harry and Meghan took a step back from royal working life, preferring to raise their children in the US and work for themselves, bringing out a podcast and a Netflix documentary.
In 2025, there are 11 working royals, including:
