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It’s not just the British public who are struggling to make ends meet, with the Queen’s rainy day bank account down to its last 1 million pounds ($1.6 million).
With Britain still slowly recovering after a double dip recession, the Queen’s official emergency fund reserved for unexpected costs is running dangerously low.
No-one is looking for coins down the back of the royal sofa just yet but it does mean some royal residences are no longer fit for the Queen.
The reason for the low funds appears to be the cost of maintaining the royal residences – many of which are in need of work.
The UK’s National Audit Office has highlighted the royal family believes 39 per cent of its residences are currently below “target condition”.
The royal family received $52 million in state funding last year.
But Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy national convenor David Flint says the royal family should get a bigger grant for their official costs.
“Not that long ago some stone fell off one of the buildings and fell near Princess Anne,” he said.
“You can’t have your public buildings like that. These are part of the general wealth of the United Kingdom which ought to be maintained for heritage purposes.”
Royalty commentator Barry Everinham is less sympathetic to the argument for more money for the royals.
“Why the British taxpayer, who is suffering at the moment, has to put up with the indignity of paying people to have nannies and butlers and footmen and God only knows what … what do they do get it for, for Gods sake – for opening fetes and cutting ribbons?”
“I don’t know, it seems to me that it’s certainly time Australia moved on and got rid of all this nonsense, but far be it for me to tell the Brits what to do.”
However, the royal family has made some efficiency savings, including cutting the amount it spends on travel.
But there is always more that can be done.
Alex Wilson from savingsguide.com.au says the royals could buy in bulk and use coupons.
“If you’ve got a large household it’s all about making your home economy a little bit wiser, which means buying in bulk,” he said.
“Coupons is a great way, petrol savings, if you’re ever going to buy anything online do a quick search for a coupon or discount code, opt for the cheaper brand.
“Just about everything has a lower cost alternative without sacrificing quality.”
The sound of coupons being clipped may not be heard around the halls of Buckingham Palace just yet, though.
Last year a brand consultancy estimated the royal family, as a business, was worth $75 billion.
