How to pay in these tough times? Perhaps she should sell a couple of paintings from the vaults, they belong to the country just as much as the buildings.

alex robertson, luton, beds

British are pro-royalty.. Great!-
So, if Mugabe just declares himself king, will the British support that royalty too?

Ed, London, England

The Monarchy is cheaper to run than most Heads of State who are vile political hacks.I am happy to pay for the Queen but deeply resent the Trillion pounds that the Labour government has wasted on pet schemes and incompetance. Thats right folks one Trillion pounds.

Susan, Warwick, UK

There should be some kind of tick box on a tax form whether you want to "sponsor" Royal Family. Then we would see how many are there willing to do so. I refuse to pay for Camilla's security team, all these countless "princesses', "princes", now there are their girlfriends, too, it will never end!

Telma, Guildford villages, England

It seems the majority of the pro Royalist comments are being made by residents of other countries i.e non citizens who don't have to pay for them. If you love our royal family so much YOU pay for them. You can have ours!

Greg, London, UK

Murph how would we not be in the news this is a british newspaper.

Chris Ison, Bulkington, England

Many correspondents say "God Bless" and "God Save" the Queen. However, as all Gods are fantasies created by people, it might take rather more than invoking the supernatural to save this dynasty.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Geez! Don't diss the Queen....we respect her tremendously!!! And besides...if it wasn't for the royal family..you wouldn't be in the news at all!

Murph, Madisonville, KY/USA

Perhaps her Majesty should ring up House Invaders about the remod. The Cash in Attic blokes probably help with the budget shortfall.

R Thomas, Texas, USA

Maybe this recession (oops sorry - re-branded as "credit crunch") is the spur we need to get rid of these German parasites

Billy, Cardiff , Wales

Good for Jayil, it is often forgotten that Her Majesty spends alot of time promoting inter -faith and freedom of expression, another term used more by HRH is 'commonwealth' if this could be extended to all how much better society would be! I am a royalist but feel HRH should pay repair bills!

Dave Farmer, Broxbourne, England

Don't have a lot of sympathy. the rest of us are struggling too with mortgage repayments, increases in costs of petrol, food, living expenses etc.
Sorry dear you'll just have to sell some property, or dip into the 20 mill resreve, just as we have to dip into our own deposit accounts.

Lex Talion, christchurch, UK

Maybe she should get a part time job?

Sandi, Maidenhead, Berkshire

perhaps she should sell some of those dodgy picture plates, maybe spread the franchise a bit with keyrings or even their home movies? some sucker always buys them

james, norwich,

All the royalist please tell me why those who do not wish to be called royal subject, should pay for this ancient and out dated monarch. If you wish to have a royal family paid for out of the public purse, then you then royalist pay for them and their hangers on.Lets get rid of the royal family.

H R PAYME, Liverpool , England

It may only be 66p but it's still unnecessary money for an outdated establishment which is, quite frankly, an embarassment to our country and inspires no pride in being British. Tourism would continue as would their charities, without this antiquitated system. They are redundant figureheads.

Kat, London,

Maybe she should down-size!

Oxford Don, Oxford, UK

MPs get 10k for a kitchen, unlimeted expenses, no receipt required for "small" amounts of under £500.
The Lord chancellor (Blairs mate) got vastly expensive wallpapers etc, etc. And they even get an allowance to turning up to the commons.
Sorry but this is repaires for state owned property!!

Andy, Petersfield,

The Royal Palaces and their valuable contents are not the personal property of the monarch (as some of the contributors to this forum seem to think), but actually belong to the State, (i.e. the citizens of the U.K.) which is ultimately responsible for adequately funding their upkeep and maintenance.

G. Roberts, Northwich, United Kingdom

I've read the responses on the web page, the majority of people believe the tax-payers should pay for the repairs, it's less than 1pound per person in the UK. The people have spoken, hurry up and start fixing it! Enough already!

Terry Owings, Auckland , New Zealand

Neil I guess you are unaware that after they leave office US Presidents & their Families still have Secret Service protection as well as a litany of perks whihc run well into the millions if not more every year. So if you have 4 former heads of state living that alone could amount to HMQ's upkeep.

Jason Pearson, Toronto, Canada

The building is public property and one of the biggest tourist attractions in the UK so of course the taxpayer (the owner) should pay for upkeep

John, Salford, England

First, income from crown lands greatly exceeds all royal expenses. Second, our royals benefit tourism more than our weather. Third, a president would be no cheaper. Fourth, I would prefer to die for Queen and Country rather than for Gordon Brown and Country. Fifth, people like Crown stability.

Jim Swift, Crawley, Sussex, U.K.

britons should reflect on the fact that the maintenance costs for the office of President of the Republic in my country costs, if I remember well, about 4 times what the Crown costs to Britain.
And doesn't generate even a millionth of the tourist revenues...

Pietro B, La Spezia, Italy

She's welcome to more .... she and her family are still BETTER VALUE FOR MONEY than a dual prime minister & president system. Certainly better value for money than the 600+ MPs we have. At least when she leaves the job, the houses are left behind for the next postholder.

Mary, Birmingham, England

Of course she should get the money and we should throw in some extra millions for the stair-lifts that may be needed in a few years time!

K.Hall, Helsinki, Finland

This article confirms what I always suspected - that you Brits have a sense of humor. Some months ago, didn't your newspaper laugh at some broke woman who set a website up to ask for contributions to pay her bills? And now you go all soft when your queen does the same thing. What a farce!

Mehul Kamdar, Des Plaines, IL, USA

Her Majesty became landlady this month when a retail park down the road from Windsor Castle was bought by the Crown Estate for £92million. Maybe she should of used that money to fix the place up and support her own family. Why do we have to do it. Maybe i would like to go on a holiday this year!

Susan, alberta, canada

The British public must defend and be loyal to their Monarchie.
But how many British are in Britain today? That is the question.
P. Marchesi Thompson

Pilar Marchesi , Oxford, England

On behalf of Muslims in UK we support the Queen 100%. She supports and promotes multiculturalism and freedom to practice our Religion in UK. We are prepared to give £1 instead of 66p.

Allah bless the Queen !

jayil, london, uk

"Junk Male" (nice alias) pointed out "It cost taxpayers £18,916 for the Prince of Wales to visit the Black Swan pub in Cumbria"
frankly I cannot quite fathom how he rang up that big a bar tab but I think its fair to question it. However, let us not confuse that issue with that of the repairs

Jason Pearson, Toronto, Canada

I bet she doesn't feel it as much as us pensioners

Ron Sealey, Croydon, England

To those who ridicule an elected Head of State I would say that at least we would not be lumbered with them, and their families and extended families, for life.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

There's nothing else for it, your majesty. It's byebye Fortnum and Mason and helloooo Aldi.

M. R., Stockport,

"I used to be a socialist and a republican but 11 years of noolabour have converted me into a monarchist and a possible conservative. "

If you were a socialist, how come you don't know that New Labour (I refuse to use that idiotic spelling) is as socialist as George W. Bush?

M. R., Stockport,

Get rid of the lot and send them back to where ever they came from. We do not need this anachronism, the poor tax payer should not be paying for the house of Hannover to enjoy a hedonistic and decadent lifestyle. They should pay taxes and all state property should be reclaimed. Democratic republic.

C L Priestley, Colpo, France

The Palaces are National Treasure: turn them into museums. Tourists from all over the world would love to visit (like Versailles in France...) and that would found the repairs (probably 1p per person).

Edwin Poo, Luton, UK

Yet another reason why we need rid of these people, though im sure if the govornment is so keen to help other people on the dole it will help the royals

chris, teesside,

export the whole lot to the USA, let them work in a theme park, and make the UK into a republic. then the class system will make a step forward into the 21 century.

mo, london, UK

Part of the reason they're asking for money now, is because if it is left for another 5-10 years, the price will increase drastically. So for all those people complaining about how much it costs etc now, if it isn't paid and is left, it will become more prohibitive.
The Palaces are National Treasure

Paul Dennison, Barnham, UK

Whenever I broach the subject of Republicanism in the pub, I can always rely on Assorted Royalists to produce comments such as "who would you have as head of state then? Tony Benn?, Boy George? Kylie Minogue? (yes they do suggest an Australian!). My answer? Yes.

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

Then do what the rest of us do when they can't afford to decorate; Don't decorate. My doing this hasn't caused the collapse of the United Kingdom (yet).

Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales

Put it this way.. The Royal Family is more important to the UK than any of the tossers in Parliament.

By the way how much does that institution cost us every year?
More than their worth no doubt

Mick Reill , Doncaster, England

I used to be a socialist and a republican but 11 years of noolabour have converted me into a monarchist and a possible conservative.
I would much rather have the queen than Brown or even Cameron or any bloody politician.
She is incerdible value for money and we should pay for the repairs.

John, clifton nottm, uk

The British people own these buildings and they should kept in proper repair; they are all Grade 1 listed and would have to maintained even if the Monachy was abolished and they were turned into museums.
It's little more than petty spite to refuse repairs simply because of who the occupants are !

Peter Hooper, Windsor, UK

If the Queen needs 49p of my money, she is welcome to ask for ten times as much or even more, which I would gladly give.
In tems of promotion and advertising Great Britain all over the world she has no equal.
In any event with no Queen ity would be necessary to keep up and renovate the palace.

Ron. Underwood, ROME, ITALY

How much do the Kellogs conglomorate pay to advertise their rice crispies and other sundry products advertising something which no one really needs

Ron. Underwood, ROME, ITALY

Princes and the Queen can not live or travel like the rest of us, even if they wanted. What's not mentioned in this article is the return on investment for having a monarchy. I pay for new roofs, so should the governemnt for its buildings. And don't tell me the Queen owns her homes.

Jay Art, LA, USA

She's the Queen. They're the Royal Family. The signature of this Country.
I don't mind paying my Tax's towards the Queen, she / they do a Brilliant Job in this World. I'm sure if they wasn't here, A lot of this Planet wouldn't know who we were.
This is a Royal County.

God Save The Queen.

Kirk

Kirk, Spilsby, UK

My family pays almost 40% of our income to taxes to a government that seemingly can't be trusted! I'd die to live in England and pay my taxes in the UK and know it was for a Land with rich history and a trustworthy monarchy!

Ariel G, US

Ariel Green, Keizer, US

No one is dissing Her Maj, it's the other hangers on that we can do without - those who don't contribute anything to the tourist industry. Cutting those out of the civil list might allow her to buy some new wallpaper.

Paul, Coventry,

We squander and mis-direct SO much money both at home and abroad, what is the big deal about giving our own Queen some money? She does a magnificent job and is the envy of the World.

Pedro Tam, london, uk

HMQ costs 40mill (150 repubican figures) George Bush I am told costs over 1 billion. Not sure where people get the impression that elected politicians are cheaper. In fact their "upkeep" is much greater without the cost of the elections. How many of us could keep up her work schedule? GB? Bush?

Jason Pearson, Toronto, Canada

Please note - all the American comments on this subject are more proud of our Queen than we are
We should be ashamed, more proud to be British, and pleased that we have a world reknowned head of state
Or do you all prefer the prospect of being run by the EU???

paul, notts, uk

Hey how about doing like Labour and selling honours to finance the repairs?

What do you say Robert Mugabe how about a couple of million to be Lord Mugabe??

Jason Pearson, Toronto, Canada

I think we all agree that we should preserve a peoples heritage, habitats and way of life. Then why are so many people here against our own? Destroy our grade 1 buildings, behead the monarchy, blame immigrants for everything! Why not go the whole hog and take away our tea. Brown wasnt voted in

MrD, York, England

You all have a history to maintain....part of that heritage is the beautiful buildings. Buildings need to be kept in repair to be used and viewed by al who care to visit.
ASsto the expence of *The Royals*......they are worth every penny....do research to see just what they are doing..

Clare, Baltimore, Maryland

If the Queen could reduce the travel and security costs of the "Family" then there would be ample funds for restoration and decoration. Remember that the Crown Estates were originally to pay for the army, so they did well.

D.Henry, Edinburgh, Scotland UK

Those who think the Queen sits around doing nothing all day are ignorant. She works hard performing an endless round of insufferable and tedious duties, and has to be endlessly nice to insufferable and tedious people. Our Head of State is inexpensive, has a certain cachet, and is apolitical.

Steve, Torrington,

"Bill soars 2 million" talk about taking licence! How can the times suggest 2 mill on 40 is "soaring" Let's have a look at your other headline:"Gordon Brown's 10p tax fiasco to cost another £1 billion" Whom is cheaper HMQ or GB? So if 2mill is soaring what in the bloody hell is the 10p fiasco?

Jason Pearson, Toronto, Canada

Robert Mugabe would get his country to pay all expenses for his palace. Therefore the Queen should gladly pay her own money for the rewiring.

diana, derby,

Jonathan Ross costs the the people of the UK 6.6 pence per head, per annum , via the BBC. Who presents better value for money ?

jono, Cela, Portugal.

She is the Queen! Let her have some money. If its going to cost that much to redecorate Buck House, why not utilise some unemployed people? Not the layabouts, those who are unemployed through no fault of their own? I'd go and get cracking with a tin of Dulux for pocket money and free bed and board!

yvonne, Bideford, UK

IDIOTS, IDIOTS IDIOTS!!!! To those that think that the Royals are not good value for money. Do you know how much Condolezza Rice, the US Secretary of State costs the US people? Far more than what the Queen costs us. How many people fly half way around the globe to see Ms. Rice? ZERO!

TJ, Greenock, UK

If you can't stand the heat !!
When are we as a nation going to rid outselves of these wasters. They are continually thinking not of those less fortunate but only of milking the tax payers. God help us when the future king takes up his role.
PG

PG, Ammanford, S/wales - UK

An unproposed increase in Royalty costs of 4 pence represents a rise of six and a half percent per head on the British taxpayer. Surely this is unacceptable when the workforce and pensioners of this country are continually having any income rises restricted to inflation rates.

aliruadh, Lairg,

Well, in 2007 the President of the Italian Republic costed 224,000,000 euros. Some £150,000,000.
Monarchy is cheap, probably because the head of State is not a politician.
Just imagine Cherie Blair at Buckingham Palace...

Marco, Venice,

We are rewiring houses in the Philippines to UK standards. Why not use our labour force to do this job?

Much cheaper!

Clive, Manila,

'Queen feels credit crunch' all over the media is simply a facile modern day equivalent of the 'Buckingham Palace bombed' story from the war. "They suffer just like us"? What nonesense.
As for the civil list being recompense for Crown Estates? Whose land in the first place?

Phil, London, UK

MPs cost £1Million A DAY!


In May 1997, under half our legislation came from the EU. By 2007 according to an answer in the German parliament, (HMG refused to answer), 84% came from Brussels. Our MPs (middlemen) aren't worth it.


NuLab have turned me monarchist. QEII is better value for money.

Ray Warren, Dartmouth, UK

Given how rich the royals are, it's a bit rude of them to say they need cash to put a lick of paint on the place. I wonder what the government would say to me if I asked for cash to decorate my place.

Arthur, Newcastle,

I think the cartoon underneath this article saYS IT ALL - JMost of us prefer the Queen to Jonathan Ross any day! LLTQ

Sandra, Pershore, Worcestershire

The royal family should take over Brown and mp's then. That way we know where all our money is going and she will spend it wisely. Either we get rid of the royals or abolish brown and mp's. Why should we pay for two when we just need one. And it was Labour who made our country non-British.

Jayme, Yorkshire, Britain UK

If she needs money give it to her please. She is the Queen! Not many others can say that. Let stop hating and start appreciating all she does for us.

Patel, Leicester,

Your majesty - just a thought :-
Become an MP and claim it all on second home expenses. Gorbals Mick will be only to happy to oblige provided you make him the Thane of Cawdor in exchange for his present title -The Bane of Glasgow

Stephen Green, Correns, France

Forget value for money - think value for democracy. Abolitionists want a political appointment only to suit themselves. Better the mystery of someone putting up with the job, like our parents, rather than wanting and revelling in the power.
"We must not let daylight in upon the magic" - (Bagehot)

Robert Vincent, Wildhern, Hampshire UK

I think our royal family are good value for money compared with the amount paid to footballers

Brenda Dixon, Castleford, England

This is the queen of england, if she wants money she should get it,

Andrew Furbey, Manchester, england

I am a forigner living in the UK and I am also in a higher tax bracket. But I would much rather pay 66p a year to the queen than to all the spongers and so called 'asylum seekers' living on benefits! How do these people benefit to the UK?

Sonia, Leeds,

Have things changed musc since the days of Marie Antoinette? The peasants had the right idea.

Doreen Joyner, Chateaubriant, France

Only the cost of half a litre of petrol or quarter the price of beer? I reckon I can afford to l drive down to the pub to drink her health on her birthday at least.

Robert Vincent, Wildhern, Hampshire UK

So the Queen only costs every British citizen 66p? The poorest of the people paying money for the upkeep of the 25th richest woman in the land, including flying her by helicopter to the Kentucky Derby. Why not make it a pound and call it quits?

David Bogod, Nottingham,

The Royal family is one of the wealthiest families in the world and there cannot be much sympathy.

WE are short of land to build on- so some can be sold to local Councils and not to another wealthy Estate owner.

Her grandchildren should take cuts in their standard of living
as we must

Trish NIblock, Edinburgh, UK

What a crying shame for the Queen. I know, let's increase income tax by 25% and council tax by 40% We don't mind. That should raise the required funds, then we'll all be happy.

Nick, Sale, England

Stick the old woman and the rest of her spawn in a council flat somewhere. They can learn what real life is like for a change.

Mikko Takala, Drumnadrochit, Scotland

I would like my 66p back please to help pay for my daughters student loan as do the other 5 members of my household non of who need want or desire to pay for these people.

Its shame we cant have a open debate about abolishing this outdated idea that we need these people sponging of us.

andy, chelmsford, uk

Her Majesty's accounts are approved by auditors; the accounts of the bureaucrats in Brussels haven't been 'signed off' by auditors for at least ten years. The EU costs the UK taxpayer a flipping fortune, ie billions of pounds, and yet no one seems to mind.

Tim C, Southern England, United Kingdom

Perhaps Charles could help, he seems fairly affluent. He may have to sell a few Duchy acres, but then how many does he need?

Tony Gee, London,

I dont doubt the business the royals generate for our country ...do i begrudge my 0.66p?....not really ...what i would really like to see though is the monarchy actually making a big dent in their wealth (take a note from Bill Gates) for the greater good...Cum on Queenie make a gesture..!

Mark, Peterborough, Great britain

Spend 15 minutes reading these comments.

It doesnt take very long to establish what the man in the Clapham omnibus thinks,

I think English Law would give them the benefit of the doubt.

mike, Windsor, uk

the palaces should be maintianed by the goverment as we the british peole own them and not the royal family they are owned by the state and there for shouldbe maintianed by the state ,may the SO called new labour /tory party want to get rid of the monarcy so they canput tony and cherie on the thron

nigel googe, london, england

you can say oh poor queen and the royal family only have 40 million of that money but did you know that they generate 200 million towards that money a year so our taxes arn't even higher so yer i think they have a right to worry about money when they dont even get half that money back them selves.

charlotte barnes, liss, hampshire

Mark - are you kidding - so far the "senior" royals have had adultery, divorce, co-habitation, Kiss & tell. Hmmm. great advert that is. They are human like the rest of us, and should play by the rest of societies rules (like paying tax on all capital gains).

Chris White, Thame, UK

I would rather pay for the upkeep of the Royal family rather than the up keep of a government determined to undermine the fundimental cornerstone of English law along with our civil rights

Matt, Birimingham, England

The argument about the monarchy being custodians of our heritage is specious - It is not as if we can just tip up at a palace and have a good round at "our" heritage. Also I think the 66p is also creative accounting - that is £40M divided by the entire population not the tax payers. Get rid soonest!

Chris White, Oxford, UK

I think the Royals should start living just as anybody else and the taxpayer should not have to fund their purses. I rather see my taxes go towards those graver challenges we face in the world today - poverty, starvation, injustice and terrorism.

Trent, London,

What no one ever bothers to calculate if the amount of money the Family brings into the UK! They're role in foreign relations and trade to secure business deals, the level of tourism they generate, the ammount of money the media make from Royal stories. They generate far more than they cost! LLTQ!

Barry Cashmore, Watford, UK

I demand my 66p back!

Adrian, Northwich, UK

Hang on...'cant afford'??? Give me a break. She doesn't want to spend that money. I am sure there are some Independent Financial Advisors who can help HM to re-mortgage.

Maurits Kalff, Cape Town, South Africa

Perhaps they should try and become MP's - a big family like that is bound to find ways to attract plenty of expenses!

Terry, Bagneres, France

The Queen offers good value for money, both directly, through state visits and indirectly, through a standard social marking stick, that if we all aimed for it socially, then I do not think we would be in our present situation.
What would we replace the Monarchy with? Politicians? If so then God us

Mark, Yorkshire,

how CRASS to mention this when REAL human beings are feeling REAL pain.
Tourists still go to countries without a royal family.
Is that ALL the UK has to offer, a pack of pampered spongers?
Let the lick-spittles decorate for 'em, i'd not give 'em the price of a cup of tea

Ken Wyatt, Todmorden, UK

I recommend leaving the asbestos in the roof of Buckingham palace. I've been umming and aahing about forking out £300 for my summer holiday this year.

Courtesy forbids me for suggesting where the Royal Family can stick their redecorating bill.

Ben Smith, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Seems to me the Windsors could do with a family trip to B&Q this weekend. They will be surprised how cheap it is if they don't use professional decorators. I work and do diy around the house, i am sure Charlie and the boys could roll up their sleeves and do the same.

bob, london,

The Queen is probably the best value asset in the Government. Comparisons with MPs and their sordid drain on the public purse highlight the one shining example of dedication to duty and presenting the face of the nation at home and abroad

John Pitt, Norwich, England

It is a utter disgrace that enough funds are not provided for one the world's famous monarchy for essential repairs to the palaces. It is important that these palaces are maintained for generations to come. Hope Gordon Brown will loosen the purse strings & not talk about credit crunch.

James, London, UK

The Queen is the most highly-respected and experienced head of state in the world. She does a magnificent job - long after the age and stage in life when the rest of us are allowed to retire. For this job to be under-funded by the state is an absolute disgrace, and should be set right immediately.

Edmund Burke, Kingston upon Thames, England

As a fellow pensioner I can sympathise with the Queen but I am sure that there are solutions to her present financial straits.

Perhaps the Citizens Advice Bureau could help her with benefits that she may be entitled to but is not claiming or it may be that downsizing is the answer.

Geoff., Eastbourne, UK

More articles that are look towards "anti monarchy". If government were not the power of the UK and Monarchy was still power then every single transaction of VAT, 17.5% and all those taxes people pay would be going to Royal hands and not greedy politicians, that introduced all these taxes anyway.

Joseph Gibson, Stevenston, UK

“It is high time the monarchy abided by the same standards of accountability as the rest of Government." - Don't make me laugh... when did you last see transparency or accountabilty from those bloted toads in Government?

Chantel , Wales,

How silly the people are who suggest going to B&Q for example, don't they realise that all this property is listed and has to have special treatment that puts the cost up. Our local Conservative club nearly went broke because it is a listed building and had to redecorate according to all the rules

Barbara Armstrong, Saffron Walden, Essex

The Royal family do not represent ordinary people. They represent and promote the values of elitism which by definition is exclusive, indulgent, and at the expense of others. A referendum on abolition is long overdue!

Gerrard Casey, London,

I can't afford to pay for maintenance and repairs either - and I don't have the income-level and property enjoyed by the Queen and her family. I own only one house, so I'm economising to pay for urgent repairs. I can't open my home to tourists or sell a spare house. I want that 66p back.

kath, Nottingham, England

The Royal Family are a part of our country. Give them the funds even if the people have to give their 66p per person. Having the Queen contributes an enormous amount to the state. She is the states PR and a safe guard on the government. Remember the Queen has to sign declarations of war.

Khalid Schofield, Oxford, UK

Her Majesty the Queen, God bless her! should become an MP and then she could charge all the expenses of her London home to expenses as do the others. She represents the best value for Britain; may she reign many more years yet!

George, Bolton, England

I can't wait till Buckingham Palace becomes a hotel...

Farrukh, Woking,

That their Palaces are a tourist attraction is not a valid reason for keeping an unelected Head of State. The Russian Czar abdicated some 90 years ago, but the royal palaces remain a tourist attraction and a source of revenue, the same can be said for the French ex-royal palaces.

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Do the repairs on Buckingham Palace, the horse carriages, and spruce up the guard. We all love the Royal Family even if they are partly human some of the time....

J.D., Honolulu, USA

The Queen and the monarchy are the drawcard for many tourists to your country and therefore add many millions to the local economy there. Why would you want the monarchy to be anything other than majestic. These buildings are the icons of your British uniqueness.

Heather , Brisbane, Australia

The Royal Family Members were very economy minded during the hard times of WWII. I am sure they will show strength of character and economize again.

Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA

They're good value for my money anyday but where does the revenue go from all the tourists that visit the Castles & Palaces?

sue southern, Corby, UK

costing the equivalent of 66p per year per tax payer.

i am happy to give £1.32 this year.

just take it out of my wage packet and leave our monarchy in place. its one of the only thing left to remind us that we were once a great country before the politics screwed it all up

Long live the queen

simon, walsall, uk

Am I wrong ...I remember reading somewhere that Prince Charles and The Queen are Tax payers themselves ( dont hear them complaining about the money they pay into the country) and to be honest the people who cheat the benefit system are more of a drain. ALL politicians have there own Police guard

Lorraine Durling, stevenage, England

What rubbish to try and downplay the queen's vast personal wealth. She is the richest woman in the world and her personal estate will pay ZERO death duties when she dies.
My old widowed mum's estate paid death duties.

William Miles, Windsor, England

You do have to redecorate and upkeep the palaces with or without a monarch. They are national treasures/heritage. It is the duty of the government to upkeep national sites, as in ALL countries.
As for the comment that the royals are always smiling - that is their job! You try smiling continuously!

Edwin Heng, Singapore, Singapore

As for how much the royal trips cost: if they are undertaking by the request of the government, should not the tabs and the accountability be taken up by the government too? Then, complaints on the luxury in travel - how will UK appear with its head of state travelling via economy class?

Edwin Heng, Singapore, Singapore

"Queen can't afford to redecorate"

Then I suggest she do as any normal person would, go out to work and EARN. Failing that sale a painting or two!

Petefergie, Bristol, UK

Get a day job? This IS their job! Do you think it's pure luxury standing around, walking around, shaking hands, putting a smile ALL the time, making small talk, international travel for diplomacy, to enhance UK's influence through a non-threatening symbol etc ALL THE TIME. You try doing that!

Edwin Heng, Singapore, Singapore

Can't afford to redecorate the Palace? These people are millionaires. Is it a case of wanting the public to finance them - as usual?

Neil, Gloucestershire, England

Are the palaces really royal property? They are national property. How much does it cost France to upkeep its palaces? Versailles? How much does it cost the United States to upkeep its heritage buildings? The Congress building? Just name any country. Historical national buildings must be upkept.

Edwin Heng, Singapore, Singapore

Downsize - lots of do

Sean, Coventry, UK

Does Graham Smith and his little campaign group take into account the fact that without the Queen, the palace and all the guards that come with it, people wouldn't bother visit london...

Rob, Madrid,

She'll just have to move to one of the other palaces instead.

Poor thing, how will she manage.

David, St Albans, UK

I have an ex-council house she can move into. The maintenance is far less than Buck House and as I'm a far more useful member of society than her I'll have her house. I also wouldn't need additional monies for all the hangers on.

John Sinclair, Aberdeen, UK

transparent and accountable just like the rest of Government ???

hawkesbury, glos, uk

the same standards of accountability as the rest of government? what like MPS expense claims for second homes, and using family members as staff without them actually working.

noddy, Toytown,

How much does Graham Smith contribute to the influx of business opportunities and tourism in the UK ?

Case closed.

Dave, Lincoln,

You have to take in account though how much money the royals bring back into this countries economy. I think 66p per person is a bargain!!

Sarah Ashley, Bedford, UK

All together now: aaah! Someone should tell Queenie she can save money by shopping at Lidl!

Liz, Inverness, UK

I think, I am prepared to give up one newspaper a year for the Queen. I would rather have her than some of the corrupt European presidents.

C.Wood, Camberley, UK

Get a day job or take a loan,like any of us.

Marie, London, UK

Scandalous waste of money, it might be a better proposition if the younger elements of the royals were trained in proper work, and did an apprenticeship in the building trade, then they could do a bit of DIY on the royal properties

Peake A C, Plouasne, France

I am not a royalist but I think that the Queen is a national treasure. Royal palaces are part of our national heritage and we should spend for their upkeep. It is a matter of good governance to evaluate costs and value so I support that too.

SK, Shanghai, PR China

Join the real world and cut your expenses.

david greaves, york, england

Just the cost of Presidential elections every 4 years is about 1 billion.Add in all the costs of the President the rest of the time & your costs must be close to 800M year. So if HMQ costs 150M & Bush costs $800M. Elect GB President he seems worth 4 or 5 times HMQ. I think Blair is available also

Jason Pearson, Toronto, Canada

I think the anti monarchy group need to get a grip. 66 pence per person is not that much considering the tourism revenue they generate - people coming to see the palace, windsor castle etc every year. It is less than 1/3 pint of beer and most of us wouldn't think twice about buying a beer, even now.

Matt, Didcot,

“It is high time the monarchy abided by the same standards of accountability as the rest of government."

Which standards can he mean?

Neil McF, Southampton, England

Do as we do all.Get a day job,or take a loan!Or sale a property

Marie, London, UK

“It is high time the monarchy abided by the same standards of accountability as the rest of government." Is he serious?

David Masu, Zürich,

Let them eat cake.

ronnie, bucks, UK

The credit crunch must be far worse than I thought.
If one of the worlds wealthiest women cannot afford to decorate her house what hope is there for the rest of us?

Allan Orchard, Lincolnshire, U.K.

She could use some of her own 2 billion fortune to redecorate - as other tenants often have to do.

eric campbell, harrogate, uk

Ridiculous that the palaces can't be updated and maintained. These are treasures belonging to the State and to the people.

Another story is the Royal trips abroad. I think the duke of York can stay home without dire consequences for the UK. The others have to be firmly kept within a fixed budget

robert, vancouver, bc

The Queen is a perfect solution to jobs the work needs doing on the palace, then create the jobs and give her 10% of the cost or retire the Royals.

Eric, Hastings, UK

As I understand it, Buckingham Palace is Crown property but is not the queen's personal property any more than the White House is our President's personal property. In my opinion, the government should help with the upkeep. It is a symbol of your country and one should be proud of it.

Scarlett Cross, Baytown, TX, USA

At 66p a year theres plenty of other things I'd axe first. If everyone with issues with the royals put there energies in to 'real' problem areas, the benefit to the nation would be far more dramatic.

August, Lboro, UK

As an American descendant of the Hanover line I'm always surprised by the loyalty to the Queen and the Royal Family. It would be interesting to know how much they bring to the UK in tourism though. It would certainly make the cost of keeping them sound less outlandish.

Robert, Orem, USA

One despairs of the state of written English in some of these posts. The difference between "their" and "there" is meant to have been grasped in Primary School!

As for the Queen, she has been cheated. Crown Estates increase in real value, Civil List decreases. But then, we are run by the Scots now.

Bill, Suzhou, China

sack the lot of them,give em all proper jobs, make em scrub the loos like we have to, lazy sods they are

gill harwood, huntingdon, cambs

If the York girls ' parents paid the security costs that would save half a million, and if Beatrice paid rent equal to the amount of Eugenie's school fees [$23,000 p.a.] that would be a start. And who pays the bar bills for the Windsor princes? Savings all over!

LouLou, Los Lunas, USA

Why blame the Queen for the lack of maintenance. She is not qualified to determine what needs maintenance. This article is designed to discredit her. The system what ever it be, is at fault not the Queen.

Jim Wills, Brisbane, Austalia

BoB H. I dare say public hanging might be a tourist draw, but that does not mean it is a good thing. I am marginally in favour of retaining the monarchy, but only because the alternatives are no better.

Jonathan, Huddersfield,

I dislike the " famlly" , but they are British. We should start to be proud of this! We have James Bond, the Royal Family and , let me tell from abroad, we are British and should be proud of it!

Chris, Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic

For god sakes don't say out loud that we need some repairs done. Some Tories will want her to be on one of those god awfull US fixer up TV Shows. I can see it now "this Palace sponsored by Home Depot". Gawdy billboards on the front lawn. Phillip standing on the lawn in Dungarees with a saw. Yikes!

Jason Pearson, Toronto, Canada

“With no increase in funding for 12 years the backlog in essential maintenance has continued to grow.”

You would think after 12 years she would hire a plumber and decorator,,,,,,,I remember once in the past jokes about council house renters waiting years for the council toarrive to fix something

Nicholas Iles, Oswestry, Shropshire

Dear God, let us be done with these relics...

James, Newcastle,

England should certainly feel proud to have the Queen. If we didn't have the royal family, how can anyone feel true English. Also 66p is nothing to pay...how can anyone complain....

Rose, Oxford,

I like having a royal family-it makes our country feel special.

The argument about abolishing the monarchy to save money doesnt add up- we would still have to support a president-how much did George Bush cost last year?

Louise , Leicester,

The Queen is the best asset that this country has.

Who wants a president? Perhaps you'd like Tony Blair.

leila, manchester, uk

To those who say she costs us money, perhaps they should look at how much the crown estate generates for the treasury: £200m per year. Or how much tourism the royal family bring to the UK, many visitors to this country love the fact that we have the Queen and she is a big tourist draw.

Bob H, Epsom, UK

Waste of time moaning about it. SHE is worthy of her money but the hangers on and grace and favour parasites should be told to go. Government has got one hell of a cheek freezing her money when all they do is waste ours so brazenly. She should become friendly with Michael Martin. He's got plenty

Alan, London,

How does this compare with the the claims by Members of Parliament second home expenses?

Frank Osborne, East Grinstead, England

All these republicans should remember that George IV accepted the Civil List arrangement in exchange for the government taking over the Crown Estates. The monarchy would be justified in asking for them back, and they're worth a lot more than the Civil List......

george wood, brighton, uk

If the monarchy stays then it should be funded. These people are on duty 24/7 for life. They get lots of expensive perks, but they're watched like animals in a zoo & the photogs, newspapers, etc. make money off them. The Queen doesn't own the palace so why should she pay for their maintenance?

Jill, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

The gist of this news report seems, for me, to highlight royal buildings maintenance costs against Royal visits etc.
Solution is to surely remove Royals from these properties and develop the palaces and castles as national heritage sites on a profitable basis?

Bond, Cwm Llinau, Wales

What happens to all the money taken from visitors at Buchingham Palace and Windsor Castle? Surely it should be spent on the upkeep of both buildings!

k Futter, SWindon,

We should give her a council flat that she can afford. Is she claiming her winter fuel allowance! that might help..

Keith, Perigueux, France

Perhaps her majesty should have a car boot sale to raise a few pounds?

Fred, Moray, Scotland

I know just how she feels: the chandeliers in my house haven't been replaced for years; frankly, they're an absolute bloody disgrace!

Robert, KINGSTON Upon Hull, UK

What exactly were you planning on spending that 66p on? This month's rent? Petrol? Food? Be realistic!

And of course, chances are that people who have trouble paying for those things are paying considerably less than 66p, because tax is taken as a percentage of income.

Calum Macnab, St Boswells,

about time we rid ourselves of the queen and the rest of the parasites who have been on our backsand ourparents beforeus. the old excuse about bringing in the tourists dosent wash any more,paris and rome bring in more tourists than us and they dont have any royalty.give them nothing.gerry hamps.

gerard connelly, ringwood, u.k

At least she publishes her accounts unlike 10 Downing St & the Parliament!

Arthur, St Andrews,

She needs to redecorate as there are Prime Ministers & Presidents from across the world always coming over.

Roy, London,

The 66p is for the Queen and 18 other members of the Royal family. Not bad when compared to the 22 member cabinet!!

Andrew, Edinburgh,

As head of state of other nations as well, do the Royals get support from those Commonwealth nations? Citizens and corporations from those nations as well could contribute to a private foundation for remodeling, as we do for the White House in the US with the White House Endowment Trust.

Rod Goins, Salisbury NC, USA

Dave from Slough, if we do include the palaces, gifts & antiques in the balance sheet, the cost per person would be far lesser as they are assets. However, they are not included because the Queen doesn't actually own them and cant sell them for money.

Hugh, York,

What a shower of puerile nonsense. With billions going to Europe, how can we complain over this? I'll double my end. At least I know where it's going and it's not there to undermine this country's standing. Usual thoughtless anti-royalty nonsense from dim-wits.

James Cullup, Oxford,

I'd gladly come over and put in a few dollars for the cause, but with the dollar-pound exchang rate, I'll have to sell some body parts.

Philip, New York, USA

I've got a half tin of white emulsion she can have,poor luv.
Every little helps.

BRIAN, NEWPORT, GWENT

I shall have the monarchy over that thing they call the EU anytime anyday.

GB shall never falls into the hands of the republicans and repeat the mistakes that the French made; we shall not succumb to the trade unions.

Chris, Cambridge, UK

My guess is that the royals generate much more in tourism revenue than their cost of upkeep. This doesn't even factor in the prestige and goodwill that they generate for Briton around the world. Their a bargain at twice the price.

(and this is coming from a colonist!)

Jack, San Diego, USA

Perhaps its time the Queen was handed back the Crown estates especially as she now pays tax. The state has reneged on the deal.

Paul Davis, York, uk

far more transparent, accountable and better value than any of the inhabitants of the palace of westminister. give the queen a pay rise!

colin, belfast,

We could let MPs, use the spare rooms, and use there 2nd home allowances, repairing the palace, and other state ministerial buildings, sufficient to accommodate all parlimentry MPs, once repairs are completed, the 2nd home allowance could be put in to the crown estate, for future repairs!

Pauline, clacton, UK

Michael
There is no evidence that tourists come to the United Kingdom specifically to see the Royal Family. They may come to see thew buildings associated\with he monarchy, but that's all. The most popular tourist attraction in Europe is the Palace of Versailles - no monarchy there!

James, London,

I would rather double my contribution to the Royal Family than be paying millions for aborted murder trials and futile Gov.t initiatives.

Howard Hardy, Manchester, United KIngdom

Does she know that kitcen doors are £1 in B&Q at the moment? Marm better be quick though, their going like hot cakes!

Mrs Birch, Kent, England

The Royal Accountants are economical with the truth. They do not produce a balance sheet (palaces plus gifts plus antiques etc) and divide that by 60 million.
I bet there's several thousand per head tied up, and I don't see any interest on it coming my way. More than 66p per year foregone, I bet.

Dave, Slough,

I think we should just go back to being a Monarchy again, that would solve loads of problems.

Mike, Leeds, UK

For those who think the royal family are value for money post the Queen a cheque, better still, queue up with the tourists, and visit our Windsor Castle and our Buckingham Palace, and pay the exorbitant entrance fee to look at "our" treasures.

Andrew Graham, London, UK

But the government are more than happy to keep increasing grants to local councils to waste

adrian cockerill, norwich, UK

I think having a queen is quaint! At least, you all don't have to put up with having a head of state who has actual duties who doesn't have a clue what he's doing.

Patrick, Ketchikan, USA

What happens to all the money from the summer opening of Buckingham Palace. Surely that money could be used to help maintain the state rooms?

Tony Stewart, Chicago, USA

I'm a US citizen, so I really don't have a dog in this fight. But, this seems relevant: The Queen is your Head of State. She represents your nation to the world. As long as she is in that position, for the honor of your nation, she and her family should have residences fit for a head of state.

Terry L. Walker, Ladson, SC / USA

Option 5001; Sell a Rembrandt drawing and pay for the work for the next 50 years.

Nick Garrett, London,

Oh dear. She'll have to put it off for a year or two then - like the rest of us (except Speaker Martin of course, he can redecorate at our expense any time he chooses because he decides what the expense Rules are! and he likes spending our money)

Donna Walker, Effingham, England

I wish I had a penny for every pound she has got.

M Wilson, Bidache, france

“It is high time the monarchy abided by the same standards of accountability as the rest of Government." That's hilarious. Royal finances are more transparent and give better value for money than the elected bit of the Government.

william Haines, northwood,

The Queen is glorious and worth every penny

Albert Cooper, Norwich, Norfolk

Surely the amount of tourism revenue and associated tax would more than cover the £40 million. Just having the monarchy in this country must generate attract an enormous number of foreign tourists.

Michael, London,

She should get down to B&Q and organise a bit of DIY - then they will find out what work is like - but they would rather let it fall down, than do anything about it themseles, apart from beg. - they should get one of the Royals to be an MP then they can claim everything on tax free expenses.

Marty, London,

The Queen does more good for Britain than all the trough scrapers in the House of Commons put togetether. One of the first acts of destroying Great Britain was Labour's refusal to replace the Royal Yacht Britannia.

That point of time was was illusory for me. It has been all down hill since then.

Edwin, Bucxharest,

I would gladly pay an extra couple pennies to maintain the upkeep of the palace. After all to foreign dignitaries, ambassadores and leaders of other countries it is a representation of our country and its greatness. I'd want it to be something to be proud of.

R Chatterjee, Leeds, UK

Personally I think the monarchy represents excellent value for money at twice price the price. The EU costs each of us more than £1000 per year... the monarchy just 66p.... if the dunderheads who are anti monarchy can't figure it out then I suppose theres no hope for any of us.

abharrisson, london,

Downsize.

Anna, London, UK

She should consult with the King of the Zulus. He not only redecorates frequently but gets new palaces every time he takes a new wife.

Brian O Cinneide, eThekwini, Afrika Borwa

"Republic, the anti-monarchy campaign group, said that the true bill to the taxpayer would be nearer £150 million"

Even at that figure, given what the Queen surrenders from the Crown Estates in return for the Civil List, the taxpayer is still in profit.

How much does football cost in policing?

Anthony, Brum,

Am i the only one thinking, way are we paying to keep the rich'ist woman in the world? And what do we get for all that money?

oliver, earls colne, UK

Instead of competing with the Olyimpics the Palace should work with them - Buck House would make a grand Olyimpic village - there must a good few guest rooms that could be used and upgraded in the process...

Annemarie , Toronto, Canada

Now lets see we have a Scottish ex Chancellor , tighten purse strings what a laugh. The Queen is head of State, Gordon Brown is just a tenant in a posh house in London ( not for long though). Does anyone think 66p per year is alot of money to keep the Monarchy going I dont its barely 1/2ltr of 4star

michael, chelmsford,

Better value than the Houses of Parliament. How much does our fake democracy cost us a year?

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

So what neither can I.

May be she should stop her children spending so much on there nights out at clubs.

They spend in one night the equivalent a pensioner spends in one year.

I would like to say ‘welcome to my world’ alas they do not understand my world.

Leo, Birmingham, England

Why am I having difficulty fostering any sympathy? Oh, I just remembered, it's because I'm distracted by having to decide if I'll buy groceries or pay the rent before going broke this month.

Shaun Smith, Toronto, Canada

Do what the rest of us do. Get the sons and grandsons in. A few rolls of anaglypta, some paint and rollers will soon have the old place looking like new.

John Amendall, Oldham, England

I would be more than happy to add another 34p in order to support such a magnificent set of ambassadors for Britain.

How much does it cost to run the UK Embassy in Paris?

Mark Elton, London,

The Queen has given over £18 bn of assets to UK (Crown estate / Royal Art Collection), the least we can do is give her house a lick of paint.

Elfie Swain, Manchester,

oh dear, i feel so bad the Queen can't redecorate, never mind the many of her subjects who have not got a home to decorate. I like having the monarchy but its about time they financed themselves.
Do what the rest of us do in a crunch, slim down and cut the chaffe.

L.Allen, Hampstead, UK

Peanuts compared to the billions squandered by Bliar, Brown and Co.

Albert Hall, Kettering,

I have no problem whatsoever with 66p of my money paying towards the Royal upkeep. It's easy to criticise them but would anyone rather have Gordon Brown as the sole figurehead for the UK....

Craig, UK,

Maybe the Queen could pay some of the costs from her personal wealth which, I'm sure, is sufficient to meet the cost of some of the work that needs to be undertaken. After all, she is the person who resides in the palaces and castles. I don't expect the public to pay for the upkeep of my own house.

Mrs J Davies, KIDWELLY, WALES

Oh poor queen and royal family only have £40 million of taxpayers money to spend on themselves. No wonder they are always smiling . I wonder whether the use of the helicopter to attend a party was paid for by taxpayers ?. Yes of course it was. What with all the sponging MP's and Royal Family !

John, Woking, Surrey