'Buckingham Palace has to earn its keep with 397 million of public money being spent on it'

Although King Charles and Queen Camilla won't live at Buckingham Palace after its 397 million refurb, the landmark will remain the operational centre of "monarchy HQ"

22:00, 25 Jun 2026

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Voice of the Mirror has its say...

If 397 million of public money has been spent renovating Buckingham Palace, in which the King will now not live, the public is entitled to ask what exactly we are getting for it? Some will call it an outrage. Others will call it consolidation. Since taking the throne, Charles has moved to slim down the Royal Family and make better use of its assets, reflecting growing public concern over cost. So staying at Clarence House rather than reclaiming Buckingham Palace as a full-time home fits that approach. A smaller monarchy means fewer grand residences run at public expense. Equally, critics cannot demand the institution shrink, then call it a scandal when it does. But Buckingham Palace still has to earn its keep. A taxpayer-funded palace cannot sit behind gilded gates purely as a backdrop for state occasions and souvenir tea towels. Open it up. Let more people in. Send the ticket money to the Treasury. The monarchy's future won't rest on historic sentiment. It will rest on proving its worth.

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