CAMPAIGNERS have called for the Sovereign Grant to be scrapped as the UK Government prepares to bring in legislation that will double the royal family's core funding.
The UK Government is adjusting the grant to a core annual funding level of £99.9 million by 2027-28, nearly doubling baseline support as the royal share of Crown Estate profits increases from 12% to 20.5%
In 2024/25, the sovereign grant was worth £51.8m.
Anti-monarchy group Republic has said the grant is not fit for purpose, highlighting it has more than quadrupled in size since it was introduced in 2011.
Campaigners say it is linked to arbitrary profits from a state-owned property portfolio, rather than being based on need.
CEO Graham Smith said: "When ministers are struggling to manage prisons, fund schools or fix the NHS, it is outrageous that they are planning to throw another £50m a year at the royals.
"The true cost of the monarchy is well in excess of half a billion pounds when everything is accounted for. That figure will continue to rise if the Sovereign Grant remains in place.
"By contrast, the Irish president, who performs a similar role, costs around £4m a year.
"The royals are taking the taxpayers for a ride, and it's time MPs stood up to them."
The amount given to the royals has rocketed in the past 15 years despite the number of working royals falling. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles amid the fallout over his friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also quit the institution in 2020 and moved to the US, but made a return to Britain last week raising fears the taxpayer may end up forking out for the couple’s security.
"Linking royal funding to Crown Estate profits makes no sense at all. It's all smoke and mirrors invented to suggest some legitimacy in the arrangement. The truth is this is a royal con," Smith added.
"The monarchy is expensive because it's secretive and corrupt. While it continues to exist, its cost should be slashed to below £10m; Charles should be put on a salary like anyone else."
"The rest of the royals can pay their own way, including paying for their own security and palatial homes."
The grant is an annual payment to fund the monarch's official duties, such as overseas trips.
The payment, which is based on Crown Estate profits, also covers the cost of palace maintenance and employing staff.
