Poll: Buckingham Palace Now Wants A Refurb

[deuse]

We can't have the Queen living in a run down council house. The refurb is worth every penny. Maybe we should be trying for an EU grant, don't they farm something in the grounds...

 

[Terminal_Boy]

I would.

No problems here. We can't have old Lizzy living in sub-standard accommodation!

60+ years since last refurbishment, and related toruism/trade revenue from the Monarchy will more than pay for it!

This.

 

[Bensons]

When King William moves in he might want to change the decoration yet again

 

[Hitman_Leon]

Wouldn't this just come from the revenues of the Crown Estate? They made a few hundred million profit last year, IIRC.

15% of crown estate profits, Sovereign Grant formula.

So it seems as though the crown estates fund the Queen, of course that money would go to the public purse if not funding the Queen. The Queen generates tourism which most likely puts more than the grant given back into the country.

 

[eddiemcgarrigle]

Isn't Lizzie rich enough to pay for it herself?

 

[sprite1275]

Couldn't they get someone to do a foreigner, maybe do it at the weekends.

 

[iamtheoneneo]

When King William moves in he might want to change the decoration yet again

Sounds like its more structural then actual aesthetics.

I don't mind, massive old properties like this will naturally cost a lot to renovate given the skilled labour that is involved.
Better that then see it becoming eventually a health hazard/derelict.

 

[Schlong&Stable]

I'd contribute. She is our Head of State and the state of the Palace reflects on the prestige of our nation.

 

[Washout]

It helps in certain areas of the country, yes, but there are others who don't benefit one jot.

True enough but any tax paid on what they spend would go to the national coffers.

 

[The Dread Pirate]

I belive it's worth it to keep our tourist industry alive ateotd most tourists come to see the royal residences and try catch a glimpse of the Queen!

 

[Mynight]

There are parts of the Houses of Parliament where the stone will crumble in your hand...

Upon which our MPs principles are built on .

 

[Efour]

lottery grant subsidy - and they pay 33% would be a noble gesture.

 

[.Lethal]

To remove asbestos, replace wiring and such as stated in the article then yes I'd say that's due an update after so many years.

 

[olivier renault]

Kinda like a living museum then, where the exhibits haven't been stuffed and put on display yet.

However I may loathe the royals, I can't be a hypocrite about it TBH, museums and national monuments get refurbed regularly on the continent (Louvres, Eiffel Tower, some random posh castle).

So yeah, whatever. In France, we have a whole ministry dedicated to supporting culture, historical monuments and art. That kind of thing would probably fall within their jurisdiction, and no one would bat an eyelid.

People always look at the number and gasp, think that kind of money would be put to better use. Well, if you can't even afford a bit of cultural identity, you really have some more serious s*** to worry about.

 

[Cosimo]

Wouldn't this just come from the revenues of the Crown Estate? They made a few hundred million profit last year, IIRC.

I should think it will as the Crown Estate owns the property. The last profit was £285m which went to the treasury so it will be easily covered.

More about the Crown Estate:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...rown-Estate-pays-record-285m-to-Treasury.html

and the Queen's Sovereign Grant:

Spoiler

 

[Amp34]

I try and look beyond The Royal Family. Buckingham Palace is a national landmark really, and pulls in thousands upon thousands of tourists and domestic visitors over any given year - even more so when parades like Trooping the Colour are on.

I don't really see it as the Queen getting a refurbished house. I see it more like maintaining a national icon, and allowing it to continue bringing in tourists and visitors long after HRH is dead and buried.

It's not even owned by the royal family anyway. It's essentially the official residence of the head of state... Much like the White House (for example).

 

[Belly]

I wonder how much VAT the government has accrued (less what they've spent on there own expenses of course) on the sale of royal paraphernalia like: post cards, mugs, tatty T shirts etc? Surely there's enough to give the palace a make-over?

Of course there are still thousands of East European (EU of course) painters & decorators just waiting for the call.

 

[George Hincapie]

It's not even owned by the royal family anyway. It's essentially the official residence of the head of state... Much like the White House (for example).

That's my understanding also. It's owned by the Crown Estates.

 

[JAzz]

First it was the houses of parliament now the palace wants a £150 million refurb. How many people here would actually willingly donate money to this if you had a choice (which you don't)?

http://news.sky.com/story/1507347/palace-refurb-may-force-queen-to-move-out

Shouldn't need to donate anything, the Royals bring in this country a lot more than they take out. Also the work is long overdue so I don't see the problem.

 

[Hotwired]

It's a gigantic building that happens to be hugely iconic.

If you slack off on repairs for decades this is the kind of bill you end up with.

Go ask how much repairs cost on comparable national icons in other countries. It's never cheap.