A new poll has revealed that 54% of British voters want the amount of public money given to the Royal Family reduced, following a nearly £50 million increase in the Sovereign Grant over three years. The survey, conducted by Deltapoll for The Mirror, comes as the Government reviews the grant this year, with legislation promised to lower it.
The Sovereign Grant, which funds King Charles's official duties, rose to £137.9 million in the current financial year, up from £132.1 million in 2025/26. The increase partly funds £369 million of repairs to Buckingham Palace over a decade. A Treasury spokesman confirmed the review will ensure the grant is set at an appropriate level.
The poll also found that 63% of respondents said their opinion of the Royal Family has remained unchanged since Charles became King, while one in five said it had worsened. The monarch has faced difficulties, including allegations about his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested in February over misconduct claims and denied wrongdoing.
However, King Charles enjoyed a successful state visit to the US last month, receiving ovations during a speech to Congress. Despite this, public spending on the royals remains contentious, with Labour peer Lord George Foulkes calling for a more radical review, noting the cost-of-living crisis and homelessness.
Baroness Margaret Hodge, the Government's anti-corruption champion, said the Sovereign Grant has 'run out of time' and urged cuts to reflect the rest of Britain. She also called for greater transparency over royal income. The most recent accounts show £41.2 million spent on property maintenance, £4.7 million on travel, and £475,000 on helicopter flights.
