The monarchy's expected £100million grant from the taxpayer is a "bitter pill to swallow for a lot of people", according to the Mirror's royal editor Russell Myers.
It comes as former Cabinet member Lord George Foulkes has argued the public is not getting value for the £100million it is set to hand over next year to fund the royals.
He was expected to say that the funding - known as the Sovereign Grant - must be revised as Britain endures a lasting cost of living crisis. And on this week's episode of the Mirror's award-winning podcast Pod Save the King, the cash for the monarch is discussed and it is questioned if there should be more transparency on royal finances.
Royal finances under scrutiny
Russell told the YouTube show: "How can you sort of sit back and have a man at the top of the shop [King] who is worth £2 billion, and we are still paying for the fuel for their helicopter and for the royal train to leave the station? I think that is a bitter pill to swallow for a lot of people."
The Mirror's deputy royal editor Jennifer Newton agreed, as she argued that if the monarchy was more forthcoming with their finances, the public would be able to have a more informed opinion about how taxpayer cash is being used.
Jennifer explained: "I think if there was more transparency, even if the numbers don't look particularly good or the optics aren't good, but at least if they were being a bit more transparent, we could then have a more honest conversation and debate about it."
Cost of living crisis
Russell agreed, saying: "It is a fine balancing act. I understand where Lord is coming from, but it will be very interesting to see if this gains any traction. Because, I mean, I think we are in such a state, not only here but across the world, of this cost of living crisis that is just unending.
"And how on earth can we keep on funnelling this money? Should the government be putting more pressure, rather than sort of treating the royal family with kid gloves? Are we getting value for money?"
Lord Foulkes previously told the Mirror he was incensed by the monarch's use of private jets and helicopters and questioned why the family needs so many homes while making public statements on homelessness.
Sovereign Grant questioned
He was expected to tell peers that the UK has by far the most expensive state-funded monarchy in Europe as he argued the Sovereign Grant is too high.
The former Scotland Secretary was to say in his address: "When we ask the public to fund an institution to the tune of over just under £100 million a year through the Sovereign Grant, at a time when many are facing severe pressure on their household budgets, we have a duty to ask two fundamental questions - are we getting value for money, and do the actions of this institution match the values it preaches? I would argue that the answer to both is no."
Lord Foulkes added: "While European neighbours have streamlined their royal houses, we continue to fund a sprawling network of 'working royals' whose ribbon-cutting duties would, in any other sector, face strict audit and productivity metrics."
The grant is an annual payment to fund the monarch's official duties, such as overseas and domestic trips, while also paying for the ongoing £369 million refurbishment of Buckingham Palace.
The payment - based on profits from both the Crown Estate and taxpayer funds - also covers the cost of employing staff, upkeep on royal residences around the UK, and hosting official events such as garden parties and state visits.
New episodes of the Mirror's award-winning royal podcast Pod Save The King are available each week on YouTube.
