Most Brits want to see the amount of public money given to the Royal Family reduced.
A survey conducted for The Mirror found that 54% of voters would like the Sovereign Grant - which has increased by nearly £50 million in three years - to be decreased.
The money provided to King Charles to perform his duties is under review this year, with the Government promising new legislation to lower it. Discussions are in progress between the Treasury and the royal household before an announcement.
The grant increased to £137.9 million this financial year - up from £132.1 million in 2025/26. It grew by £45.8 million from 2024/25 - a surge to help fund £369 million of repairs to Buckingham Palace over a decade.
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A Treasury spokesperson told The Mirror: “The next review of the Sovereign Grant is happening this year. It will ensure that it is set at an appropriate level."
Under the Sovereign Grant Act 2011, introduced by former Tory Chancellor George Osborne, the monarch receives a percentage of profits from the Crown Estate each year. The Royal Trustees – the Prime Minister, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Keeper of the Privy Purse, the royal treasurer – are considering whether the percentage remains appropriate or needs changing.
No date for the decision has been established.
In March, Treasury Minister Lord Livermore stated in a written response: "The Government is committed to introducing legislation to reset the Grant to a lower level from 2027-28 once the Buckingham Palace renovations are complete."
The survey by Deltapoll also revealed that 63% said their opinion of the Royal Family has remained the same since Charles became King. One in five said it had worsened.
The monarch has faced a challenging few months with a series of allegations about his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The disgraced royal - who lost his titles and was expelled from the royal lodge last year - was arrested in February over allegations of misconduct in public office.
He was subsequently released on bail. Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor has previously denied any wrongdoing in his association with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The arrest came amid allegations he leaked sensitive information to the businessman while he served as a UK trade envoy.
However, King Charles was uplifted by a successful state visit to the US at the end of last month. He charmed Donald Trump and received multiple ovations during a speech to the US Congress.
Nonetheless, public spending on the royals remains a contentious issue. Last month, The Mirror reported that the Government faces calls for a "radical" reevaluation.
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Labour peer Lord George Foulkes said: "Thereâs a growing concern that when many people are finding the cost of living difficult, when there are many people homeless, when there are many people struggling, you see the royal estates and you see the Queen traveling by helicopter to a race meeting (at Plushporton Racecourse), itâs becoming increasingly unacceptable.
"And so it really needs to be a much more radical review than it has been in the past."
And Baroness Margaret Hodge, who was appointed as the Governmentâs anti-corruption champion in 2024, said: "Itâs (the Sovereign Grant) reached its end... One would hope they will return with something that reduces it, so it reflects whatâs happening in the rest of Britain."
She advocated for greater transparency over royal income. The Sovereign Grant is used to fund the Kingâs official duties, including staff costs, travel, and palace maintenance. The most recent statement, covering 2023/24, revealed £41.2 million was spent on property maintenance and £4.7 million on travel.
There was £475,000 spent on 141 helicopter flights, while a charter flight to and from Belfast and helicopters around Northern Ireland cost £80,000. The salaries of 539 individuals were also covered.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said last month: “The Sovereign Grant is reviewed every five years by the Royal Trustees, which include the Chancellor, to ensure the level of funding for the Royal Household remains appropriate to support the official duties of The Sovereign in his roles as Head of State, Nation, and the Commonwealth. Each year the Royal Household publishes a report outlining how the Sovereign Grant is spent, and the Sovereign Grant accounts are audited by the National Audit Office.”
Crime & Courts Correspondent
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