Last December it looked as though the royals would have to follow MPs in adapting to the new age of open, accountable government. Freedom of Information cases such as looking at MP's expenses had shifted the default position from automatic secrecy for the powerful to the belief that power must be open and accountable to the people.

The Independent newspaper had just won a three-year battle for the disclosure of public subsidies paid for the upkeep of royal palaces.

The information commissioner ruled in favour of the Independent, saying:
"Disclosure … would enhance public awareness and understanding of the funding and accommodation arrangements of the royal household and this would be in the public interest." He went on: "The discussions relate to the spending of the Grant in Aid which is specifically in relation to the maintenance and upkeep of the Royal Household. In the commissioner's view, disclosure would not undermine the privacy of, nor the constitutional position of, the royal family

When some of the information was finally released in March 2010 the nature of the correspondence was much like that of MPs' expenses – it showed the only "harm" was embarrassment.
The palace was shown to be lobbying for more money while at the same time providing rent-free accommodation (grace and favour) to a number of minor royals and courtiers

The Independent published some of this information on Wednesday, 31 March 2010

It also acquired information that there was a £40,000 overspend in the refurbishment of the kitchen and coffee room of Windsor Castle.
The kitchen is used to prepare hot drinks for the Queen and her household.
The workmen uncovered voids under the floors which might provide "rat runs".
The refurbishment of York House (St James's Palace) led to an overspend of £99,000.


The total cost to the public of keeping the monarchy increased by £1.5m to £41.5m in the 2008/9 financial year.
Of the £13.9m Civil List purse, nearly £10m went on staff salaries.
Housekeeping and furnishings cost £700,000 and ceremonial functions cost £400,000.
A further £1.1m was spent on catering and hospitality - within this, garden parties cost £600,000, while the cost of food and the royal kitchens came to £500,000

The cost of Royal travel, which is also paid by the taxpayer, increased by £300,000 from £6.2m to £6.5m

However, the £41m total does not include security provided by the police and Army or the ceremonial duties performed by the Armed Forces

Last year it was reported that
'A security review is under way over the cost of providing police protection for junior members of the royal family.
Scotland Yard officers have expressed concern over the bill, which experts estimate now costs £50m.'

For example
Princess Eugenie, the younger daughter of Prince Andrew, (described by the Daily Mail as a 'B list Royal') has two specialist officers constantly at her side; estimated to cost £250,000 a year - including salaries, accommodation, living and travel expenses
This will continue if she goes to study in the US as she has said she wishes to.
Her older sister, Beatrice, 21, also enjoys full-time protection. She is living in a four-bedroom apartment in the royal residence of St James's Palace while studying history at Goldsmiths, University of London.