Morning:
10°c
Princess Beatrice's university digs have cost the taxpayer £250,000, it was revealed today.
The money was spent on redecorating a four-bedroom apartment at St James's Palace for her to use while studying at Goldsmiths College.
The 20-year-old, who started a three-year history of art course last September, moved into the apartment after a new kitchen and two new bathrooms were installed and a wood floor was laid in two reception rooms.
The bill has been condemned by campaign groups. Susie Squire of the Taxpayers' Alliance said: "Many taxpayers will find this unjustifiable, not least because Princess Beatrice does not carry out official engagements."
Graham Smith of the campaign group Republic added: "This bill eclipses any put in by MPs in their expenses. The level of scrutiny being given to MPs' expenses should apply to royal spending."
In the last year taxpayers have funded a series of official trips for royal family members including two tours by Prince Charles at a cost of £700,000 each.
A senior royal aide today defended the money spent on Beatrice's flat. "The apartment had been used by a member of household staff. It's a normal apartment which was on our list for improvements for some time.
"It coincided with the princess going to university in London."
Reader views (16)
As a student myself, I find this absouloutely disgusting. As some people have already mentioned, you could buy a brand new place for that money. Why should she get special treatment when she isnt even doing what some would regard a worthwhile course! At the end of the day there are thousands of mr joe bloggs out there struggling to keep a roof over their head, what sort of message does this send to them? If you are the people's royals you should actually see what it's like to be 'the people'
- Kayleigh, surrey, england
The royal family are a drain on our economy.There is no place for them anymore.
- Steve, London
Her father has never done a day's work in his life yet he allegedly receives £250,000 p.a. from the queen. For doing what? Isn't it time he exercised parental responsibility and started providing for his two pub crawling daughters? It is tax payers' money which is funding the lavish lifestyles enjoyed by Andrew and his parasitic offspring. Has he no sense of shame? No self respect? No thought for those of us who work full-time to pay for our children to go to university? Are we to provide for these two girls for the rest of their lives?
- R.F., Yorks, UK
Sorry don't agree, one bedroom studio should survice. My niece and nephew are paying £500 a month to rent near a uni and have to work as well to pay for it. Also I have to give them handouts on top of there parents to help them get a good education. Shouldn't be allowed for her or her parents not to contribute.
- C Cusano, Bedford
I should imagine that putting her in a flat within the security foot-print of an existing operation is going to be far, far cheaper than setting up security in a university Halls of Residence. At the end of the day she is at risk of being attack because of who she is, and that is not her own fault: if the public would stop reading dim magazines like 'Hello' which keep publishing her photo and location she could lead a normal life. £250k is a drop in the Ocean compared to the security measures used to protect, say, Salmon Rushdie, or John Prescott. It's unfortunate it has to be done, but that's the price of a vacuous society which celebrates celebrity and violence.
- Roz, France
She should get a job at macdonalds at £5.75 an hour and then see how hard money is to come by. Sorry but I have no time for Royalty, time to become a republic and boot all these cheating and swindling people (MPs included) out.
- C Cusano, Bedford
I'm not anti Royal in the slightest but even I balk at the idea of spending such vast sums of taxpayers money in this way. I would also like to know why as a student she needs a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment - larger than most taxpayers family homes! If she is sharing her "student digs" then I trust that the taxypayer is receiving a suitable rental income.
- Mandy, London
That's a drop in the ocean compared to what we've shelled out. and are still shelling out, for the Blair family.
- Gloria G, London, UK
This is on top of the £250,000 for police protection that we know about. If the Queen wants to save some money, she really needs to get her son to start coughing up. What did they spend £250,000 on when there are so many tradesmen out of work? We deserve to see a breakdown of the costs of this refurbishment, as we have paid for it.
- Sonia M., St Albans, Herts
Shred the civil list, especially where that fat gingers of-spring are concerned.
".. three-year history of art course .." ~ Great, looks like the tax payer will be carrying this waster for the rest of her life.
From: A hard working tax payer still trying to get on the housing ladder.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
..was that figure not GBP 300k in the Daily Mail a few moments ago?
The money spent on these parasitic halfwits is just beyond belief.
- Weddigen, London SW3
For that amount of money, she could have bought a flat in New Cross, a mere 5mns walk away from Goldsmiths college, which would have saved further monies on chauffering and all.
- Chaz, London, UK
Is such an expense wholly necessary in this recession?
There does appear to be plenty of cash available for MP's, Lords and Royalty - and Joe Public does not count.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK
An absolute total waste of money. This extravegance must STOP.
- Rod, Epping, UK
Kensington Palace is nowhere near New Cross and Goldsmiths College.
The money might have been more wisely spent buying a her a flat in Deptford. She could also then see how normal people live.
- George, London
Now I would consider myself a royalist, but this is ridiculous. A quarter of a million pounds to refurbish a flat? That's way over the top and as is pointed out she does not even carry out official engagements so should not benefit from the civil list or public monies.
- Mark, London
