It has been difficult to stay indoors for most people during the lockdown period but especially for those who regularly go on trips around Europe for long week-ends. Any previous plans had to be cancelled during the coronavirus days, and in London no one knows when things will go back to normal; a tragedy for the Royal Family.
A Catastrophe for the Royal Family and its Household Staff
Before the lockdown ends, and things go back to normal, the Royal budget will have lost around £18 million in revenue, which represents one-third of its total income. That is due to the fact that no visitors are allowed inside any of their residences; an important income every year for Queen Elizabeth II and her family.
You may think that they have enough money to survive but the Royal household staffs is also affected by this tragedy. They currently face a pay freeze, and future projects have been halted, which will certainly mean jobs won’t be created. Household staff is an important industry in 2020, and not just for royal families. Many have the need for butlers, drivers and chefs which can be found on this website.
Visits of Buckingham Palace
With summer rapidly coming up, normally visitors are allowed inside Buckingham Palace while the Queen spends her summer at Balmoral. This year, it’s becoming harder to imagine that the Castle will be able to open its doors to tourists, at any point in time. The Queen has been on the forefront of the crisis. She even gave a speech on national television, something she has done but a few times in her more than 65 years of reign. Therefore, she has to be very careful about reopening the doors to visitors, as this will send a strong signal, one way or another.
For now, the Royal family has suspended all but essential expenditures. The staff has been informed by the Lord Chamberlain Earl Peel (the most senior official of the royal household) that recruitment has been stopped and annual pay review pushed back. The spokesperson said that this situation could take months to go back to normal and that the financial damage could be considerable in the end.
The whole country has been affected by the coronavirus, and that includes the Royal family. But for now, it is clear that the most important thing to do for them is to follow the guidelines in the fight against COVID-19. The time to address the financial issue will come later.
Your visit to Buckingham Palace will most probably have to wait a little longer!
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