Queen Elizabeth II Wants A Raise

[Sionnach Glic]

LONDON (AFP) - Queen Elizabeth II asked the British government for money from a fund for poor people to help pay heating bills on her palaces, a newspaper reported Friday.

The request was rebuffed because officials feared the news would be a public relations disaster for the monarch, according to the Independent, which learned of the request under Freedom of Information legislation.

Royal aides complained to ministers in 2004 that the queen's gas and electricity bills had increased by 50 percent and were now "untenable", costing more than one million pounds (1.5 million dollars, 1.2 million euros) a year.

Aides said the 15-million-pound state grant the queen received for the upkeep of the palaces was inadequate and asked if the royal family was eligible for special funds to replace four combined heat and power units at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle.

The money would come from a government scheme to fund heating programmes that benefit people on low incomes.

According to the Independent, the then Labour government initially agreed to the idea but then changed its mind.

An official wrote to the palace pointing out the fund's intended purpose, adding: "I also feel a bit uneasy about the probable adverse press coverage if the palace were given a grant at the expense of, say, a hospital."

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on the report.

Yahoo News.

[Lighthawk]

Feared public relations disaster? Gee, ya think?

[SolkaTruesilver]

I have to say, it is a conundrum.

Do you allow the Queen to freeze, or do you underfund public services? One is about the face, the other is about the bones...

I am happy not to have that kind of problem.

Oh, wait...

[Captain Seafort]

Looking at the CAB guide, HM's eligible for the winter fuel allowance. I wonder how they define "household"?

[kostmayer]

Wonder if she gets a carers allowance for looking after Prince Phillip.

[Tsukiyumi]

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

Gotta say... how many palaces do you need?

[Tyyr]

Gotta say... how many palaces do you need?

That was my thought. If you can't keep them all heated just... ya know... close one of them.

[Reliant121]

Probably some national institution protection or some such. Besides, she rarely if ever uses Buckingham, generally Balmoral and Windsor. I think.

[Tyyr]

I don't mean get rid of it. I mean if she's not living in it why heat it? Close it up, tell the couple grounds keepers to put on a jacket and don't blow the money.

[USSEnterprise]

Must be nice to be able to go up to the government and say you spent all your money and ask for more and actually have them say yes initially

Sweet, Lt jg now!

[IanKennedy]

Must be nice to be able to go up to the government and say you spent all your money and ask for more and actually have them say yes initially

Everyone in Britain can do that. It's called Social Security.

Sweet, Lt jg now!

Congrats on the jg...

[RK_Striker_JK_5]

What about turning it into a museum and charge for tours? Would that help with the upkeep?

[Reliant121]

I think parts of Buckingham palace do open for revinue....Not that I pay much attention, I've never been to London. Just gone around.

[Mikey]

Doesn't she have some pretty famous jewelry she could hock?