The King’s two state Bentleys will be converted to biofuel over the next year as part of a broader push for sustainability. In the long run, the plan is to transition to a fleet of official electric vehicles. The Royal Household’s annual accounts, released on Wednesday, highlighted a series of new environmentally friendly initiatives. The Sovereign Grant, which funds the monarchy’s operational expenses, including official visits and residences, remained at £86.3 million for 2023-24, the same as the previous year.
King Charles, who has long championed climate issues, is showing his commitment to sustainability in his reign. Windsor Castle will soon feature solar panels for the first time, and Buckingham Palace’s gas lanterns will be upgraded with new electrical fittings to enhance energy efficiency while preserving their historic appearance. Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, stated that these environmental efforts reflect a determination to embed sustainability into royal operations, inspired by the King’s leadership.
The annual accounts, delayed by a month due to the General Election, also noted that the royal household would receive two new helicopters to replace the existing 15-year-old models. These helicopters are crucial for the King and royal family to fulfill their engagements and access remote parts of the UK. Additionally, efforts are being made to increase the use of sustainable aviation fuel for royal flights when possible.
The report showed a 3% reduction in natural gas and heating emissions across the Royal Estates, though total greenhouse gas emissions slightly rose from the previous year, mainly due to increased business travel. A £369 million, 10-year project to repair Buckingham Palace is ongoing. An independent National Audit Office (NAO) report indicated that the renovation work was generally well-managed but noted that some cost increases due to structural damage and asbestos could have been anticipated. The report confirmed that 82% of operational improvements were complete.
Frogmore Cottage, the former home of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, remains vacant over a year after their departure, with no new tenants in the Grade II property. The financial period covered, from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, includes the coronation of the King and Queen, but also a challenging time for the royal family, marked by the King and Princess of Wales’s cancer diagnoses. Sir Michael Stevens acknowledged the impact of these health issues on royal engagements but highlighted the King’s continued public duties and the Princess’s recent participation in significant events like the King’s Birthday Parade and Wimbledon.
Overall, royal family members undertook over 2,300 official engagements in the UK and abroad, compared to over 2,700 the previous year. Despite his diagnosis, King Charles carried out 464 engagements, including a state visit to Kenya that cost £167,000. Sir Michael emphasized that, despite the challenges, the Royal Household continued to function effectively, with the King and Queen adapting their public roles as needed.
