The cost to taxpayers of the entire Royal Family is about the same as one loaf of bread per year. In return we get an honest, vastly experienced, and non-political Head of State who is respected worldwide and much loved. The Queen runs her affairs on a shoestring compared to "her" government.

Tom Welsh, Basingstoke,

Would we too let het eat cake?

Nicholas Xenakis, Borough, London, England, Britain

Sell the great works of art? Sell other houses to pay for this? Borrow to pay for upkeeping the palaces? What nonsense? Are the palaces not national property? She does not own them. They should be paid for by the government. As for funding through fees: no big national sites can be self-sufficient!

Edwin Heng, Singapore, Singapore

Is there anything to stand in the Queen's way if she were to borrow the money she needs... or raise the cash by selling a few of her unneeded personal possessions? There is precedent for Royalty borrowing money is there not?
Was it not not James VI of Scotland who borrowed from Heriot the Goldsmith?

C. U. JAMES, GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

Why doesn't she dip into her Coutts account and pay for it herself? She did after all have all those years without paying tax and even now doesn't pay what the rest of us would have to with her wealth. I can't say I have any sympathy. Hard up? Sell a couple of houses. I wish I could.

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

Concern is also mounting over the need to fix leaks in the roof of the palace Picture Gallery, which houses works by Rubens, Rembrandt and Canaletto.

So why not sell a couple,, even selling one painting would show willing

Lets face it ,,,The Queen is one of the richest women in the world,

Nicholas Iles, Oswestry, Shropshire

Why are complainers always so poorly informed? The vast majority of her "wealth" is not disposable income or even cash. Its paintings, houses, art, etc. Items that cannot be sold and that are in most cases part of the Nations Cultural wealth. Crown Estates pay tax to the tune of hundreds of millions

Mal, Yeovil,

Maybe she should sell the Rembrandt.

Larry, Eugene, Oregon, USA

The Queen retains the right to disband the government... it is a travesty that she has not exercised this option yet. Perhaps the new plans to limit Royal subsistence will persuade her otherwise.

kiereann, Manchester, UK

The image our Head of State projects to foreign diplomats and investors should be of the greatest importance to all citizens of this United Kingdom. We are citizens of a great country, and that greatness should be reflected in royal buildings fit for the twenty-first century.

Ben, Hampshire, UK

The Queen is one of the richest women in the world, and Buckingham Palace is her home. Why doesn't she give something back to her country and foot the bill?

Jacqui, Dallas, USA

The Royalty - asking for money from the State, - sets a poor example for the large number of people who find accepting welfare when not necessary to be, honorable. Anyone of substance pays-their-own-way, assuming they are capable. That's the bottom line - equality.

Robert Shields II, London, UK

Throughout Britain you can find stately homes in disrepair. Her homes need upkeep like everyones , these are far costlier to maintain. Windsor is not owned by the sovereign personally & is used for state/government events .The soverign can't simply take out a home improvement loan especially at 7%!

Jason Pearson, Toronto, Canada