The King and Queen are heading home after a bumper tour of Australia and Samoa – but should the UK taxpayers foot the bill for these tours? Vote here.

King Charles and Queen Camilla board a jet

The King and Queen board a jet from Australia bound for Samoa (Image: Getty)

King Charles and Queen Camilla wrapped up their biggest royal tour since taking the throne this weekend, with a bumper visit to Australia and Samoa covering more than 35 official engagements.

But while the tour has been viewed largely as a success, it has raised the question that has often been asked over the years: is it right for the taxpayer to fund tours of this nature?

Royal tours are funded by the Sovereign Grant, which is a yearly taxpayer-funded settlement via the Treasury.

The Sovereign Grant — which, between 2022 and 2023, was worth £86.3million — is used mostly to fund the expenses of official royal duties, such as the tour.

But do you think this is a good use of taxpayer money? Vote here and join the debate in the comments below. Can’t see the poll? Click here. 

The cost of this royal tour has not been made public yet, but the sheer number of personnel involved, travel, security and hospitality has estimates well over the £1million mark.

This will all be funded by the Sovereign Grant, which is assigned by the Treasury each year based on profits coming in from the Crown Estate — a property business owned by the monarchy.

The vast majority is spent on the upkeep of properties and staff costs.