The Royal Train: Why the Queen's beloved mode of transport's 'days are numbered'

(Image credit: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)

By Georgia Farquharson 2021-07-02T10:33:28Z

The Queen's Royal Train's days could be numbered after a financial expert has warned it's "not financially viable".

The Queen's Royal Train is her favoured mode of transport.
Now a financial expert has said the train is "not really financially viable" for the Queen.
It follows royal news that Meghan Markle's 'proud' uncle has died aged 81.

The Queen's beloved Royal Train has previously been saved from the scrapheap after MP's questioned how cost-effective Her Majesty's favourite mode of transport was in 2003.

But now, 18 years later and the Royal Train could be set for the same fate as a financial expert has suggested it's simply not "financially viable" for the Queen anymore.

Red flags were raised after the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's festive royal tour of Scotland last year. Their first engagement since the beginning of the global pandemic.

Evaluating the cost of that trip—as revealed in the annual Sovereign Grant Report, David McLure told Mail Plus' Palace Confidential, "William and Kate on one single rail journey to Scotland spent £49,000.

"Interestingly it was the only time the royal train was used this year. Last year it was only used three times. So it's not really financially viable."

Given the staggering cost per trip, he added, "In the future, its days must be numbered."

The Sovereign Grant is a pot of money used to pay for the royal family's official work and the upkeep of their properties and is partially funded by UK tax-payer's money.

So it's no surprise the figure cannot just keep escalating without a thought for those funding it.

And, according to David McLure, it's not just travel that The Sovereign Grant pays for.

He explained, "The Sovereign Grant does not include all the costs of the monarchy."

"It doesn't include say the cost of local councils for organising visits by members of the Royal Family."

Perhaps that's why there are rumors that when Prince Charles ascends the throne, he has plans to "streamline the Monarchy" and "ditch" some close relatives, in a bid to reduce costs.

The Prince of Wales is reportedly keen for change when he becomes King and will likely want to adjust the way the royal family is structured.

Royal biographer, Angela Levin, recently revealed, "Prince Charles has wanted for a very long time to cut the monarchy down to save costs and to make people be worth the money that they got from the taxpayer,” she explained.

It could see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex completely cut from the royal family following their decision to step back as senior members as well as other members of the "outer edge".

"I imagine that that might be when Harry and Meghan are ditched from being members of the Royal Family," Angela added.

"I think the outer edge, which the Queen has wanted to keep together for a very long time for sentimental reasons."

"But he wants to change and I think he will do that."

Georgia Farquharson

Georgia studied Print Journalism at university in Nottingham, England before going on to work on several leading celebrity magazines, as well as freelance writing for international magazine Grazia Middle East. An enthusiastic, hard-working and ambitious writer, Georgia recently launched her own communications consultancy, farq media. As Director and Founder, Georgia helps businesses with their Public Relations strategy, as well as influencer and celebrity marketing. She also represents several influencers of her own. She lives with this motto in mind; "if your dreams don't scare you, they aren't big enough."