What Is a Royal Crown Family?
You’re probably wondering: who funds this whole spectacle? The answer is complicated and involves a lot of taxpayer money and rental income.
In the UK, the Crown Estate is a massive property portfolio owned by the state. The government gives a cut to the royal family. It’s called the Sovereign Grant.
So, yes, your taxes pay for the palaces. But the palaces also earn money by renting out fields and shops. It’s a weird, circular economy of tiaras and tourists.
The Crown Jewels Are Just Insurance
Ever see photos of the Crown Jewels? They’re worth billions. But they are never worn casually. They sit in the Tower of London under armed guard.
They are effectively the world’s most expensive emergency fund. If the country went bankrupt, technically, the state could sell them. But no one wants to be the guy who sold the Queen’s diamond.
Also, some of those jewels are cursed. The Hope Diamond, rumored to bring bad luck, was once part of the French crown jewels. Spooky, right?
Elizabeth II | Biography, Family, Reign, & Facts | Britannica