Queen Elizabeth II is ready for a massive and "urgent" home makeover but many of U.K. taxpayers are not happy footing the bill.
it was announced Friday in a statement that Buckingham Palace, a 17th century-era landmark, one of England's most famous tourist attractions and the 90-year-old ceremonial monarch's main residence, will undergo a 10-year overhaul, consisting of "essential works that include replacing electrical wiring, water pipes and the heating system, which were installed in the aftermath of the Second World War."
The cost? 369 million pounds ($457 million) of taxpayer money. To fund the project, the Royal Trustees, which include the prime minister, are seeking a temporary 10 percent increase in the Sovereign Grant, which covers the costs of running the queen's home, during the duration of the construction.
Work set to begin in April and is estimated to conclude in 2026 or 2027, after which the government would push legislation to lower the Sovereign Grant back to what it was.