Campaigners have called on the government to scrap the Sovereign Grant, the official funding of the royal family.
 
The call comes as ministers introduce legislation to introduce a whopping £50m increase to the annual grant, doubling the royals' core funding.
 
Republic is among many critics who say the grant is not fit for purpose. It has more than quadrupled in size since it was introduced in 2011 and is linked to arbitrary profits from a state-owned property portfolio, rather than based on need.
 
Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said today:
 
"When ministers are struggling to manage prisons, fund schools or fix the NHS, it is outrageous that they are planning to throw another £50m a year at the royals."
 
"The true cost of the monarchy is well in excess of half a billion pounds when everything is accounted for. That figure will continue to rise if the Sovereign Grant remains in place."
 
"By contrast, the Irish president, who performs a similar role, costs around £4m a year."
 
"The royals are taking the taxpayers for a ride, and it's time MPs stood up to them."
 
"Linking royal funding to Crown Estate profits makes no sense at all - it's all smoke and mirrors invented to suggest some legitimacy in the arrangement. The truth is this is a royal con."
 
"The monarchy is expensive because it's secretive and corrupt. While it continues to exist, its cost should be slashed to below £10m; Charles should be put on a salary like anyone else."
 
"The rest of the royals can pay their own way, including paying for their own security and palatial homes."
 
For more on royal spending, how the grant works and the true half billion cost, read Republic's Half Billion Royals report here.