We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Republic is an organisation that campaigns for the abolishment of the monarchy and for Queen Elizabeth II to be replaced with an elected, democratic head of state. Graham Smith, the organisation’s CEO, told Express.co.uk that the UK taxpayer does not owe Princess Anne, Prince Andrew or Prince Edward a house. 

Mr Smith said: “There are more than 20 royal residences and we pay for round the clock security for all of them, that needs to come to an end.

“There is some question over who owns Balmoral and Sandringham, it is sufficiently recognised that they are private properties, but they bought them with our money.

“Buckingham Palace could be a world-class tourist destination as an art gallery or museum if they opened up all the rooms and the gardens to tourists all year round.

“It already houses one of the largest art collections in the world yet most of it is hidden away.

READ MORE: Queen and Charles ordered to pay back millions to UK taxpayer – VIDEO

“The same with Windsor Castle, it could be run at a profit just like the Tower of London is and there is no reason why that should not happen.”

The Republic CEO continued: “As for all the other homes around the country, we do not owe Princess Anne a house, she can go and buy her own house.

“We do not owe Prince Andrew or Prince Edward a house, they can go and get their own homes.

“Yet we keep giving them these large extremely plush, luxurious residences in London and elsewhere at the taxpayers’ expense.

“They then require huge spending on security and there just is not any justification for that whatsoever.”

During the same interview, Mr Smith also told the Queen she cannot remain as the head of state for the UK as she is not independent or accountable.

He said: “The role of the head of state should be to protect the Constitution and act as referee in the political process.

“That would be great, but we cannot do that with the Queen because she is not independent and she is not accountable.

DON’T MISS
Prince Charles warning: Royal told ‘eccentric’ remarks will haunt him [VIDEO]
Prince Harry warning: Duke of Sussex told stay out of the US election [INSIGHT]
Queen risks Brexiteers’ fury if she ‘betrays’ Boris in EU trade row [ANALYSIS]

“If you have someone stepping in and intervening, then they also have to be accountable for the decisions they make.

“The Queen can’t do that and won’t do that.”

The Republic CEO added: “This really comes down to one of the big reason why we need to get rid of the monarchy.

“So, we can create the office of head of state and someone who can intervene and referee the political system when there are these big constitutional questions.”

Source: Read Full Article