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King Charles had an uncomfortable moment during a recent visit to Newmarket in West Suffolk when members of the public questioned him about the cost of the royal family. The event was meant to be a calm, casual outing, but things quickly turned tense when a man in the crowd shouted, “Why does your family cost us half a billion pounds a year, Charles?”
The King responded politely but briefly, saying only “ah, yes” before moving along. He didn’t stop to answer further or engage in a deeper conversation, likely because a public walkabout isn’t the best place to discuss tax and public spending.
The exchange was caught on video and posted to social media by The National. Although the hecklers weren’t seen on camera, their voices were clearly heard.
The heckling didn’t stop there. The same man later shouted another question: “Why do you only pay your gardeners minimum wage?” This referred to claims from former staff at the Highgrove estate, where 11 out of 12 gardeners reportedly left their jobs. Complaints included poor pay, injuries, and low morale.
Another voice, this time a woman, also chimed in. She asked, “Do you think it’s fair we pay £27 million a year from the Duchy of Lancaster?” The Duchy is a historic private estate that provides income to the reigning monarch. The King did not respond to this question either, at least not in a way that could be heard in the video.
As Charles walked away, the original heckler ended with, “God bless, your majesty,” though it didn’t sound entirely sincere.
The clip sparked debate online. Many social media users supported the hecklers, saying the royal family is out of touch and too expensive for taxpayers. One person wrote, “They’re laughing at us.” Others mocked the people in the crowd who cheered for the King, calling them overly loyal. Still, some viewers defended Charles. A few said the hecklers were being disrespectful, and one user said they should be arrested for insulting the Head of State.
Charles’s response, or lack of it, wasn’t unusual. The royal family usually avoids reacting to public criticism directly. But the hecklers reflect a growing group of people who feel that the royals take a lot from public funds while giving very little back in return.