Royal Train To Be Decommissioned In Cost-Cutting Measures
The iconic Royal Train, a symbol of British monarchy travel since the era of Queen Victoria, is set to be retired by 2027. Buckingham Palace announced that the decision comes as part of a broader effort to modernize and reduce expenses, with King Charles III supporting the move to prioritize "fiscal discipline" and “value for money.” The nine-carriage train, last refurbished in the 1980s, has seen limited use recently, and the maintenance costs are considered too high to justify continuing its operation. Instead, the royal family will shift to regular train services and new helicopters for official travel.
The announcement coincided with the release of the Royal Family’s annual finances, revealing a steady Sovereign Grant of £86.3 million for 2024-25, with a planned increase to £132 million for two years to cover Buckingham Palace renovations. Royal travel costs rose to £4.7 million, including a notable £400,000 trip to Australia and Samoa. The Palace emphasized that while public funding has stayed flat, inflation has eroded its value. Critics, like the anti-monarchy group Republic, continue to call for greater transparency and question the overall public expense of the monarchy, especially with costs such as security excluded from official figures.
James Chalmers, responsible for royal finances, said, “In moving forwards we must not be bound by the past," highlighting the palace’s push to adapt to modern times. The train will make a final tour around the UK before being retired, with hopes that the carriages may eventually be displayed for the public. The Royal Train, once a beloved fixture of national life, will soon take its last journey, marking the end of a historic chapter in royal travel.
