Royal Bind

London dock workers last week started a collection to buy Prince Philip a polo pony. Newspaper columnists suggested that Queen Elizabeth save on household expenses by reusing tea leaves. Cartoonists depicted the royal family as hocking the crown jewels or renting out some of Buckingham Palace's 600 rooms. Parliament debated a subject that the House almost always discreetly avoids--the state of the Queen's finances.

The furor was started by Prince Philip. While on a visit to the U.S. earlier this month, he was asked on television if the Queen was having trouble making ends meet on her allowance of $1,140,000 per year. "We go into the red next year," replied Philip. He added that he might have to give up polo, and the royal family "may have to move into smaller premises."

The royal family has already been economizing somewhat. To avoid the high prices of London food shops, the palace has begun purchasing food from a military commissary. Only last month, Philip sold his 63-ft. yawl Bloodhound. Whenever the Queen moves from one residence to another, she takes most of the staff with her to avoid having to keep servants at several places.

Even so, inflation and the pound's revaluation have cut heavily into her income, which was set at its present level 18 years ago. Her commitments have remained heavy. Queen Elizabeth maintains two of her official residences, and each year must stage numerous ceremonies. She entertains a total of 24,000 official guests a year and must meet a payroll of 300 employees. The Queen could reduce her expenses by shutting down the Royal Mews, the part of Buckingham Palace that houses the state coaches, carriages, horses and cars. To do so, however, would seriously dim the luster of regal elegance that now surrounds the monarchy.

Many Britons were annoyed that Philip talked about the royal family's financial problems on American TV. Some found it hard to sympathize with their plight. William Hamilton, a staunchly antimonarchist Labor M.P., may indeed have reflected the views of overtaxed Britons when he asked: "Does nobody at Buckingham Palace know that millions of loyal subjects are struggling to live on less than it costs to keep the royal corgis?" They are the short-legged dogs that the Queen breeds.

Prime Minister Harold Wilson promised that following the next elections, which by law need not be held before spring 1971, he would appoint a commission to decide whether the Queen should be given a raise. One member of the royal family already received a pay hike. Prince Charles, who last week marked his 21st birthday at a palace party at which the ladies were allowed to wear pants suits, is now entitled to the full $528,000 annual income from the Duchy of Cornwall, half of which he will generously turn back to the national treasury.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.