Royal wedding: Taxpayers' £½m bill - and you're not even invited

Published on Thursday 28 July 2011 18:54

TAXPAYERS are being asked to pick up a six-figure bill for tomorrow's Royal Wedding - but have been encouraged to stay away from the "private occasion".

Buckingham Palace has remained tight-lipped about celebrations which will stretch from this evening into late tomorrow.

Members of the public who hope to catch a glimpse of the couple arriving or leaving Canongate Kirk have not been told what time the ceremony is starting.

Police were not even able to say whether the couple will travel between the Kirk and Palace of Holyroodhouse by car or on foot.

What the public do know is it will cost an undisclosed figure - expected to be about 500,000 - to police the occasion, while several roads will be closed with many more facing parking restrictions.

The palace and the Royal Yacht Britannia, two of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions, will be shut off to the public at different times to allow the royal party their privacy.

The planning has led to accusations the Royal Family is stretching the warm welcome of Scotland's capital too far.

Margo MacDonald, Independent MSP for the Lothians, said: "I think they're pushing it.

"I thing most people have been very glad to see the obvious happiness that the couple have in each other and I don't think anyone wishes them any harm.

"But I, for one, wish their families had been more sensitive.

"Their wedding is a matter between them and their minister, but it is of public interest how much public money it will cost to shut off streets and arrange security - not only for the wedding itself - but presumably for the celebratory dinner at Britannia.

"No-one is begrudging them a lovely wedding, but they should be sensitive to the fact that it's costing a lot of public resources and, at a time when resources are stretched, I think they could have offered to pay a bit.

"If it had been a State wedding we would have had to accept some share of the burden, along with other cities, but they have been at pains to say it is not a royal occasion."

"It has also been a bit insensitive to give the impression that they do not want people anywhere near it. Whose city is this?

"I think if they want to come they are welcome. But they are stretching it a bit if they expect us to pick up the bill."Unlike the public spectacle of William and Kate's wedding, Miss Phillips, a showjumping champion, and her fiance, who is captain of the England rugby team, have been determined to shield their big day from the glare of publicity.

The celebrations will include a party at Britannia tonight, a ceremony in the Canongate Kirk tomorrow afternoon and a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse afterwards.

The grip on information has been so tight that it is not even known what time the party on the yacht will start.

However, bosses have taken the unusual step of closing the attraction during the day today - it is generally only booked by private parties during the evening - to prepare.

For Miss Phillips, the Queen's eldest granddaughter and 13th in line to the throne, the yacht has special significance.

She holidayed on board as a child, during holidays from Gordonstoun School, in Moray, including its final voyage before decommissioning in 1997.

Britannia officials have not said how many people have been invited but its capacity is between 300 and 350.

There will be a police presence, but few details have been given with Superintendent Ivor Marshall, who is in charge of the operation, describing it as "a very private event for members of the two respective families and their guests".

Neighbouring Ocean Terminal shopping centre has also been kept in the dark, but, with vantage views of the yacht, is hoping for a rush of tourists.

A spokeswoman said: "I'm sure we will have a few tourists heading our way, but it's a very private event and we've not been told much more than that."

The council has said Canongate and Abbey Strand will be closed from 4am tomorrow, with other roads, including parts of Abbeyhill, Calton Road and New Street being shut off later.

There will also be parking restrictions on surrounding streets, including Holyrood Road, High Street, Jeffrey Street, St Mary's Street and Abbeymount.

Supt Marshal said: "There will be a level of disruption but we are working with the local authority to minimise it. Restrictions will be lifted as soon as it is safe to do so.

"There's going to be very limited access because of the short distance from the palace to the church - it's a very finite piece of ground."

The Kirk will fit up to 400, while police estimate up to 2,000 will be able to watch from the streets. Both the police and the council have promised to keep disruption to a minimum.

A council spokeswoman said: "We regret any inconvenience the necessary arrangements may cause and would like to thank residents, businesses and visitors for their co-operation."

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: "It's a private occasion and we can't give out any details."