LONDON, June 24 (UPI) — Queen Elizabeth may be temporarily kept from her home in Buckingham Palace as heavy-duty renovations and maintenance takes place.
The exterior of the palace is apparently falling apart, and the interior is in serious need of new wiring and plumbing. Total asbestos removal is also overdue. More than $235 million in taxpayer’s money will be needed to complete all the repairs, the BBC reports.
Much of the palace also has not been redecorated since the early 1950s.
The next closest residence the queen could call home temporarily is Windsor Castle 25 miles away.
Buckingham Palace is considered a national “working” monument where over 400 people work and many official events take place. It is a hub for diplomatic and government activity and a top tourist destination.
“To let it crumble would be a national negligence,” writes Robert Jobson of the London Evening Standard.
However, many citizens have responded with disapproval of the high-cost renovations as the newly elected conservative government preaches austerity to the public.
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