The Royal Family of the United Kingdom is financed in a number of different ways. Its main source of income is the Sovereign Grant (the Civil List until 2012), which currently costs £86.3 million a year. This comes in the form of a grant from the government that meets the costs of the royal residences, staffing, travel and state visits, public engagements, and official entertainment.

Since its introduction in 1993, the Buckingham Palace Summer Opening allows visitors a rare opportunity to explore the State Rooms of the monarch’s official London residence. 2024 was a record-breaking year for Buckingham Palace, which welcomed the most visitors in the history of its summer opening.

Did you know that much of modern-day London is built on reclaimed marshland? In Roman times the Thames flowed through vast wetlands—possibly five times wider than it is today. London, which began as the small Roman settlement of Londinium, expanded rapidly during the Middle Ages, driven largely by farmers reclaiming marshes, building embankments, and, in some cases, property owners pushing into the river for coveted waterfront land. Yet, amidst the sprawling urban jungle, there exists a peaceful haven—a nature reserve that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle. Welcome to the London Wetland Centre.