privy purse

n (often capitals)

1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy)

a. (in Britain) an allowance voted by Parliament for the private expenses of the monarch: part of the civil list

b. (in other countries) a similar sum of money for the monarch

2. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) an official of the royal household responsible for dealing with the monarch's private expenses. Full name: Keeper of the Privy Purse

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

priv′y purse`

a sum from the public revenues allotted to the British sovereign for personal expenses.

[1655–65]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

privy purse - allowance for a monarch's personal expenses

allowance - an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period); "travel allowance"; "my weekly allowance of two eggs"; "a child's allowance should not be too generous"

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References in periodicals archive

Sir Michael Stevens, Keeper of the Privy Purse, who is responsible for monarchy's accounts,said of Frogmore Cottage: "The property had not been the subject of work for some years and had already been earmarked for renovation in line with our responsibility to maintain the condition of the occupied royal palaces estate.

BBC Question Time audience say Meghan and Harry have 'shot themselves in foot'; A BBC Question Time audience member questioned whether Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's Frogmore Cottage renovation was value for money, saying the Royal Family have "shot themselves in the foot"

"The property had not been subject of work for some years and had already been earmarked for renovation in line with out responsibility to maintain the condition of the occupied royal palaces estate," said Michael Stevens, the Keeper of the Privy Purse and responsible for royal accounts.

Taxpayers pay 2.4 mln pounds for refurbishment of Prince Harry's and wife Meghan's home

Sir Michael Stevens, the new keeper of the Privy Purse, who oversees the monarch's finances, said: "There are three generations of the royal family at work together in support of the Queen.

Taxpayer cash to the Queen rises to [pounds sterling]45.7million to help Buckingham Palace repairs; The Sovereign Grant has been increased from [pounds sterling]42.8 million to [pounds sterling]45.7 million for official duties and renovations of Buckingham Palace

Sir Michael Stevens, the new keeper of the Privy Purse, who oversee the Monarch's finances, said: "There are three generations of the Royal Family at work together in support of the Queen.

16% pay rise for the Queen; Public pay for palace revamp

Sir Alan Reid, Keeper of the Privy Purse, said: "When you look at these accounts the bottom line is the Sovereign Grant last year equated to 65 pence per person, per annum, in the United Kingdom, that's the price of a first class stamp.

This is how much the Royal Family actually costs the taxpayer; The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will head to Coventry on January 16

Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir lan Reid said it cost everyone in the UK 65p a year.

PS40m royal flush; Queen handed massive pay rise

A review by the Royal Trustees - Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir Alan Reid - agreed that the PS369 million works should be funded from a 66 per cent increase in the Sovereign Grant.

Ten-year Buckingham Palace revamp to cost nearly PS370m

Deputy Keeper of the Privy Purse and accounting officer to the reservicing programme Mike Stevens described the plan as the "most cost-effective way to fund this essential project, by synchronising the release of funds with the phased approach to carrying out the physical works".

PS370m for Palace in 10-year refurbishment

A review by the Royal Trustees - Prime Minister Theresa May, Chancellor Philip Hammond and Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir Alan Reid - agreed that the PS369m works should be funded from a 66% increase in the Sovereign Grant.

Buckingham Palace to receive PS370m overhaul