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The Queen's annual spending soared by around 13 per cent last year as renovations began at Buckingham Palace.

Taxpayers stumped up £47.4million for the Sovereign Grant – up from £41.9million – to cover staff, travel and property maintenance.

On top of that, the Queen’s own income soared by 16 per cent to £45.7million for the financial year to spring 2018.

Buckingham Palace said the total cost was 69p per person in the UK.

It did not include the £30.4million of Crown Estate profits put towards the £369million improvements to the palace.

Separate figures show the Crown Estate provided £329.4million to the Treasury.

According to the Buckingham Palace data, the Queen’s net expenditure rose £5.5million to £47.4million for the year 2017/18. This included £22.6million for property maintenance – up from £17.8million

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.

“Each generation brings its own style and personality. What everyone shares is a desire for the monarchy to reflect and serve all parts of our country and the wider Commonwealth.”

The accounts reveal travel rose from £4.5million to £4.7million, the most ­expensive trip being £362,149 for the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall to visit India, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore.