Royal visits to towns and cities around the UK usually cost the local council, police and other local public bodies thousands of pounds.

Research by Republic has shown cash-strapped local councils spend more than £22m a year on royal visits.

The costs will vary depending on the royal involved, however a visit by the Queen to Leicester in 2012 was estimated to cost the local authorities more than £180,000.

A recent YouGov poll showed that 57% of people believe these costs should be met by the royal family.